USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 70
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Franklin Congregation was organized in 1876 by the following: Thomas Tweet, Hellek Peterson, Holger Jacobus, who was also the first postmaster of Franklin, Erik Lokken, Jens Skarness, Magnus Johnson, E. S. Johnson and Engehert Thompson. Jacobus was the first secretary. It is not remembered who came here to preach be- fore there was a regular called minister, but Rev. Erikson of Hawk Creek, was the first regular called minister who served the congregation for two or three years. Many members were added to the congre- gation during that time and later. After Rev. Erikson several of the minsters were: Revs. L. N. Pederson, Prof. Theo. Rumestad Jacobson, of Westbrook, Minne- sota, M. G. Hanson and S. E. Sorensen, of St. Paul, who served the congregation for about thirty years, after which the Frank- lin, Hauges, Zions and Camp congrega- tions consolidated so as to call one min- ister together who should then reside here. C. O. Rosing of the United church was called and accepted and moved here from Minneapolis and was minister for abont three years. Hauges congregation then called Rev. Thos. Hanson, and the other three congregations called Student J. S. Sneve, who accepted and served here for nearly two years, when he resigned and left in the spring of 1898, when the present minister. Rev. Thos. Hanson, was called and is still serving as the congregation minister.
Trinity church of Franklin congregation was started in 1889, but was not complete- ly finished until 1895. Still later extensive improvements have been made such as in- stalling a new altar and church bell, and the building of a full basement under the whole church neatly partitioned off into various useful compartments, same costing over $1,200. The church has a large Sun- day school and conducts a parochial school during the summer months, for the instruc- tion of religion to the young.
It has also a very active Ladies' Aid society, producing several hundred dollars each year for benevolent and religeous purposes.
The first child on record as being bap- tized here is Julia Anette Monson. The first funeral was that of Inger Skarnes. The first confirmation was held July 8, 1877. Among those then confirmed might be mentioned Jacob Pederson and Emma M. Johnson.
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One of the first marriages was that of J. M. Johnson and Carrie Lökken. Many of the younger generation use English more than their ancestral tongue, hence the church work is carried on in both lan- guages. It might be mentioned that the young as well as the old for a great part are very loyal to the church, attending regularly and giving freely.
Hof Congregation Sacred Heart. ( By Rev. T. J. Oppedahl.) This congregation was organized June 23, 1871, by Rev. Lars O. Rustad, a member of the Hauges Evan- gelical Lutheran Synode, and also having charge of several congregations near Will- mar, Kandchi county, Minnesota. He was the first representative of the Hauges Synode that ever held any religious service in and around the village of Sacred Heart. The first service was held in 1870. A few of the pioneer members of this church can be mentioned. Lars Ingebretson, Hendrik Lien, Ole Skalbeck, Hendrik Berg. Ole Hen- drikson. Andrias Erikson. Fredrik O. John- son, Christian Krogfos, Ole Oppegaard, Ole Johnson, etc.
A church was built and partly finished in 1880: it was located about a half mile southwest from the village of Sacred Heart. A number of years later, namely in 1891, the church was moved into the village, and it was then completely finished, and has a seating capacity of 200 people. The church was built under the pastorate of Johannes Halverson; it was finished and dedicated under the pastorate of Rev. T. J. Oppedahl.
The congregation bought a dwelling house a few blocks from where the church is now located: this house they rebuilt, enlarged and remodeled, and it is now a most modern and complete parsonage.
The congregation has also a cemetery of its own; it is located near the original site of the church.
The following pastors have had charge of this church: Rev. Lars Olen Rustad (1871-1878) ; Rev. Johannes Halverson (1878-1890): Rev. T. J. Oppedahl (1890. 1905); Rev. S. Brecke (1906-1910); Rev. A. O. Nes (1910-1913) : Rev. T. J. Oppedahl, who is now serving the congregation the second time.
