History of Prairieview

Prairieview Covenant Church traces its roots back to 1884, when a group of Swedish immigrant families began gathering in homes and barns near Star Prairie, Wisconsin. United by their love for Jesus and a desire to live as “Mission Friends”, they formally organized in 1890 as the Swedish Christian Mission Church of Star Prairie. They would quickly become known for providing vibrant ministry to children, youth, and the local community. After over a century of faithful worship and mission, the church stepped into a new chapter. In 2001, led by a small group of members and the generosity of many, the congregation relocated to our current home on the corner of Highway 65 and 210th Avenue, and Prairieview Covenant Church was born.

Over the decades, this congregation has experienced many seasons of growth, as well as seasons of hardship. And yet, through it all, God has been faithful. Today, over 135 years later, we give thanks! Not for buildings or names, but for the generations of faith that came before us and the mission that still compels us to follow Jesus, to love our neighbors, and to invite others into the hope of the gospel. As we look ahead, may Prairieview continue to be a light in our community; a church grounded in God’s Word, alive in His Spirit, and faithful in His mission. To God be the glory; past, present, and future.

For a much more detailed journey of our church history, make sure to visit the display case in our fellowship hall!

What is the Covenant?

Prairieview Covenant Church is part of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) denomination. Founded in 1885 by Swedish immigrants, they have become a growing multi-ethnic denomination of over 850 churches across the United States and Canada. In the Evangelical Covenant Church, our essential beliefs are summed up in what we call "The Covenant Affirmations". These statements provide the shared convictions that unite us and guide how we live out God’s mission together. The six affirmations are:

The Evangelical Covenant Church affirms the centrality of the Word of God, meaning we believe that the Bible is the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct. We acknowledge Scripture as the revelation of God's truth to humanity, guiding us in our daily walk with Christ. As a community, we are committed to studying, preaching, and living out the Word; allowing it to shape our beliefs and actions. This sincere study and reliance on the Bible is what has led us to affirm both men and women as leaders and ordained ministers at every level of leadership. It is what led us to affirm an orthodox view of human sexuality and marriage. And it is the inspiration for our every act of compassion, mercy, and justice among all people.
The Evangelical Covenant Church affirms the necessity of the new birth, emphasizing that a personal transformation through faith in Jesus Christ is essential for salvation. The Apostle Paul wrote, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17, TNIV). This new birth marks the beginning of a life renewed by the Holy Spirit, enabling us to live in fellowship with God. But the new birth is only the beginning. Growing to maturity in Christ is a lifelong process for both individuals and communities of believers. God forms and transforms us; and it is through people transformed by Christ that God transforms the world.
The Evangelical Covenant Church is committed to the whole mission of the church, encompassing evangelism, discipleship, and service in our communities and beyond. Early Covenanters were known as “Mission Friends” who came together to carry out God’s mission both far and near. We believe that our calling is to share the love of Christ in both word and deed, making a difference in the world by addressing spiritual and physical needs. This holistic approach to ministry reflects our dedication to living out the gospel fully, with a heart for justice, compassion, and transformation.
The Evangelical Covenant Church affirms the importance of being a fellowship of believers, where we find support, encouragement, and accountability in our journey of faith. The church is not an institution, organization, or building. It is a grace-filled fellowship of believers who participate in the life and mission of Jesus Christ. We are called to live in community, sharing life together and building one another up in love. In this fellowship, we grow deeper in our relationship with Christ and with each other, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. In addition, we believe in the priesthood of all believers; that is, we all share in the ministry of the church to fulfill Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19). Membership in the Covenant Church is by confession of personal faith in Jesus Christ and is open to all believers. We observe baptism and Holy Communion as sacraments commanded by Jesus.
The Evangelical Covenant Church emphasizes a deep dependence on the Holy Spirit, recognizing that it is through the Spirit's power that we are guided, empowered, and transformed. We believe in the Trinitarian understanding of one God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we experience the new birth, Jesus tells us that we are given the Holy Spirit who works in us to reveal God's truth, convict us of sin, form us into the image of Christ, and equip us for ministry (John 14:15-31). Our reliance on the Spirit ensures that our actions and decisions align with God's will, leading us to live out our faith with boldness and compassion.
The Evangelical Covenant Church celebrates the freedom we have in Christ, recognizing that through Him, we are liberated from the power of sin and death. This freedom allows us to live fully in God’s grace, embracing our identity as His beloved children and experiencing unity with the body of Christ. Because of this unity, we honor the freedom to disagree on non-essential matters where the biblical and historical record seems to allow for a variety of interpretations of the will and purposes of God, valuing unity in diversity as we seek to live out our faith together (Rom 14-15). Still bound by the other six affirmations, this freedom is what leads us to embracing the tension of differing views regarding infant baptism, the timing of the second coming of Christ, the nature of the atonement, and other various matters of life and practice. While we will seek to understand what Scripture says about these matters, we in the Covenant Church will focus on what unites us as followers of Christ, rather than on what divides us.