Center Lutheran Church
47.863650, -98.226190
Central Township, Nelson County, North Dakota
47.863650, -98.226190
Central Township, Nelson County, North Dakota
CENTER LUTHERAN CHURCH HISTORY 1886 - 1980
It should be well known to all of us that the beginnings here were made by pioneers with little means and physical materials to work with, but possessed of stout hearts and a strong conviction, they realized that a house of Christian worship was a necessary part of their community life.
When word was passed around that Rev. H.O. Aaberg of Grand Forks was to stop in on one of his missionary journeys to preach the Word of God and administer the sacraments, you can readily imagine the joy it brought to the few homesteaders and their families scattered over the barren area.
Meeting in a homesteader's one or two room house, or school building, the neighbors had their opportunity to worship as had been their custom in the old country. These meetings in 1884 were not to continue long however before taking definite steps to organize a congregation. In the year 1886, the congregation was organized with Pastor S. Svenungsen called to serve Center. He was to have a salary of $5.00 from each family plus one sack of oats, in addition to offerings at Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. The pastor should have free house and a subscription was taken up to buy a house located at Harrisburg.
With due apology for any omissions these are the following charter members of the congregation: Ole Helgeson, Andrew Helgeson, Jens Styve, J.E. Johnson, Peder Bunde, Lars Jacobson, Herman Knutson, Knute Bonde, John Olson, Otto Lee, John Nerison, Erland Sateren, and Ole Haatvedt. Early members include Andrew Bunde, Sever Severson, Nels Helgeson, Ove Aaser, John Knutson, Henry Onstad, Julius Burkland, Henrick Olson, Jim Johnson, Fritz Johnson, Olaus Erlandson, J.T. Stromdahl, Hans Anderson, Andrew Skjefte, Nels Berg, T.J. Reep, and Oscar Hanson.
On June 9, 1896, a special meeting was held regarding a building of a church. Resolutions were made for subscriptions commencing in October after harvest and to be paid by the first of the year. The first officers were three trustees, namely, J. Johnson, Julius Burkland, and Peder Bunde, Secretary J. Stromdahl, Treasurer John Olson. Also, two substitutes - Sever Severson and Fritz Johnson. Jens Styve was appointed to see about grave plots. First land acquired for the church was on June 12, 1899, from Otto Lee, then one more acre was acquired on January 14, 1910, from Otto Lee, all together there are 3 acres and 3 square rods.
January 27, 1897, the congregation was incorporated, and its name changed to Center Norske Evangeliske, Lutherske Meninghed. $5.00 was paid to lawyer Frick of Lakota to complete the document of incorporation. In November 1898, Pastor Haatvedt assisted by J.E. Johnson, Knute Bonde, and John Nerison took up a subscription for the beginning of building the church. The dimensions for the church were 50x32 feet with 16-foot posts, tower 72 feet high. John Swenson and Grant Alan were the contractors for the building for $270.00. All lumber, laths, plaster, and other materials were purchased from Lamb Brothers. Lath for $3.25 per 1000 ft., plaster $7.50 per ton, lumber 12-inch boards were $20.00 per 1000 ft. Paster Haatvedt had the first service in this church on August 20, 1899, when Center was a member of the Lakota Parish. The cornerstone was laid October 15, 1899, by Pastor H.O. Aaberg and dedication of the church followed in 1905 with district President Bjorge in charge. John Stromdahl was chosen a "klokker" or song leader and reading of the opening service prayer. In 1905 the number of trustees was changed from three to five members.
June 18, 1911, record is noted that a proposal to celebrate the 25-year anniversary. Committee appointed were J.E. Johnson, J.J. Styve, Ove Aaser, Martin Flom, and John Hallin. Work of constructing a basement under the church started in 1928. In 1932 the trustees had collected all the money and put it in the bank which went insolvent. Since the bank was forced to close its doors, the trustees had to borrow money to pay the debts. The congregation was a member of the Norwegian synod until 1917 when they became a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and in 1961 became a member of the American Lutheran Church of America.
