USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 40
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The Presbyterian and Congregational churches, though first in the field.
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struggled along for years, hardly holding their own. The membership was small and it was difficult for both, so separated, to maintain themselves and render service to the community required from these organizations. .
The idea of uniting the two churches and thus pooling their issues was periodically broached, but always came to naught because of the feud spirit reaching back through the years of their history. But the mere suggestion of union was a good symptom and indicated the dying out of old denominational jealousies, but enough of the sectarian troubles still lingered in the hearts or heads of the early bigots to prevent the consummation of so desirable a plan.
Not one in ten of the opponents to the union could tell the difference between the two churches. There is, practically, no difference outside the systems of church polity, nonessentials at most. While old personal differ- ences were being forgotten by the younger generations, still the taint was there, and the idea of a merger wherein one name would have to be dropped, was an obstacle hard to overcome. The value of souls seemed insignificant to that of the name, and all attempts at union failed.
In 1910 Rev. Archibald J. Herries, D. D., of Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, was called to the pastorate of the Presbyterian church. He was a man about fifty-five years of age, of great learning, liberal ideas, and a graduate of the Western Theological Seminary, l'ittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The saving of men and leading the rising generation into ways of right thoughts and right living was more important in his eyes than any dogma or name attached to a particular church organization. He had not been here long before he had sized up the situation existing between the Presbyterian and Congregational churches. He saw the forces for good split up, divided and dissipated in the attempt to maintain two weak and struggling churches, both a unit as to fundamental doctrines, and only separated by some immaterial questions of polity.
He soon learned the history of the two churches from the beginning, and appreciated the tenacity with which each adhered to its own name. He did not attempt to overcome the prejudice, but conceived a plan for the federation of the two whereby each would retain its own name and corporate organi- zation, but unite in church services, Sunday schools and all auxiliary organiza- tions. With great tact and skill he unfolded his plans to the more liberal and less prejudiced members of each church and succeeded in having. a plan adopted whereby the two would federate for a period of three years.
His project provided for a board of managers, six in number, to be elected by the joint federation. The budget plan of financing was adopted; all funds were to be turned into the treasury of the federation, and the sepa- rate benevolences of each church paid by the treasurer, as assessed and required of each according to membership. Sunday services were to be held
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in the Congregational church building and the mid-week meetings at the Presbyterian church. Other details were worked out in a like simple way and both organizations adopted, at their separate meetings, the plan proposed. It was named the Federated church of Fergus Falls.
At the end of the three years, May 1, 1914, the churches extended the federation for five years more. When the first federation period ended, Doctor Herries after he accomplished his work of uniting the two churches in the manner named, deemed it best for all concerned to resign his pastorate, which he did to the deep regret of his many friends. He returned to Pennsyl- vania and is now pastor of the Presbyterian church at New Milford in that state. The monument that stands to the credit of Doctor Herries is a pros- perous and progressive church; a congregation limited to the seating capacity of the building; a good organist and choir, recognized as among the finest in northern Minnesota; a flourishing Sunday school; other auxiliary organiza- tions including the Ladies' Federated Society, Ladies' Missionary Society, Senior Christian Endeavor Society, Junior Endeavor Society, and Boy Scouts; a financial condition hitherto unknown in either congregation, and lastly a united and enthusiastic body of workers never before known in the American churches of Fergus Falls.
The success of the federation has created much interest in other locali- ties throughout the state where like conditions exist; and many inquiries are received from other churches looking towards a like union. It is to be hoped that the common-sense movement inaugurated in Fergus Falls by Doctor Herries may prove to have been seed sown on good ground, and yield abundantly.
Rev. F. T. Ferry of Claremont, Minnesota, was called as pastor of the Federated church in January, 1915.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF FERGUS FALLS.
The First Congregational church of Fergus Falls, the second religious denomination to effect an organization in the town, dates its official beginning from March 3, 1872. The moving spirit in the organization of the church was Rev. L. Wolfsen who became the first pastor and continued in charge of the congregation until it was well organized. The charter members were Rev. L. Wolfsen, Mr. and Mrs. M. V. Austin, Mr. and Mrs. Newton H. Chittenden, Mrs. W. B. Warn, Mrs. E. W. Sims and Mrs. Frick.
