BELLEVUE, WA (May 1, 2006) – Newport Covenant Church, known for its live nativity every Christmas, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on May 21.<\/p>\n
A dinner-dance will be held at 7 p.m. May 20. The next morning, Dr. Glenn Palmberg, president of the Evangelical Covenant Church, will speak during each of the worship services at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. A reunion choir made up of past and present choirs will perform and a picnic lunch will follow.<\/p>\n
Newport Covenant began as a Sunday school in Factoria during the 1930s and used classroom space in the brick Factoria School until 1942, when the military turned the facility into a training center. The Sunday school reopened following World War II, but the church was not officially chartered until 1956. The congregation moved after construction of Interstate 405 separated the church building from the rest of the Bellevue community.<\/p>\n
The current property was purchased in 1964 and the church changed its name to Newport Covenant Church. By 1967 a building had been constructed on the new site and the congregation moved to its new location.<\/p>\n
Over the years, the church has grown and the facilities have expanded with it. The changes have included the recently renovated sanctuary, library, offices and a family center complete with gymnasium, stage, kitchen and classrooms. Newport Covenant holds many events for the community including English as a second language courses and Alpha discipleship training. It also provides space for the Newport Covenant Christian Preschool.<\/p>\n
To purchase tickets for the Saturday evening dinner or for more information regarding the weekend festivities, contact Arlene Bemben by telephone at 425-746-2681 or by email at abemben@comcast.net. Information also is available by contacting Mel or Janet McIntyre by telephone at 425-747-4834 or by email at mcintyremeljanet@aol.com.<\/p>\n