In 1939 Center Church joined the McVille Parish and in 1940 the church constitution was printed in the English language, also this year Center transferred from Lakota circuit to Cooperstown circuit. In the past 90 year period there have been 683 baptisms, 394 confirmed, 231 burials and 130 weddings. Major improvements over the past 15 years, we have purchased new hymnals, steeple was repaired and reshingled, public address system was installed, entry outdoor steps, sacristy and aisle carpeted, Chancel painted, 47 large evergreens were planted on newly purchased land that encircles the cemetery, Mercury light installed, and additional wiring in the Church and Church yard. In 1979 a well was drilled by the church and water works installed in the basement; a new heating plant was also installed. Money for 47 large evergreens, shingling the church roof, and installation of the water works was left by Mrs. Alfred (Nettie) Aaser in her last will and testament.
Serving Center Lutheran Congregation are the following pastors:
H.A. Aaberg (Missionary) 1884-1886
S. Svenungsen (Missionary and first pastor) 1886-1893
P.O. Fatness 1893-1895
S. Svenungen 1895-1898
L.A. Haatvedt 1898-1903
E.Berrum 1903-1906
H.A.L. Hjermstad 1906-1912
L.A. Haatvedt 1912-1939 L.O. Tolo 1939-1944
S.C Simundson 1945-1952
Elof Nelson 1953-1956
C.O.B. Ness (Interim) 1956-1957
W.A. Gregerson 1957-1962
Marvin Wittkopf 1962-1965
Kinley Eittriem 1966-1969
James 0. Tonneson 1970-1975
William Kensley 1976-1979
Steven Hanson 1980--
In 1961, the merger of the A.S.C the N.E.L.C and the E.S.C became the American Lutheran Church; In 1963 the
Lutheran Free Church joined this merger. Center Lutheran Church adopted the new constitution in January 1961 and started using the church council type of governing. We have had a part in supporting the following: Synodical Budget, Children homes, District Presidents home in Fargo, Seminary Fund, Vacation Bible School, Lutheran World Action, Red Willow Bible Camp, Lutheran Welfare Society of North Dakota, Pensions, Daily devotional books. Many of our young men answered the call for service to their country and some gave their lives in doing so. Members of our congregation have been generous with their memorials and many furnishings have been contributed in this way.
Information - McVille, North Dakota 1906-1981
It should be well known to all of us that the beginnings here were made by pioneers with little means and physical materials to work with, but possessed of stout hearts and a strong conviction, they realized that a house of Christian worship was a necessary part of their community life.
When word was passed around that Rev. H.O. Aaberg of Grand Forks was to stop in on one of his missionary journeys to preach the Word of God and administer the sacraments, you can readily imagine the joy it brought to the few homesteaders and their families scattered over the barren area.
Meeting in a homesteader's one or two room house, or school building, the neighbors had their opportunity to worship as had been their custom in the old country. These meetings in 1884 were not to continue long however before taking definite steps to organize a congregation. In the year 1886, the congregation was organized with Pastor S. Svenungsen called to serve Center. He was to have a salary of $5.00 from each family plus one sack of oats, in addition to offerings at Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost. The pastor should have free house and a subscription was taken up to buy a house located at Harrisburg.
With due apology for any omissions these are the following charter members of the congregation: Ole Helgeson, Andrew Helgeson, Jens Styve, J.E. Johnson, Peder Bunde, Lars Jacobson, Herman Knutson, Knute Bonde, John Olson, Otto Lee, John Nerison, Erland Sateren, and Ole Haatvedt. Early members include Andrew Bunde, Sever Severson, Nels Helgeson, Ove Aaser, John Knutson, Henry Onstad, Julius Burkland, Henrick Olson, Jim Johnson, Fritz Johnson, Olaus Erlandson, J.T. Stromdahl, Hans Anderson, Andrew Skjefte, Nels Berg, T.J. Reep, and Oscar Hanson.
On June 9, 1896, a special meeting was held regarding a building of a church. Resolutions were made for subscriptions commencing in October after harvest and to be paid by the first of the year. The first officers were three trustees, namely, J. Johnson, Julius Burkland, and Peder Bunde, Secretary J. Stromdahl, Treasurer John Olson. Also, two substitutes - Sever Severson and Fritz Johnson. Jens Styve was appointed to see about grave plots. First land acquired for the church was on June 12, 1899, from Otto Lee, then one more acre was acquired on January 14, 1910, from Otto Lee, all together there are 3 acres and 3 square rods.