For the first year or two the congregation was too weak to attempt the building of a church and held its services at the homes of its members or in halls in various parts of the town. At one time services were held in a hall over a saloon. This place of worship was soon abandoned as the cracks in the floor tempted the devout to look through and see drinks served to the
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ungodly by the bartenders in the room below. The first building was erected about the middle of the seventies on the site where the present brick structure stands on the corner of Union and Summit avenues.
It has been impossible to tell from the records the length of service of the several pastors who have had charge of the church since it was organ- ized, but it is certain that they served in the following order: L. Wolfson, George A. Hood, D. Goodsell, J. E. Higgins, W. L. Sutherland, Henry N. Kinney, J. F. Taintor, C. E. Page, W. L. Sutherland, C. M. G. Haywood, W. C. A. Waller, J. W. Todd, Edward L. Brooks and H. S. Wiley. Reverend Wiley was pastor of the church in 1871 when it federated with the Presby- terian church in Fergus Falls. He favored the federation and generously resigned, leaving the federated congregation to select the pastor of their choice. The history of the Congregational church since May 1, 1911, is merged in that of the Federated church.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF FERGUS FALLS.
The history of the First Presbyterian church of Fergus Falls dates back to the spring of 1872, when the following petition was sent to the presbytery of St. Paul: "We, the undersigned, residents of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, state of Minnesota, and vicinity, respectfully request the presbytery of St. Paul to take early steps to form us and others uniting with us into Presbyterian church in your connection." To this petition the fol- lowing names were signed : E. W. Dewey. Mary A. Dewey, Orley Gouldin, Martha E. Gouldin, Justus Pickit, Hannah M. Pickit and David Dewey. The petition is not dated, but it is certain that it was sent before the middle of May in 1872.
The next record in the history of the church is dated May 19, 1872, and this date may be taken as the official beginning of the church in Fergus Falls. On this day Rev. D. C. Lyon, of St. Paul, and Revs. I. W. Monfort and I. Farris, of Minneapolis, the three ministers being the committee ap- pointed by the presbytery of St. Paul to organize a Presbyterian church in Fergus Falls, held religious services in the village. In the afternoon of the same day the church was formally organized under the name of the Olivet Presbyterian church, with the following charter members: Eli W. Dewey, Mary A. Dewey and David A. Dewey, from the Methodist church; Justus Pickit and Mrs. Hanna M. Pickit, from the Presbyterian church at St. Cloud; Orley Gouldin and Mrs. Martha E. Gouldin, from the Congregational church of Hopkinton, New York; Harry H. Conse and Luella E. Conse. It does not appear from the church records just when the name was changed to "First Presbyterian church," but presumably it was when it became incor- porated under the laws of the state. The minutes of this first meeting state that E. W. Dewey and Justus Pickit were elected elders and that the sacra-
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ment was then "dispensed by Rev. I. Farris and Rev. Monfort and Rev. Wolfson of the Congregational church." It is interesting to note that at this first Presbyterian service in Fergus Falls there were "about sixty persons present, only one-fourth of whom were females, owing to the fact that the day was rainy and disagreeable."
The first regular pastor of the church was Rev. M. S. Goodale, D. D., of Amsterdam, New York, who, while never regularly installed as pastor, took charge of the church in September, 1872, and served the church off and on until 1874. The pastors of the church from that time until May 1, 1911, when the church united with the Congregationalists to form the Federated church, were as follow: O. W. Winchester, R. N. Adama, D. D., George C. Pollock, D. D., Elliott H. Moore, O. P. Rider, Thomas O. Whittles and Archibald J. Herries, D. D. When the Presbyterian and Congregational churches federated in May, 1911, they selected Doctor Herries as their first pastor. The history of this church from May 1, 1911, is merged in that of the Federated church. Rev. E. T. Perry is the regular pastor of the Presby- terian church, and, by election, the pastor of the Federated church.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
The Liggett Memorial Presbyterian church of Clitherall was organized July 25, 1909, by Mr. and Mrs. A. Gustafson, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Reed, Mrs. Predmore, Mrs. Tallman, Mrs. Langness and June Tallman. The con- gregation of twenty-five members has a beautiful little church which was erected at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars. The congregation is not sufficiently strong to engage a pastor of their own, and have been served by students studying for the ministry. The present pastor is F. O. Bostrem, who was furnished the church through the home mission department. A Sunday school, Young People's Society and Ladies' Aid are valuable factors in the life of the church, and each of these auxiliaries is given the heartiest support of the members of the congregation.