Vestre Sogn Congregation. (By A. T. Ellingboe.) This congregation was organ- ized in about 1870 and services were held in the farm houses and school houses. January 15. 1881, a meeting was held at the home of C. O. Narvestad in the town of Wang to discuss the advisability of erecting a church building. C. O. Narve- stad offered to donate land for a church lot and it was decided to build a church. A committee was appointed to solicit sub- scriptions for the church building. They were Elling Johnson, K. Vikken, P. C. Brevig and Ole Ellefson. The next meet- ing was held at the same place. February 21. 1881. It was decided to build the church in the spring of 1881. At this meet-
ing a building committee was chosen con- sisting of C. O. Narvestad. P. (. Brevig, Theo. Rongerud. H. T. Ellingboe and Ole Ellefson. C. O. Narvestad donated one acre of land to the church and sold one acre for $10. At a meeting held at the same place March 5, 1881, the committee on subscriptions reported having received $1,495 and it was decided to advertise for bids on building the church. The church was built in the summer of that year. The first services were held in the new frame church July 18, 1881, but the church was not completed until 1882. Rev. John Bergh was the first pastor. The congregation was incorporated March 30, 1905, by the following persons: P. C. Brevig, C. O. Narvestad, O. K. Williams. The officers were: President, C. T. ('lausen; secretary, A. T. Kjersten; treasurer, P. C. Brevig; members of the board, John Engebretson, Hans Grotvedt and Ole Ellefson. June, 1914. the church was struck by lightning and burned to the ground.
The congregation is now dissolved and the members have joined other congrega- tions, though at the present time a pretty chapel is being erected on the old site, and here services will be held from time to time.
Wang's Congregation. (By A. T. Elling- boe.) This congregation was organized May 15, 1885, with the following trustees: Ole C. Soine, Ole G. Loe and Gullik H. Weflen. The officers were: Secretary. Christopher Gjevre, and treasurer, Chris- tian Brevig. The church of the Vestre Sogn congregation was used until 1892, when the Wang church was built on the one and a half acre tract of land in section 9, donated by A. T. Ellingboe. The first pastor of this cougregation was Rev. A. H. Gjevre. The present pastors are: Revs. M. B. and O. E. Erikson. The trustees are H. A. Weflen, O. T. ]laugen and H. E. Thorkelson. The officers are: Treasurer. C. A. Hovda, and secretary, A. T. Ellingboe.
Our Savior's and Opdal Congregations of Sacred Heart. (By Rev. Nils Giere.) The majority of the early settlers along the banks of the Minnesota river in the west- ern part of Renville county after the mas- sacre were Scandinavians. Their heroic
story is told elsewhere.
In those early days there were no public schools. It developed upon the parents all together to care for the instruction of their children. Accordingly every home had its private school where first of all the essen- tials of Christian doctrine were inculcated as set forth in Luther's Catechism, Pontop- pidan's "Forklaring." and other textbooks. Much credit is given to the untiring and faithful services of Lars L. Rudi, a man of much learning and Christian experience. For some time he served as the local "teacher and pastor" of the entire com- munity. Every Sunday Mr. Rudi would have the pioneers come together for ('hris- tian worship in log cabins, cellars or the
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open, lead on in prayer and singing, ex- pound portions of scripture, exhorting his friends to steadfastness in faith and clean living and then devote the rest of his time to the instruction of the "little ones."
The first Lutheran pastor to visit the Sacred Heart settlement was Rev. Thomas Johnson, of Swan Lake, Minnesota.
On a "bright Sunday morning," Septem- ber 22, 1868, a large number-men, women and children-coming by foot, some from a distance of eight miles or more, assem- bled at the home of Ole Kolien, where the "first sermon" preached and
the mother church of all the Lutheran churches in western Renville county was organized as "Our Savior's Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Renville County, Minnesota." For a period of three years the devoted Rev. Johnson served the pioneer church as often and faithfully as time and occasion would permit. His sal- ary was fixed at $40,00 a year. Sometimes the venerable reverend would have other pastors come to his assistance, like Revs. \. Brandt, of Decorah, lowa; N. Ylvisaker, of Zumbrota, and T. Hattrem, of Lake Hanska, Minn. The constitution of Our Savior's church was undersigned, as it ap- pears, by 97 charter members. Besides the names already mentioned may be added the following: Ole O. Melsness.
