Evangelical Church Alliance - History

History

The ECA was established in 1887 by the Reverend C.S. Hanley in Shenadoah, Iowa as the World's Faith Missionary Association (WFMA).

As with similar organizations of such an age, the ECA has scant documentary history. However, a letter from C.S. Hanley's wife Minnie still exists, which provides some evidence of the initial vision of the organisation.

"My darling husband truly had a world vision of bringing Christian leadership into harmonious relation to each other. . . The World's Faith Missionary Association was organized and equipped for this purpose."

Soon after the death of C.S. Hanley, a decision was made by the board of WFMA to divest the organisation. However, the WFMA was re-established in two locations by separate groups within the organization. Each claimed the support of Mrs. Hanley.

Rev. C.S. Osterhus organized the WFMA in Robbinsdale, Minnesota while another portion of membership under the leadership of Dr. Montgomery organized in Webster Groves, Missouri. In the case of the latter, the name "Fundamental Ministerial Association" was chosen in 1931 to reflect the organization's basis of unity and to distinguish the organization from the WFMA in Minnesota.

On July 21, 1958 during the annual convention at Trinity Seminary and Bible College in Chicago, Illinois, a more comprehensive constitution was created and the name was changed to The Evangelical Church Alliance.

The ECA's membership includes over 2,400 constituents. Its official website describes its motto as being: "In things essential, unity; in things nonessential, liberty and in all things, charity."