The Presbyterian church of Almora was organized November 1, 1905, although an organization of the members of this particular faith had been in existence for several years prior to this time. The present house of wor- ship was erected in 1899, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars by S. F. Sharp- less, pastor-at-large of the Red River presbytery. The congregation is served by students studying for the ministry, the church at present being in charge of F. O. Bostrom. The charter members of the church were Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich, Mrs. R. Alexander, Mrs. S. Stone, Vernon Alexander. Mrs. G. D. Taylor, Henry W. Hanning, Mrs. Lydia Hanning and Ophelia Thompson. The membership at the present time numbers twelve.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF NEW YORK MILLS.
The First Congregational church of New York Mills was organized in
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1903, with the following charter members: Mrs. C. W. Fiske, Mrs. V. C. Rector, Mrs. A. Sawyer, Mrs. Matthew Telia, Mrs. Julia Hart, Margaret Hart, Mrs. W. A. Miller and Mrs. Nelson Hart. Since the establishment of the church the following pastors have served the congregation: W. J. Conard, of Park Rapids; E. E. Lindsley, of Wadena; Donald F. Hall, of Fargo, and James T. Plant, of Detroit, the latter being the present pastor.
The church owns a frame building, which was erected shortly after the organization of the church, at a cost of two thousand dollars. The church supports a Sunday school, a Christian Endeavor Society and a Ladies' Aid Society. The present membership of the congregation is ten.
SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church of Fergus Falls .- The Swedes began to settle in Otter Tail county as early as 1869, and in Fergus Falls as soon as the village was platted. The Swedish Lutheran church in Fergus Falls was organized in 1877 by Rev. S. J. Kronberg, now residing near Melby, Minnesota, but then traveling missionary in the northwest. Charles Jackson, L. P. Halinquist, John Swanson and S. J. Nylander, with . their families, became charter members. The first church building, erected in 1883, was a small frame structure in the southwestern part of the city. In 1910 a new and commodious church was built of red pressed brick at the corner of Mill street and Bismarck avenue at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars, with a seating capacity of four hundred. A modern pipe organ costing two thousand dollars was installed in 1915.
Rev. L. P. Stenstrom, now residing near Elizabeth, was the first pastor in regular charge of the church, which position he held for years. Rev. P. Sjoblom, D. D., then president of the Minnesota Conference, was the first resident pastor. He served the congregation faithfully for eight years. Rev. Louis Johnson was called in 1895 and he worked successfully for thirteen years. Rev. James Moody, the present pastor, has served the church since 1908.
The church membership is now one hundred seventy, with a Sunday school of fifty. The Ladies' Aid, the Luther League and the Men's Society are very active church organizations. They take care of the social side of the church work and help along financially to a large extent.
Northwestern College, a school belonging to the Swedish Lutheran denomination, was located in Fergus Falls in 1900. Since that time the sphere of activity of the church has been greater and its influence has been felt in wider circles. The teachers and students of the college assist largely in making the church organizations more effective. The church is growing and promises to be among the largest in the Red River Valley conference.
The Central Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church of Erhard is located
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in section 2 of the township of Erhards Grove. Its formal organization dates from April 9, 1877, at which time the members of this faith living in this vicinity met and agreed to form a church. For the first seven years (1877-84) the services were held in the homes of the members. In 1884 a frame building was erected at a cost of three thousand dollars, and two years later the church was incorporated.