Ole Enestvedt, Tollet Enestvedt, Eric Nelson, Hellek Kollien, Ole B. Dalıl. Iver Iverson, Christian Narvestad. Theo- dore Rongerud, Hans Grotvedt, Ole and Halsten Otos, Hans Gunderson, Christian Ingebritson, H. Stavne, P. G. Peterson, G. S. Melsness, Eric Golie, Hans Sagnes. Christian Hoo, Halvor Mutta, H. Golie. Hermo Halverson, B. Ilogenson, B. Kort- gaard, Ole Skjaggeby. K. Throngaard, O. Holtan, K. Bergan, Peter Kartgaard. P. Erickson, P. Oslie, A. Samuelson, E. S. Gunderson, J. Tillisch, John Roste, M. Hogenson, Christian Listerud, T. Skrukrud, and John Hang. Later on names like P. P. Dustrud, Martin Jacobson, O. T. Rude and Ole Stensrud were added.
For reason of the great scarcity of min- isters at that time, the Sacred Heart people did not succeed in securing their local and resident pastor till in the fall of 1871. Rev. Johannes E. Bergh, of Muskegon, Michigan, upon a call from Sacred Heart (Our Savior's), Ft. Ridgely and Yellow Medicine congregations was then installed by Rev. Thomas Johnson November 12 in the log cabin of Peter Erickson. A wide mission field extending to a radius now covered by all of ten parishes, tested the zeal and strength of the new pastor through path- less plains and dreadful winter blizzards. But he labored on and for 33 years de- voutly ministered to his people. The people, though poor, were happy and hope- ful, faithfully meeting winter and sum- mer at all clinrch services. Yellow Medi- cine and Fort Ridgely churches withdrew respectively 1874 and 1876 from the call.
About this time Our Savior's church joined the "Synod for the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America." to which society it has ever since belonged. A parsonage had been built about 7 miles southwest of Sacred Heart, preparatory steps were taken for the erection of a church, much interest was shown in arranging for parochial schools in the various districts and every- thing looked prosperous. But then came the pestering scourge of grasshoppers, which precipitated a sudden halt for years in all lines of progress. Many of the old homesteaders sold out and left the coun- try, others for the support of their families would through the busy season of the year have to seek work in the southern settle- ments of the stale, and yet the people never murmured, but displayed rather a spirit of cheerfulness and contentment ever ready to divide with one another their scanty portions of flour and cornmeal as best they knew how.
Not till 1880 was any effective work done toward the building of a church. By this time "the railroad had come," the conse- quence of which at once decided the loca- tion of the proposed house of worship. The cornerstone for the so-called "Synod church" of Sacred Heart was then laid on a lovely eminence in the center of the vil- lage, a small piece of ground south of town was secured as a place of hurial. The new edifice was dedicated by Rev. Prof. H. G. Stub at a big church convention held here in the summer of 1888.
Previous to and succeeding this event new church organizations had been formed as annex-churches to Sacred Heart like Vestre Sogn. Our Savior's of Renville, Rock Dell and Opdal, all of which in course of time became separate parishes, except Opdal, which ever since its organi- zation has remained a part of the "Sacred Heart call.'
Rev. Bergh's pastorate, as noted, cov- ered a period of 33 years. The following pastors served as his assistants: Revs. S. T. Reishus (1885-86), H. A. Stub (1887), Nils Giere (1901-04). At the resignation of Rev. J. E. Bergh. May, 1904, call was extended to Rev. Nils Giere, the present pastor of the Sacred Heart parish. The old country parsonage, house and farm, was eventually donated to Rev. Bergh. There he resided for about 26 years. About 1897 Rev. Bergh erected his own dwelling in Sacred Heart. This magnificent strnc- ture was later on (1905) purchased by the parish for $3,500. Adjoining each of the two churches in Sacred Heart and Opdal chapels were built (1911 and 1913) at the cost of $4.300.
