Bisbee Lutheran Church
405 Washington Street
Bisbee, Towner County, North Dakota 58317
405 Washington Street
Bisbee, Towner County, North Dakota 58317
Bisbee Lutheran Church
1888-1988
Bisbee, North Dakota
The history of the church dates from January 29, 1888, when Reverend J. U. Peterson of the Norwegian-Danish Conference conducted services in homes, organizing a congregation of sixteen members. "The First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church" was chosen for its name on May 6, 1888, the name was changed to St. Olaf Norwegian Lutheran Church." A church building was completed in 1903; it burned December 5, 1915. A second church was completed in December 1916. On November 16, 1949. the church name was changed to "Bisbee Lutheran Church."
Bisbee Lutheran Church joined the Amercian Lutheran Church in 1963.
In 1962, a new church was built with the old building being remodeled for use as an Educational Unit. Almost all of the work for this project was done by the men of the congregation. Today, in simple beauty, our temple stands among us as a quiet place of worship. May it always be to the Glory of God.
Info from - back of Bisbee Lutheran Church plate
1888-1988
Bisbee, North Dakota
The history of the church dates from January 29, 1888, when Reverend J. U. Peterson of the Norwegian-Danish Conference conducted services in homes, organizing a congregation of sixteen members. "The First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church" was chosen for its name on May 6, 1888, the name was changed to St. Olaf Norwegian Lutheran Church." A church building was completed in 1903; it burned December 5, 1915. A second church was completed in December 1916. On November 16, 1949. the church name was changed to "Bisbee Lutheran Church."
Bisbee Lutheran Church joined the Amercian Lutheran Church in 1963.
In 1962, a new church was built with the old building being remodeled for use as an Educational Unit. Almost all of the work for this project was done by the men of the congregation. Today, in simple beauty, our temple stands among us as a quiet place of worship. May it always be to the Glory of God.
Info from - back of Bisbee Lutheran Church plate
|
|
BISBEE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Dakota Territory became the home of Bisbee Lutheran Church in 1888. Services were held at the Ole Pederson home, after which the 16 adults present agreed to organize the Lutheran Church. That was January 29, 1888, before the establishment of Hanson Post Office, which later became Bisbee.
Records indicate that the first baptism in the church was conducted on January 29, 1888, by Rev. J. V. Pederson. Ella Pauline, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Pederson, was the infant baptized.
On May 6, 1888, Rev. J. V. Pederson had services again at the Ole Pederson home. Afterwards, a congregational meeting was called to complete the organization and adoption of a constitution. The name chosen was "The First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church" of Towner County, Dakota.
As early as August 1888, Rev. B. Hagboe conducted services. This was the beginning of a twenty-year relationship with Bis-bee Lutheran Church.
On November 15, 1888, the first annual meeting was held at Ole Jacobson's store in Bisbee. By unanimous vote, the name was changed to "St. Olaf Norwegian Lutheran Church" of Towner County, Dakota.
Collections for the pastor's salary in the early years gives insight to the times. They are as follows: Lutheran Free Church.
1888 - collection of $42.00, with $5.00 not in yet.
1889 - collection of $26.50.
1890 - collection of $28.75.
1891 - collection swelled to $130.00.
1892 - collection of $69.00.
On March 13, 1899, a special meeting was held at the Great Northern section house. At this meeting, the congregation severed its connection with the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. After this decision, the congregation chose the name Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bisbee.
Services were now held at the school. Financial conditions improved by the turn of the century. After accepting a gift of the site for a new church from the Haskamp-Thien Co., Ole Lien, Helge Larson and Martin Nilsen were trustees entrusted with the building of a new church.
As the church was completed, the congregation voted unanimously in 1915 to build a parsonage. It was occupied just before Christmas in 1915 by Rev. H. O. Helseth.
Misfortune struck Sunday morning, December 5, 1915, when the church burned to the ground. It is believed that the fire resulted from an overheated furnace.
On March 18, 1916, the congregation unanimously decided to build a new church. Axel Egeland, Jakob Nilsen, Elias Oakland, Martin Wibe and Rev. Helseth were the building committee. On December 9, 1916, the annual meeting was held in the new church.
A three-day festival, June 24-26, 1938, marked the fifty-year celebration for Bisbee Lutheran Church. The seventy-fifth anniversary was held June 21-23, 1963.
Repairs and improvements were made over the years, as they were needed, until 1961, when the old church was remodeled as an education building and a new church was built. The committee involved in the building plans for the new church were Oscar Larson, Iver Solberg, Haaken Anderson, Albert Markwardt, Lewis Halling, Merrill Johnson, Harold Sand, Mrs. Arthur Berg and Mrs. Albert Oakland. The cornerstone was laid on January 28, 1962.
Writing history of the church must include mention of the office of "Klokkar." This person would help the pastor as he officiated at the altar in olden days. Certain prayers were read by the Klokkar, but his most important duty was leading the singing of the congregation in the absence of an organ or piano. Mr. Jens Loe and Mr. Christ Kvalevog were Klokkars in the early church.