The church has now been in existence nearly forty years, and during all that time it has had only two pastors. S. J. Kromberg served from 1877 to 1881, and since that date the present pastor, L. P. Stenstrom, has had charge of the congregation, a period of service extending over thirty-five years. The church has always had a prosperous membership and now enrolls two hundred sixty communicants. A Sunday school. Young People's Society and Ladies' Aid are maintained, and these auxiliaries are prominent factors in advancing the general interests of the chruch.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church of Elizabeth was organized August 9, 1877, by a number of adherents of the faith then living in or near the village. The year following the organization of the congregation a frame building was erected at a cost of two thousand three hundred dollars. S. J. Kromberg was the first pastor, and he continued in charge of the church until 1881, when the present pastor, L. P. Stenstrom, assumed charge. The church has enjoyed a steady growth and now has an active membership of one hundred and fourteen. Various auxiliary organizations are main- tained and perform efficient service in their respective spheres. The church has been incorporated since 1894.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Pease Prairie church of Henning Township was organized October 9, 1887, by the following charter members : Mr. and Mrs. Nels Nelson, Christian Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. Ahlberg, Maria Nelson, Charlotta Nelson, Andrew Nelson, Mrs. Andrew Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nelson, Mr. Svenson, J. M. Svenson and Mrs. J. M. Ahlberg. The congregation now numbers seventy. The following pastors have served the congregation : John Hallstrom, Fred Lindblom, Charles Hoard, Gustaf Hallgren, H. P. Sundberg, John Rosen, Anton Nelson. John Lundeen, C. A. Lindahl, E. Hindorff and Gustaf A. Dahlquist, who is now serving the church. The church has a house of worship and parsonage which were erected a few years ago at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars.
The church was incorporated January 21, 1893, at a meeting held in the school house of district number 122 in the township of Henning, where the society was then holding its services. A. Johnson was elected chairman of the meeting, and A. G. Nelson, clerk. The ten members present at the meeting selected B. Swanberg, C. P. Lindgren and L. Mollerstrom, trustees.
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The pastor is assisted in his work by the Sunday school, a Young People's Society and a Ladies' Missionary Society.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran church of Parkers Prairie was organ- ized in 1871 and was incorporated December 27, 1882. At that time Nels P. Nyman, Peter M. Lijengren and Adolph Carlson were elected trustees, and John N. Nelson, Nels Malmguen and Anders P. Rosenquist were elected deacons. John N. Nelson was chairman of the meeting and John A. Han- kinson was secretary. The church stands two miles east of the village but has always been known as the Parkers Prairie church. This is one of the few log churches still standing in the county, and, according to the report of the officials of the church, it, with the other property of the church, is valued at five thousand seven hundred dollars. The present membership is three hundred sixty. The following pastors have served the congregation : Revs. Magni, Lundblad, Carlson, Johnson, Melin, Leaf, and O. Wallin, who is now in charge of the church.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Eastern is located in section 26, of Eastern township, nine miles east and south of the village of Parkers Prairie. It was organized in 1893 and was incorporated on January 18 of that year at a meeting held at the home of David Nelson. On this date there were eleven members of the congregation present, and after organizing by selecting the Rev. L. Johnson, chairman, and L. Peterson, clerk, the follow- ing persons were elected trustees: David Nelson, P. Erikson and H. Sjobeck.
The church has been served by four different pastors during its exist- ence, namely : Revs. Johnson, Melin, Leaf and O. Wallin. The congrega- tion numbers two hundred seventy-four communicants and is one of the largest Lutheran congregations of the county. The church building is a substantial frame structure which was erected a few years ago at a cost of five thousand dollars. With such a large membership the church maintains a flourishing Sunday school, and various other auxiliary organizations. Young people's societies and missionary societies are doing efficient work in the service of the church.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN TRINITY CHURCH OF FERGUS FALLS.
The German Evangelical Lutheran Trinity church of Fergus Falls was established in 1873, the congregation at that time forming one church with two others in the Friberg township and Elizabeth village, respectively. It was not until 1896 that the local Trinity congregation became self-support- ing. The charter members of the church were only four in number, namely: Henry Tomhave, Ferdinand Schroeder, Carl Haarstick and Peter Tomhave. The present membership numbers three hundred fifty.