January 27, 1897, the congregation was incorporated, and its name changed to Center Norske Evangeliske, Lutherske Meninghed. $5.00 was paid to lawyer Frick of Lakota to complete the document of incorporation. In November 1898, Pastor Haatvedt assisted by J.E. Johnson, Knute Bonde, and John Nerison took up a subscription for the beginning of building the church. The dimensions for the church were 50x32 feet with 16-foot posts, tower 72 feet high. John Swenson and Grant Alan were the contractors for the building for $270.00. All lumber, laths, plaster, and other materials were purchased from Lamb Brothers. Lath for $3.25 per 1000 ft., plaster $7.50 per ton, lumber 12-inch boards were $20.00 per 1000 ft. Paster Haatvedt had the first service in this church on August 20, 1899, when Center was a member of the Lakota Parish. The cornerstone was laid October 15, 1899, by Pastor H.O. Aaberg and dedication of the church followed in 1905 with district President Bjorge in charge. John Stromdahl was chosen a "klokker" or song leader and reading of the opening service prayer. In 1905 the number of trustees was changed from three to five members.
June 18, 1911, record is noted that a proposal to celebrate the 25-year anniversary. Committee appointed were J.E. Johnson, J.J. Styve, Ove Aaser, Martin Flom, and John Hallin. Work of constructing a basement under the church started in 1928. In 1932 the trustees had collected all the money and put it in the bank which went insolvent. Since the bank was forced to close its doors, the trustees had to borrow money to pay the debts. The congregation was a member of the Norwegian synod until 1917 when they became a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and in 1961 became a member of the American Lutheran Church of America.
In 1939 Center Church joined the McVille Parish and in 1940 the church constitution was printed in the English language, also this year Center transferred from Lakota circuit to Cooperstown circuit. In the past 90 year period there have been 683 baptisms, 394 confirmed, 231 burials and 130 weddings. Major improvements over the past 15 years, we have purchased new hymnals, steeple was repaired and reshingled, public address system was installed, entry outdoor steps, sacristy and aisle carpeted, Chancel painted, 47 large evergreens were planted on newly purchased land that encircles the cemetery, Mercury light installed, and additional wiring in the Church and Church yard. In 1979 a well was drilled by the church and water works installed in the basement; a new heating plant was also installed. Money for 47 large evergreens, shingling the church roof, and installation of the water works was left by Mrs. Alfred (Nettie) Aaser in her last will and testament.
Serving Center Lutheran Congregation are the following pastors:
H.A. Aaberg (Missionary) 1884-1886
S. Svenungsen (Missionary and first pastor) 1886-1893
P.O. Fatness 1893-1895
S. Svenungen 1895-1898
L.A. Haatvedt 1898-1903
E.Berrum 1903-1906
H.A.L. Hjermstad 1906-1912
L.A. Haatvedt 1912-1939 L.O. Tolo 1939-1944
S.C Simundson 1945-1952
Elof Nelson 1953-1956
C.O.B. Ness (Interim) 1956-1957
W.A. Gregerson 1957-1962
Marvin Wittkopf 1962-1965
Kinley Eittriem 1966-1969
James 0. Tonneson 1970-1975
William Kensley 1976-1979
Steven Hanson 1980--
In 1961, the merger of the A.S.C the N.E.L.C and the E.S.C became the American Lutheran Church; In 1963 the
Lutheran Free Church joined this merger. Center Lutheran Church adopted the new constitution in January 1961 and started using the church council type of governing. We have had a part in supporting the following: Synodical Budget, Children homes, District Presidents home in Fargo, Seminary Fund, Vacation Bible School, Lutheran World Action, Red Willow Bible Camp, Lutheran Welfare Society of North Dakota, Pensions, Daily devotional books. Many of our young men answered the call for service to their country and some gave their lives in doing so. Members of our congregation have been generous with their memorials and many furnishings have been contributed in this way.
Information - McVille, North Dakota 1906-1981