East Walle Lutheran Church
974 7th Street NE
Thompson, Grand Forks County, Grand Forks, ND 58275
974 7th Street NE
Thompson, Grand Forks County, Grand Forks, ND 58275
The East Walle Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized at a meeting held at the Halvor Thorson School House in Walle Township, 6 miles east of Thompson, N.D. on January 23, 1895. Early pioneers used homes for pastoral services, served by traveling mission pastors, until enough people were settled in a neighborhood to organize a congregation.
Charter members with their families were: G. Salmonson, O. O . Upsahl, A. O. Fladeland, T. F. Loyland, J. N. Loiland, T. N. Clep, K. Lageson, Hans Espeli, Knut Tollefson, Arne K. Flaat, K. Flaat, L. K. Johnson, Ole Torbenson, Halvor Thorson, A. J. Prestegaren, T. N. Loyland, O. N. Loyland, D.S. Roisland, K. T. Roinstand and E. Omlid.
The church construction was begun by Ole Nordbo in May of 1895, and completed, except for minor details, in 1896. The costs were approximately $1,925.00 for materials purchased and $500.00 for labor. The first pastor was A. J. Hulteng, 1895-1923. The pastor's salary in January 1895 was set at $200.00 per year, plus three special offerings and pay for special services. His salary was raised $50.00 per year later that year. The site for the church and cemetery were given by Ole N. Loyland.
The first baptisms recorded in the new congregation were those of Andrew Loyland and Anne Astrid Thorson on July 23, 1895. The first marriage conducted was that of Ole E. Hanson and Carrie M. Hallen on March 16, 1897. Other pastors who served the congregation are: 0. T. Ness, 1923-1940; H. A. Lunde, 1941-1956; F. Kramins,
1957-1962; S. 0. Hilde, 1963-1971; and the present pastor, Roger Schelinder, 1972 -.
The East Walle congregation was incorporated under the laws of North Dakota in 1901, and in 1902 was officially accepted in the United Norwegian Lutheran Church. In 194 7 the constitution was translated from the Norwegian language to English. The new constitution, following the pattern of the new ALC constitution, was adopted in 1959.
The East Walle Ladies Aid was organized shortly after the organization of the church. The first president was Mrs. Bergit Knutson, an office she held for 25 years. The primary purpose of the Aid was to raise money for the support of Missions. In 1937, the Parish Hall was built using half of the old church barn as a framework. This was financed by the Ladies' Aid. In 1968, extensive refurbishing was done, including moving the Parish and Educational unit alongside the church and joining them by a new narthex. A generous gift from the estate of Aslak, Mary and Ole Tollefson paid for the remodeling.
The present ALCW meets once a month, besides sponsoring special projects. Bible studies are held monthly in the three Circles. Sunday School is held regularly on Sunday mornings during the school year and a Vacation Bible School session is held in the summer. The Luther League was organized in 1941 and meets jointly with leaguers from parish congregations of Evanger and Walle churches.
Other items of interest:
In 1895, the congregation elected Ole O. Upsal to be the song leader at services with a salary of 50 cents per family and special offerings. The janitor was paid the same salary. Each family was to supply 1/2 cord of wood or pay $1.50 towards cost of fuel. In 1901, Miss Tilde Salmonson (Mrs. Ole Fladeland) was paid $15.00 for serving as church organist for the past year. In 1947, a new floor was laid in the church and new pews were purchased, replacing the opera seats which had been used since 1901.
The church yard cemetery was the first cemetery in this area. Markers show that people of every faith were laid to rest there as early as 1876, before the organization of the East Walle congregation.
Information: Memories of Yesterday Thompson Centennial 1881 - 1981
Charter members with their families were: G. Salmonson, O. O . Upsahl, A. O. Fladeland, T. F. Loyland, J. N. Loiland, T. N. Clep, K. Lageson, Hans Espeli, Knut Tollefson, Arne K. Flaat, K. Flaat, L. K. Johnson, Ole Torbenson, Halvor Thorson, A. J. Prestegaren, T. N. Loyland, O. N. Loyland, D.S. Roisland, K. T. Roinstand and E. Omlid.
The church construction was begun by Ole Nordbo in May of 1895, and completed, except for minor details, in 1896. The costs were approximately $1,925.00 for materials purchased and $500.00 for labor. The first pastor was A. J. Hulteng, 1895-1923. The pastor's salary in January 1895 was set at $200.00 per year, plus three special offerings and pay for special services. His salary was raised $50.00 per year later that year. The site for the church and cemetery were given by Ole N. Loyland.
The first baptisms recorded in the new congregation were those of Andrew Loyland and Anne Astrid Thorson on July 23, 1895. The first marriage conducted was that of Ole E. Hanson and Carrie M. Hallen on March 16, 1897. Other pastors who served the congregation are: 0. T. Ness, 1923-1940; H. A. Lunde, 1941-1956; F. Kramins,
1957-1962; S. 0. Hilde, 1963-1971; and the present pastor, Roger Schelinder, 1972 -.
The East Walle congregation was incorporated under the laws of North Dakota in 1901, and in 1902 was officially accepted in the United Norwegian Lutheran Church. In 194 7 the constitution was translated from the Norwegian language to English. The new constitution, following the pattern of the new ALC constitution, was adopted in 1959.
The East Walle Ladies Aid was organized shortly after the organization of the church. The first president was Mrs. Bergit Knutson, an office she held for 25 years. The primary purpose of the Aid was to raise money for the support of Missions. In 1937, the Parish Hall was built using half of the old church barn as a framework. This was financed by the Ladies' Aid. In 1968, extensive refurbishing was done, including moving the Parish and Educational unit alongside the church and joining them by a new narthex. A generous gift from the estate of Aslak, Mary and Ole Tollefson paid for the remodeling.
The present ALCW meets once a month, besides sponsoring special projects. Bible studies are held monthly in the three Circles. Sunday School is held regularly on Sunday mornings during the school year and a Vacation Bible School session is held in the summer. The Luther League was organized in 1941 and meets jointly with leaguers from parish congregations of Evanger and Walle churches.
Other items of interest:
In 1895, the congregation elected Ole O. Upsal to be the song leader at services with a salary of 50 cents per family and special offerings. The janitor was paid the same salary. Each family was to supply 1/2 cord of wood or pay $1.50 towards cost of fuel. In 1901, Miss Tilde Salmonson (Mrs. Ole Fladeland) was paid $15.00 for serving as church organist for the past year. In 1947, a new floor was laid in the church and new pews were purchased, replacing the opera seats which had been used since 1901.
The church yard cemetery was the first cemetery in this area. Markers show that people of every faith were laid to rest there as early as 1876, before the organization of the East Walle congregation.
Information: Memories of Yesterday Thompson Centennial 1881 - 1981