The pastors from the time the church was organized, in 1873, until until 1896, had charge of the congregations at Elizabeth and in Friberg
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township. These were six in number: H. Vetter, R. Winkler, J. Krueger, C. Engel, H. Lossner and George Matzat. H. Reinhardt was the first resi- dent pastor of the church in Fergus Falls. He was followed by J. C. Meyer, who gave way to H. H. Feiertag in 1907. Rev. Feiertag resigned as pastor of the church in March, 1916, to accept a call to the superintendency of the Evangelical Lutheran Sanitarium at Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
The first constitution and articles of incorporation of the church were adopted by the congregation in 1882 and filed for record on the 17th of July. The trustees at that time were G. W. Faver, Henry Tomhave and Ferdinand Schroeder. It should be mentioned that Trinity is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states, the 'largest Lutheran church body in the United States.
The house of worship is located at No. 201 Union avenue north. A Sunday school is maintained; a Ladies' Aid Society does efficient work; a parochial school, with an attendance of forty pupils, is under the direction of J. Schulz.
OUR SAVIOUR'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church of Fergus Falls, locally known as Vor Frelser's ( Our Saviour's) church, was organized October 11, 1872, with Louis Benson as the sole charter member. Mr. Benson is still living in Fergus Falls. When the church was incorporated on the 28th of the same month Christian Johnson, Louis Benson and S. Tjoser were given as trustees. Pastor J. A. Bergh and Deacon J. H. Johnson acknowledged the incorporation articles before the clerk of the district court. Little is known of the early history of the church. The pastors from its organization down to the present time have served in the following order, their respective tenures not being obtainable : J. A. Bergh, N. Iverson, J. Svenoe, A. Wald, T. Tjornhorn, L. E. Kleppe and Thomas Rorstad, the present pastor.
During its history of forty-four years its membership has increased from one to four hundred sixty. The Sunday school of one hundred twenty-five members is one of the most important auxiliaries of the church. There is also a Young People's Society of fifty, a Junior League of thirty, a Ladies' Aid of sixty and an organization for little girls called Busy Bees.
The congregation has a handsome brick house of worship at 102 Junius avenue west which was erected a few years ago at a cost of ten thousand dollars. A two-story frame parsonage stands close to the church.
BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF FERGUS FALLS.
The Bethel Lutheran church of Fergus Falls has been organized only a short time but it already has an active membership of sixty. Its services thus far have been held in a hall, but the congregation is now erecting a . beautiful house of worship which will cost five thousand dollars by the time
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it is completed. C. J. Brun has been the pastor of the church since its organization. A Sunday school with a membership of thirty, a Young People's Society of thirty-five, and a Ladies' Aid of eighteen, are impor- tant adjuncts of the church.
BETHANIA NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH OF FERGUS FALLS.
The Bethania Norwegian Lutheran church of Fergus Falls was organ- ized in the spring of 1892 by the following charter members: Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. L. Leinan, Mr. and Mrs. Johannes Bjertnes, Mrs. Anna Stang and Mrs. Marie Benson. The congregation has no church building yet, but holds its services at Bethania hall, No. 226 Bis- marck avenue east. The church owns a parsonage at No. 214 Bismarck avenue west, valued at twenty-five hundred dollars.
Anton Larson was the first pastor of the church and served from 1902 to 1908. Knut Gjesfjeld had charge of the congregation for the following three years, being succeeded in 1911 by Ludwig Pederson. Rev. Pederson remained with the church only one year. Tobias Tekse has served as pastor since 1912.
The church was incorporated June 14, 1904, with the following officers : Anton L. Larson, president; Theodore Johnson, secretary; Samuel John- son, Iver J. Voyum and Lars Leinan, trustees. The church has a Sunday school, a young ladies society and a missionary society, all three of these auxiliaries working for the general good of the church. The membership numbers thirty.
NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES.
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran congregation of Aastad is located in the southeastern corner of section 21 of Aastad township. It was organ- ized January 29, 1890, by A. E. Soliah, Erik H. Bergerud, C. H. Bergerud, S. H. Bergerud, Helge Elefson and Ole T. Bjorka. During the twenty-six years this church has been in existence it has had only two pastors, A. J. Hueteng and K. Skyberg, the latter having served the church for the past several years. The church has a building which cost seventy-five hundred dollars to erect, and two thousand dollars to equip with furniture. The . membership of one hundred and eighty-eight is composed of the leading citizens of the community. Various auxiliary societies are maintained, each contributing its share toward the general advancement of the work of the church.
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