History
Covenant began in 1952 with eleven members. Services were conducted in a store building on Hinton Avenue. The congregation built a new church on Altavista Avenue and moved into it in January 1955. Construction completed after the move included a parsonage and an annex with classrooms and a fellowship hall. In 1980 the congregation again relocated to an educational facility on Rio Road, with the new parsonage being completed a year later.
Pastor Harold L. Bare, Sr., assumed the pastorate in September of 1981, and construction began immediately on the sanctuary, additional classrooms and fellowship hall. Services in the new sanctuary were held on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1982.
Since 1982, ministries have steadily expanded. A strong emphasis on foreign missions predicated a growing missions effort for the local community. Ministries to the elderly, handicapped, imprisoned, etc., evolved. The burden for people enlarged to include other churches, retired ministers, American Indians, and pioneering new churches.
In March 1996 Covenant moved their worship services into a new 500-seat auditorium built adjacent to the older structure. The new facility also includes a full size Gymnasium and recreation area.
In 2002 Covenant Church celebrated 50 years of worldwide ministry, as well as 20 years of Pastor & Laila Bare's leadership of the local body. We are grateful for the mighty blessings of God upon this congregation.
Today, Covenant Church averages about 800 in Sunday morning attendance. We are trans-cultural, crossing ethnic, racial, social and economic barriers. Our missions heart leads us to assist and encourage brothers and sisters around the globe.