By statistics of 1908 the total number of baptisms was given as 2,359; confirmed, 1,187; married, 330; buried, 491. The first born: Jorgine Caroline Enestvedt and Halvor Ostenius Helgeson, both born 1867. First married : A. Samuelson and Chris-
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tine Christenson, by Rev. Thomas John- son, May 29, 1869.
The present total membership of Sacred Heart and Opdal churches, 813. Six Ladies' Aids, one girls' Priscilla club, and two Y. P. societies have been in active work for years. Summer schools for the imstruction of the young are maintained in the chapels and country school houses-besides Satur- day and Sunday schools. Donations to various missions last year (1914) was $1,578.45.
Present officers: Janitors, O. 11. Larshus, Ole Forkerud: choristers, P. C. Brevig. Ole Enestvedt: organists, Esther Giere, Anna Kottom; trustees, G. P. Mangerud, A. O. Skrukrud, Carl Jacobson, M. G. Melsness, H. Golie, H. Collin, H. Hagenson. L. Daniel- son: superintendent of Sunday school, G. P. Mangerud: building committee, T. A. Nellermoe. John Haug, H. Thostenson. A. A. Skjefte. Rev. Giere.
Rev. Nils Giere was born June 3, 1855, in the town of Deerfield, Dane county, Wis- consin. His ancesters, both on father's and mother's side, came from Hallingdal and Vass, Norway, in 1846 and 1850. He attended Luther college, Decorah, Iowa, 1873-1879. Luther Seminary, Madison, Wisconsin, 1879-1881. University of Chris- tiania, Norway, 1881-1883. He was or- dained September 6, 1883, and served at following pastorates: Crow River and Big Grove, Kandiyohi and Stearns counties, sixteen years. Renville and Bird Island five years. Sacred Heart and Opdal eleven years. He was married to Bertha Susannah Nielson, of Madison, Wisconsin, August 6, 1884, and their children are: Arthur Fred- erick, attorney at Centralia, Washington: Constance Berhardine, Mrs. T. H. (allin. Seattle. Washington: Silas Waldemar, stu- dent Rush Medical College, Chicago: Esther Luella and Ruth Erolinda, at home.
Our Saviour's Congregation of Renville. (By Rev. Gilbert Oppen. ) In the early days, the first Norwegian settlers in this community, as in all new communities, had but very little spiritual guidance: but having been brought up as true Lutherans they loved their Bible, their hymn book. and their little Luther's Catechism. These books were their chief devotional books and they treasured them highly. As to public worship, they had little because of the lack of ordained ministers. The only time they could assemble for public worship was when occasionally some min- ister from some eastern community, on his missionary journey would visit them and conduct services in some private home. Then they would hear the gospel of Christ preached unto them, have their children baptized. and partake of the Lord's sup- per. To them the gospel of Christ sound- ed sweet.
May 5, 1873, a congregation was organ- ized under the name of "Our Savior's Nor- wegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Renville and Redwood Counties," and was
composed of Norwegians in this vicinity of the western part of this county, and also of Redwood county. The pastor, Rev. J. E. Bergh, preached at various places in private homes and later on in the school house in Renville. It soon became appar- ent. however, that with so large a terri- tory the pastor could not give the people as many services as they wished; hence, in the early eighties the Norwegians in Renville and vicinity began thinking of forming a congregation of their own, a thought which was realized in 1886. At a legally called meeting on October 25, 1886, the articles of incorporation of the Nor- wegian Evangelical Lutheran church of Renville were adopted and officers elected. The following persons made up the first board of directors:
President, Rev. J. E. Bergh; secretary and treasurer. L. Pederson; trustee for one year, C. Carlson; trustee for two years, Jacob Olson Dahle; trustee for three years, Hans Olson Lilligaard.
