Peter Johnson, History Museum Board Member

A major side benefit of working as a reporter for nearly 40 years is getting to know folks around town. One of the most unforgettable, friendly, and significant men I covered and got to know personally was Reverend Phillip Caldwell, who died last June (2022), six years after his beloved wife of 62 years, Mac Caldwell. A retired Air Force chief master sergeant (top NCO rank), Caldwell founded Mount Olive Christian Fellowship church in 1985 and served as senior pastor of that joyous church with its upbeat music for more than 35 years. Before starting the non-denominational church, Caldwell was a prominent insurance agent who loved refereeing college, high school, and city league sports. He served on several community, state, and regional boards, giving a black man’s perspective to social justice issues. Caldwell also was instrumental in Montana adopting the federal Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

I got to know Reverend Caldwell, or Phil as he was widely known, while covering his civic involvement and speeches, including several eloquent talks on MLK Day. I observed his quiet, bemused leadership while refereeing the City League games in which I played. And got some sound personal advice after he observed my sad demeanor during my divorce. But even fond memories begin to fade. So, I decided to freshen my recollections of Caldwell – and learn a lot more – by researching his life in the old Tribune News Files, which are now stored at the Cascade County Historical Society, with the help of archives administrator Megan Sanford.

(While the files are still being sorted into a more usable order, Sanford can provide assistance for those who call in advance.)

*Great Falls Tribune Clipping, January 20, 1992*

At the bottom of this article are some of the Great Falls Tribune stories about Caldwell during February’s Black History Month.

And here are a few of the nuggets from those Tribune stories:

The church grew and moved from a handful to more than 100 parishioners, most with Malmstrom Air Force Base connections, Caldwell said in a Dec. 20, 1987, story. It’s nondenominational because its members came from different church families. Besides, “Peter didn’t even know what a denomination was,” Phil quipped.

Caldwell, the son of a Louisiana preacher, was drawn to preaching and gave up his insurance business and officiating after a serious illness in early 1985. “All of us have to go through a Damascus Road experience,” he said. “We have to be brought as low as possible before we can rise.” Caldwell relied on Black culture in his preaching.

Stories from the Great Falls Tribune

*Great Falls Tribune Clipping, February 21, 1985,* 3B

*Great Falls Tribune Clipping, February 21, 1985,* 4B

*Great Falls Tribune Clipping, December 20, 1987*

The community of Great Falls showed its appreciation for Caldwell and his congregation in November 1995, after vandals spray painted racial graffiti on the front of Mount Olive church. About 200 people braced a cold wind and falling temperatures the next day to mount a small rally with supportive signs and speeches at the church. “This is the kind of place Great Falls is,” Caldwell said, gesturing toward the crowd. “This is an invitation to solidarity.”