First American Lutheran Church
214 3rd Avenue NE
Mayville, Traill County, North Dakota 58257
214 3rd Avenue NE
Mayville, Traill County, North Dakota 58257
In 1954, First American Lutheran Church of Mayville celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of its founding. The history of this congregation is closely related to Lutheran church history in America and, in particular, to the history of the Lutheran churches in Mayville and the surrounding area. To know the history of First American, one must know this wider church history.
The Hauge Synod, the United Church and Norwegian Synod, the three largest Lutheran synods of Norwegian background, voted to merge in 1917. A number of pastors and congregations withdrew from the newly merged body and reorganized the Norwegian Synod. They felt that the doctrinal basis for the merger was not according to conservative Lutheran principles. Rev. Bjug Harstad, once a well-known pastor in the Lutheran area, was elected the first president of the reorganized Norwegian Synod. First American Lutheran has been affiliated with this Norwegian Synod since its formation in 1924.
The congregation's first pastor was Rev. Emil Hanson, who also served the Morgan church north of Mayville. The Morgan congregation has since united with First American.
In 1926 the congregation bought its own building, the property formerly belonging to the Hauge Church. Over the years extensive remodeling and many improvements have been made. A parsonage was purchased in 1949.
The congregation today numbers one hundred fifty baptized members and has a Sunday School enrollment of forty children. The present pastor is Rev. H. Handberg. Mayville Lutheran Church.
Information - Mayville Diamond 75th Jubilee July 2, 3 & 4, 1954
The Hauge Synod, the United Church and Norwegian Synod, the three largest Lutheran synods of Norwegian background, voted to merge in 1917. A number of pastors and congregations withdrew from the newly merged body and reorganized the Norwegian Synod. They felt that the doctrinal basis for the merger was not according to conservative Lutheran principles. Rev. Bjug Harstad, once a well-known pastor in the Lutheran area, was elected the first president of the reorganized Norwegian Synod. First American Lutheran has been affiliated with this Norwegian Synod since its formation in 1924.
The congregation's first pastor was Rev. Emil Hanson, who also served the Morgan church north of Mayville. The Morgan congregation has since united with First American.
In 1926 the congregation bought its own building, the property formerly belonging to the Hauge Church. Over the years extensive remodeling and many improvements have been made. A parsonage was purchased in 1949.
The congregation today numbers one hundred fifty baptized members and has a Sunday School enrollment of forty children. The present pastor is Rev. H. Handberg. Mayville Lutheran Church.
Information - Mayville Diamond 75th Jubilee July 2, 3 & 4, 1954