In the year 1887 steps were taken to- wards the building of a church. In the early part of 1888 the present lots owned by the church were purchased and as soon as funds could be provided a church erect- ed. The congregation prospered steadily, but was struck a heavy blow in the sum- mer of 1894 when a cyclone came and to- tally destroyed the little church. The mem- bers were not dismayed, but took hold with renewed energy to rebuild the church, having full confidence that God would prosper their undertaking. In a short time a new structure took the place of the old one. This church property has been im- proved from time to time. In 1913 about $1,500 was spent for improvements on the church building: during the summer of 1915 about $Son was spent for improve- ments on the parsonage.
The present officers of the congregation are as follows: President. Rev. Gilbert Oppen: vice-president, L. E. Lien: secre- tary, Gurin Kvernes; treasurer, O. J. Dahle: trustee, P. J. Wigdahl, llans Jep- son, Lars Kronlokken.
The following pastors have served the congregation: Rev. P. A. Kittelsby, 1891- 1894: Rey. A. J. Torgerson, 1895-1896; Rev. H. Solum, 1896-1899; Rev. Nils Giere. 1899- 1904; Rev. M. (. Waller, 1904-1908; Rev. T. L. Rosholt, 1909-1911; Rev. Gilbert Op- pen, 1912.
The congregation has always realized that the religious instruction of the chil- dren is something the church must pro- vide, and consequently as early as 1889 a Sunday school was organized and has ever since been kept up, doing its mission among the children.
A young people's society has always been actively at work in the congregation. doing its mission among the young. The ladies' aid was the first organization within the congregation. being organized as early as 1887. The ladies' aid has been one of
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the chief promoters of the church and has been at all times actively at work pro- moting the cause of both home and foreign missions.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN.
Zion's Church of Olivia. (By Rev. H. Hupfer.) The German Evangelican Lu- theran Zion's church of Olivia was organ- ized in 1887. The charter members were: WV. Windhorst, C. Nelson, K. Korschnik, H. Dahlman. W. Yungk. P. Nelsen, N. Nelsen, J. Nelsen. F. Voelz, W. Speier, C. Nelsen, Jr., and L. Backhaus. The first services were held in the old public schoolhouse by Rev. G. Fischer. In 1899 the first church was erected and dedicated at Olivia, and in 1903 the parsonage was purchased. In addition to the church a parochial school is maintained by the parish. The pastors who have served this congregation are as follows: G. Fisher. 1887-1896: H. Albrecht, 1897-1899; G. Albrecht, 1899-1903; P. Heidtke, 1903-1904; C. Schrader. 1904-1908; H. Hupfer, 1908 to the present time. The church records show that there have been 265 births, thirty-four marriages, and forty- five deaths.
St. Matthew's Church of Danube. ( By Rev. H. Hupfer.) The German Evangelical Lutheran Matthew church of Danube, Minn .. was organized June 17. 1904, by the following: Gust. Miller (chairman) ; Fol- kert Hinrichs (secretary): Gust. Miller (treasurer) : Fred Zinne, Louis Miller, Carl Laumer (elders); Henry Heineman, Ed- mund E. Grunnert. Albert Kuether (trus- tees) : Henry U. Hinrichs, Otto Thoms, J. F. Hinrichs, L. C. Hinrichs, A. Wallert, W. Knigge, V. Hinrichs. A church was erected and dedicated in 1905. The following pas- tors have served this congregation: Rev. C. Schrader. 1904-1908: H. Hupfer. 1908 to the present time. The records of the church show that there have been eighty- eight births, twenty-two marriages and six- teen deaths.