Later, with an organ in the church, the office was gradually dispensed with and select groups of "singers" occasionally sang for services. In time, the choir came to be directed for many years by Miss Alfreda Brekke and Mrs. Howard Peterson.
On January 21, 1961, the choir experienced the thrill of singing from the new church balcony under the direction of Harold Bakk.
Over the years, the women's group has been very active in Bisbee Lutheran Church. In 1897, the Ladies' Aid Society was organized and met only during the summer months in the early days. From the beginning, efforts were made to support missions, but the ladies also seemed to find money for a multitude of needs. They continue today with monthly Bible study and various projects that include an annual bazaar.
Sunday School and Luther League are the continuing efforts of Bisbee Lutheran Church to meet the needs of the young people of the community. Sunrise services at Easter have become a special project maintained by the Luther League.
1988 marks the 100-year anniversary of Bisbee Lutheran Church. Activities throughout the year 1988 will commemorate the progression of the church body from Dakota Territory days to the present time.
Info from – Bisbee: A History of Its People and Events (page 23 thru 25)
Dakota Territory became the home of Bisbee Lutheran Church in 1888. Services were held at the Ole Pederson home, after which the 16 adults present agreed to organize the Lutheran Church. That was January 29, 1888, before the establishment of Hanson Post Office, which later became Bisbee.
Records indicate that the first baptism in the church was conducted on January 29, 1888, by Rev. J. V. Pederson. Ella Pauline, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Pederson, was the infant baptized.
On May 6, 1888, Rev. J. V. Pederson had services again at the Ole Pederson home. Afterwards, a congregational meeting was called to complete the organization and adoption of a constitution. The name chosen was "The First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church" of Towner County, Dakota.
As early as August 1888, Rev. B. Hagboe conducted services. This was the beginning of a twenty-year relationship with Bis-bee Lutheran Church.
On November 15, 1888, the first annual meeting was held at Ole Jacobson's store in Bisbee. By unanimous vote, the name was changed to "St. Olaf Norwegian Lutheran Church" of Towner County, Dakota.
Collections for the pastor's salary in the early years gives insight to the times. They are as follows: Lutheran Free Church.
1888 - collection of $42.00, with $5.00 not in yet.
1889 - collection of $26.50.
1890 - collection of $28.75.
1891 - collection swelled to $130.00.
1892 - collection of $69.00.
On March 13, 1899, a special meeting was held at the Great Northern section house. At this meeting, the congregation severed its connection with the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. After this decision, the congregation chose the name Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bisbee.
Services were now held at the school. Financial conditions improved by the turn of the century. After accepting a gift of the site for a new church from the Haskamp-Thien Co., Ole Lien, Helge Larson and Martin Nilsen were trustees entrusted with the building of a new church.
As the church was completed, the congregation voted unanimously in 1915 to build a parsonage. It was occupied just before Christmas in 1915 by Rev. H. O. Helseth.
Misfortune struck Sunday morning, December 5, 1915, when the church burned to the ground. It is believed that the fire resulted from an overheated furnace.
On March 18, 1916, the congregation unanimously decided to build a new church. Axel Egeland, Jakob Nilsen, Elias Oakland, Martin Wibe and Rev. Helseth were the building committee. On December 9, 1916, the annual meeting was held in the new church.
A three-day festival, June 24-26, 1938, marked the fifty-year celebration for Bisbee Lutheran Church. The seventy-fifth anniversary was held June 21-23, 1963.
Repairs and improvements were made over the years, as they were needed, until 1961, when the old church was remodeled as an education building and a new church was built. The committee involved in the building plans for the new church were Oscar Larson, Iver Solberg, Haaken Anderson, Albert Markwardt, Lewis Halling, Merrill Johnson, Harold Sand, Mrs. Arthur Berg and Mrs. Albert Oakland. The cornerstone was laid on January 28, 1962.
Writing history of the church must include mention of the office of "Klokkar." This person would help the pastor as he officiated at the altar in olden days. Certain prayers were read by the Klokkar, but his most important duty was leading the singing of the congregation in the absence of an organ or piano. Mr. Jens Loe and Mr. Christ Kvalevog were Klokkars in the early church.
Later, with an organ in the church, the office was gradually dispensed with and select groups of "singers" occasionally sang for services. In time, the choir came to be directed for many years by Miss Alfreda Brekke and Mrs. Howard Peterson.
On January 21, 1961, the choir experienced the thrill of singing from the new church balcony under the direction of Harold Bakk.
Over the years, the women's group has been very active in Bisbee Lutheran Church. In 1897, the Ladies' Aid Society was organized and met only during the summer months in the early days. From the beginning, efforts were made to support missions, but the ladies also seemed to find money for a multitude of needs. They continue today with monthly Bible study and various projects that include an annual bazaar.
Sunday School and Luther League are the continuing efforts of Bisbee Lutheran Church to meet the needs of the young people of the community. Sunrise services at Easter have become a special project maintained by the Luther League.
1988 marks the 100-year anniversary of Bisbee Lutheran Church. Activities throughout the year 1988 will commemorate the progression of the church body from Dakota Territory days to the present time.
Info from – Bisbee: A History of Its People and Events (page 23 thru 25)