Ü Page 4 -
Page 6 Þ
Close
Services until 1915 were held in various church buildings in G'reenwood. The former Catholic Church building belonged to this congregation at one time, but was sold in 1915. A Pastor Svanoe served from 1906 to 1908, then Reverend Reishus served from 1908 until 191 1 with Reverend A. B. Dyre serving part time. Services were few and far between.
On June 18, 1916, the congregation was reorganized with the following charter members: John Dyre, Ole Johnson, Andrew Johnson, Severin Johnson, P.W. Gullord, Tom Thompson, Martin Strommen, Arthur Iverson, and about 25 others. Reverend Kleppe was pastor at that time and he was also serving Trondhjem Congregation. About that time the name was changed to United Evangelical Lutheran Church. Construction of a new building had begun in 1915 with TomThompson as carpenter. It was completed and dedicated October 7, 1917 by the Rt. Reverend J. Nordby. Reverend Kleppe continued until the fall of 1918. At the beginning of 1919, Reverend M.K. Aaberg answered the call. He continued to serve until December, 1935. Dr. Jacob Tanner, Reverend Anderson and Student Nielsen served during the interim period 19361937., On June 13, 1937, the Reverend E.A. Norson installed his son Reverend A.E. Norson, who remained until June 1947.
In May, 1940, it was decided to build a parsonage. The actual building began the following October. Carpenters were Clarence Aberg, a member of the congregation, and Ole and Adolph Able. It was hoped to have the building ready for occupancy by Christmas of that year, but a few delays slowed the work that made it impossible to complete it by that time. On January 28, 1941, the Norson family moved in. Through the united efforts of all concerned, the parsonage was paid for in less time than had been anticipated. Five years later on September 29, 1946, the mortgage was burned'at a special meeting. On June 15, 1947, Pastor A.E. Norson preached his farewell sermon, and the following Sunday, Pastor T.M.
Nelson was installed to carry on the good work.
Meanwhile Reverend Aaberg had continued to serve the Trondhjem Congregation. Because of his aging years and failing health, he chose to retire from the ministry at the close of the year 1947. In February, 1948, Pastor Nelson agreed to hold services for that congregation every three weeks on Sunday P.M. At a meeting of the congregation in December, 1948, the members decided to disband and merge with the United Lutheran Congregation.
|
Up to that time they had been served by the Reverends Hougum, Erdahl, Kleppe, Aaberg, and Nelson. Thus after 46 years, the two congregations were reunited. It is interesting to note that many of the members were children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of those who organized the first congregation in 1872. Surely, "God Works in a Mysterious Way, His Wonders to Perform." Pastor Nelson remained with us until the close of 1951.
Having accepted a call to Superior, he preached his farewell sermon January 1, 1952. So, we were without a Shepherd again. But as always, God answered our prayers and sent us interim pastors until June when Pastor M.S. Egge answered our call to be our regular pastor. He had just finished his seminary training and had been ordained in his home church in St. James, Minnesota. Some of the interim pastors were George Thompson, M.S. Egge, Norbert Jolivette, who were seniors at the seminary and Reverend Odland of Curtiss, who officiated at a confirmation service and two weddings. |
Rev. Aaberg, Rev. Hougum, Rev. Kleppe |
The interest and need for a new and larger building continued to grow, so plans were made. A building committee was composed of William Dailman, Chairman, and Arendt Danielson, Secretary, along with Godfrey Dyre, Dr. Olson, John D. Wuethrich, Palmer Vinger, Robert Ramin, Kenneth Hium, Earl Caliebe, and Aage Neilsen. Fund raising campaigns were organized - - among them was a dinner at the high school, known as Wells Fund Raising Campaign Dinner. Pledges were signed and an architect contacted. Ground breaking took place June 27, 1954 and on the following September 5, the cornerstone was laid with Reverend G.S. Thompson of Eau Claire officiating. It was not until the spring of 1955 that the building was completed and ready for services to be held there.
About this
time, we decided-to change the name of our church. By a vote of the
congregation, we decided it would henceforth be known as Our Saviors Lutheran.
Thus, with a new building and a new name, we were a new congregation with old
members.
-5-