Bethania Church of Emmet. The German Evangelical Lutheran Bethania church of Emmet was organized in 1875 by Rev. J. Hunziker. The first members were: F. Butenhoff. J. Brettin. J. Benzin, H. Freuden- thal, H. Fritz. J. Gens. K. Gluth, G. Grabow. Ang. Hussak, J. Joch. Aug. Kaatz, K. Kan- nenberg, F. Kraemin. F. Kopiska, Ferd. Lenz. H. Miller, Ang. Rauschke. Julius Rauschke. K. Reetz, A. Roschild. Aug. Ros- child. H. Standfuss and K. Zaske. During the first year services were held in private homes and public schoolhouses. In 1879 the . congregation erected a parsonage. which was used as a schoolhouse and place of holding worship. In 1886 the con- gregation purchased forty acres of land at $h an acre. On this a new church. 30 by 50 feet. and a new parsonage were built. In 1892 a new schoolhouse, 18 by 26 feet. was built. The property is now valued at be- tween $10.000 and $12,000, entirely free from debt. The congregation consists of
sixty families. The pastors have been the Rev. Messrs. J. Hunziker, H. Kreuter, F. Spindler. G. Fischer, and the present pastor, Rev. G. Albrecht, who has served since 1897. The congregation belongs to the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Minnesota and other states. (Written by the Rev. G. Albrecht.)
St. Matthaeus Church of Flora. The Ger- man Evangelical Lutheran St. Matthaeus church of Flora was organized in 1872 by Rev. J. Hunziker. The first members were: Chr. Sperber. P. Binger. L. Wohlmann, Chr. Schaefer, Ferd. Breitkreutz, J. Beckendorf, K. Beckendorf, and Aug. Uhlig. In 1875 the congregation became affiliated with Bethania congregation. and the same pas- tors have served both congregations. Until 1887. services were held in a public schoolhouse. The same year a new church was erected. At present the congregation consists of thirty families, The congrega- tion belongs to the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Minnesota and other states. (Written by the Rev. G. Albrecht.)
St. Paul's Church of Hector. (By Rev. H. W. Krull.) The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's church of Hector was organized October 7, 1888, by Rev. C. H. Hilpert. of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Minnesota, who served as its pastor for nearly two years. The charter members were: Andrew Schwarzkopf. John Santer, Fred .I. Hilpert. Herman Schmalz. Leonard Rice, John Rice, Emil Sauter. Mrs. Kuni- gunda Rice, one of the early members, is still living. The first services were held in the home of Jolin Rice, Sr., now de- ceased. For four years services were held in the public school houses and private dwellings. In 1892 the present church, a roomy frame building, was erected three miles from Hector in Melville township. In 1901 the church was moved into the vil- lage and in 1912 a large school house was erected on the same block on which the church stands. During the summer of 1913 a modern parsonage was erected next to the church. At the dedication of this, on September 28. 1913. the twenty-fifth anniversary of the congregation was also celebrated with proper services. Since June 29, 1913. services have been con- ducted in the English language regularly every alternate Sunday. During 1891 Rev. Peter Wuebben, of Stewart, Minn .. served it. Since then it has been served by pas- tors of the Evangelical Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio. From the summer of 1892 till the autumn of 1897 E. Knorr. of Buf- falo Lake, served the congregation. From December 1, 1897. to April 1. 1900, L. H. Kettner, of Brookfield township. was the pastor. From then until August, 1903, Emil Schalinske was the resident pastor. His successor was Rudolph Bergfeldt. who served until August, 1906. L. H. Kettner then again served it with the aid of theo- logical students of St. Paul. Minn., until July 1, 1909, when the present pastor, H. W.
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Krull, then a student of theology at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, was called and has served it ever since. Some of the promi- nent members are: John H. Rice, Albert Witte, John Ehlers, Carl Beske, Fred G. Maschke, Henry Laffin, Fred Tesch, Dieg- rich and Henry W. Koehler, Fred Foesch. Fred Lindekugel. The congregation at present is thirty-seven voting members and about 180 communicant members.
Trinity Church of Brookfield. (By Rev. L. Kettner.) The German Lutheran Trin- ity church of Brookfield, Minn., is located in section 11, township of Brookfield. The first service was held in the farm house of William Mutchler by Rev. L. Kettner. The congregation was organized in the spring of 1895 by Rev. Emil Knorr. Fol- lowing are the names of the charter mem- bers: Henry Elling, William Mutchler, Al- bert Hoefs, Henry Wehking, Carl Bretzke, Henry Brede, Albert Elling, Christian
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