Elm River Lutheran Church
301 Ash Street
Galesburg, Traill County, North Dakota 58035
301 Ash Street
Galesburg, Traill County, North Dakota 58035
Church services were first held in this area in the homes and later in the Galesburg Public School building which became the old town hall. Pastor B. A. Harstad served the early settlers from 1882 to 1892. In May 1891, one of Pastor Harstad's assistants, Pastor Hans Allen, organized the Elm River Congregation and construction was begun on the old church which served seventy-five years until 1966.
On August 12, 1891, the following families were listed as charter members of the congregation: Ole Graven, Anton Satrom, Anders Graven, Charlie Rust, Iver Sveum, H. P. Smith, John P. Satrom, Ole Paulson, Rolf Anderson, Mathias Olstad, Abraham Jorgenson, Olaf Moe, Didrik Aageson, Knute Satrom, Gilbert Moackrud and John Haugen. Four years later in 1895, the following families were added: Fred Tanger, Hans Jacobson, John Johnson, Lewis (Lars) Satrom, John Moe, Peder Nesseth, Ole Langdalen, Hans Erickson and John Bjelverud. Mrs. Rose Haugen was the first regular church organist.
In May of 1892, Norman, Hunter and Elm River were organized into a parish. Confirmation classes were entirely in Norwegian until 1914 during Pastor Turmo's ministry. In 1919 members of the congregation voted to have one-third of the sermons given in English. Towards the close of Pastor Brudvig's ministry in 1943. the congregation voted to have all services in the English language. During these years confirmation for the entire parish was generally rotated among the churches.
During the first winters, a stove in the front section of the church provided heat. Later a furnace with one register was installed, adding to the physical comfort of the congregation and in 1940 an improved furnace with a stoker was installed. The church was damaged by fire twice and each time was repaired promptly. It was wired for electricity in 1919 - 1920. The church basement was equipped to provide a meeting place for the Ladies Aid, Luther League and other organizations. A Hammond organ with two sound boxes was purchased by the Ladies Aid in 1946.
In 1952 during Pastor Ylvisaker's ministry the Parish was reorganized to include only Elm River and Norman congregation.
A Parish Education building had been discussed off and on for many years. A decision to build was finally made and ground was broken for this building April 27, 1958. The building was dedicated nearly one year later on April 27, 1959. The cost of the building, exclusive of furnishings, was about $43,000. The men of the congregation assisted in the construction and the Ladies Aid purchased much of the furnishings and equipment. The mortgage was burned just three years later in 1962.
Kenneth Rust, the grandson of one of our Charter Members was ordained into the ministry June 18, 1961. To date he is the only one of the congregation in the ministry. In 1966 plans were made for a new church building.
Groundbreaking was held on June 19, during the 75th Anniversary. The last service in the original church was held September 18, 1966. In October work was started on the present church. The altar painting by Gulbrandsen was framed and placed above the balcony. This painting was purchased by the young girl's society which was the forerunner of the Luther League. The new church was dedicated on May 14, 1967. The bell tower was dedicated November 10, In 1904 the women served a Fourth of July dinner to raise funds to purchase this bell. It is a Stuckstede bell, made in 1904. It measures forty-three inches across, weighs 1500 pounds, has an F pitch and had an estimated value of $4,500 fourteen years ago, in 1967. It was carefully salvaged from the old church and was installed in the new bell tower. In January 1971 the church mortgage was burned, five years after it was built.
In March of 1973 the Elm River and Norman Congregation voted to build a new parsonage. Ground was broken in September and one year later, September 29, 1974 the new parsonage was dedicated. The mortgage was burned six years later in May 1980. In 1979 a storage room was completed and dedicated. In 1980 a new Allan computerized organ was installed and in 1981 a new heating system was added.
Information - Galesburg Centennial, 1882-1982; Transcribed by Fred Coleman
On August 12, 1891, the following families were listed as charter members of the congregation: Ole Graven, Anton Satrom, Anders Graven, Charlie Rust, Iver Sveum, H. P. Smith, John P. Satrom, Ole Paulson, Rolf Anderson, Mathias Olstad, Abraham Jorgenson, Olaf Moe, Didrik Aageson, Knute Satrom, Gilbert Moackrud and John Haugen. Four years later in 1895, the following families were added: Fred Tanger, Hans Jacobson, John Johnson, Lewis (Lars) Satrom, John Moe, Peder Nesseth, Ole Langdalen, Hans Erickson and John Bjelverud. Mrs. Rose Haugen was the first regular church organist.
In May of 1892, Norman, Hunter and Elm River were organized into a parish. Confirmation classes were entirely in Norwegian until 1914 during Pastor Turmo's ministry. In 1919 members of the congregation voted to have one-third of the sermons given in English. Towards the close of Pastor Brudvig's ministry in 1943. the congregation voted to have all services in the English language. During these years confirmation for the entire parish was generally rotated among the churches.
During the first winters, a stove in the front section of the church provided heat. Later a furnace with one register was installed, adding to the physical comfort of the congregation and in 1940 an improved furnace with a stoker was installed. The church was damaged by fire twice and each time was repaired promptly. It was wired for electricity in 1919 - 1920. The church basement was equipped to provide a meeting place for the Ladies Aid, Luther League and other organizations. A Hammond organ with two sound boxes was purchased by the Ladies Aid in 1946.
In 1952 during Pastor Ylvisaker's ministry the Parish was reorganized to include only Elm River and Norman congregation.
A Parish Education building had been discussed off and on for many years. A decision to build was finally made and ground was broken for this building April 27, 1958. The building was dedicated nearly one year later on April 27, 1959. The cost of the building, exclusive of furnishings, was about $43,000. The men of the congregation assisted in the construction and the Ladies Aid purchased much of the furnishings and equipment. The mortgage was burned just three years later in 1962.
Kenneth Rust, the grandson of one of our Charter Members was ordained into the ministry June 18, 1961. To date he is the only one of the congregation in the ministry. In 1966 plans were made for a new church building.
Groundbreaking was held on June 19, during the 75th Anniversary. The last service in the original church was held September 18, 1966. In October work was started on the present church. The altar painting by Gulbrandsen was framed and placed above the balcony. This painting was purchased by the young girl's society which was the forerunner of the Luther League. The new church was dedicated on May 14, 1967. The bell tower was dedicated November 10, In 1904 the women served a Fourth of July dinner to raise funds to purchase this bell. It is a Stuckstede bell, made in 1904. It measures forty-three inches across, weighs 1500 pounds, has an F pitch and had an estimated value of $4,500 fourteen years ago, in 1967. It was carefully salvaged from the old church and was installed in the new bell tower. In January 1971 the church mortgage was burned, five years after it was built.
In March of 1973 the Elm River and Norman Congregation voted to build a new parsonage. Ground was broken in September and one year later, September 29, 1974 the new parsonage was dedicated. The mortgage was burned six years later in May 1980. In 1979 a storage room was completed and dedicated. In 1980 a new Allan computerized organ was installed and in 1981 a new heating system was added.
Information - Galesburg Centennial, 1882-1982; Transcribed by Fred Coleman