First Lutheran Church
436 1st Ave N
New Rockford, Eddy County, North Dakota 58356
436 1st Ave N
New Rockford, Eddy County, North Dakota 58356
First Lutheran Church
New Rockford, North Dakota
First Lutheran congregation was organized October 14, 1920. The present church was erected 1950-51. The following pastors have served First Lutheran Church.
John S. Sunde 1920-1921
Theodore Lund 1923-1928
E. C. Tollefson 1928-1929
G. L. Halmrast 1929-1931
H. A. Lunde 1931-1941
L. M. Strand 1941-1942
E. L. Bentson 1943-1944
E. M. Sletton 1945-1949
K. S. Michelson 1949-
This memorial plate is a project of the Dorcas Guild in 1953.
Info from - back of First Lutheran Church plate
New Rockford, North Dakota
First Lutheran congregation was organized October 14, 1920. The present church was erected 1950-51. The following pastors have served First Lutheran Church.
John S. Sunde 1920-1921
Theodore Lund 1923-1928
E. C. Tollefson 1928-1929
G. L. Halmrast 1929-1931
H. A. Lunde 1931-1941
L. M. Strand 1941-1942
E. L. Bentson 1943-1944
E. M. Sletton 1945-1949
K. S. Michelson 1949-
This memorial plate is a project of the Dorcas Guild in 1953.
Info from - back of First Lutheran Church plate
First Lutheran Church
New Rockford, North Dakota
First Lutheran Church was organized October 14, 1920. The present church was erected 1950-52. A new addition consisting of a followship hall, offices, and kitchen was dedicated on February 24, 2002. The following pastors have served First Lutheran Church.
John S. Sunde 1920-1921
Theodore Lund 1923-1928
E. C. Tollefson 1928-1929
G. L. Halmrast 1929-1931
H. A. Lunde 1931-1941
L. M. Strand 1941-1942
E. L. Bentson 1943-1944
E. M. Sletton 1945-1949
K. S. Michelson 1949-1957
Arland Fiske 1957-1961
Allan Turmo 1962-1969
E. O. Ulring 1967-1970
Robert Nilson 1970-1981
Douglas Larson 1981-1998
Jeffrey Johnson 1999-2003
Info from - back of First Lutheran Church plate
New Rockford, North Dakota
First Lutheran Church was organized October 14, 1920. The present church was erected 1950-52. A new addition consisting of a followship hall, offices, and kitchen was dedicated on February 24, 2002. The following pastors have served First Lutheran Church.
John S. Sunde 1920-1921
Theodore Lund 1923-1928
E. C. Tollefson 1928-1929
G. L. Halmrast 1929-1931
H. A. Lunde 1931-1941
L. M. Strand 1941-1942
E. L. Bentson 1943-1944
E. M. Sletton 1945-1949
K. S. Michelson 1949-1957
Arland Fiske 1957-1961
Allan Turmo 1962-1969
E. O. Ulring 1967-1970
Robert Nilson 1970-1981
Douglas Larson 1981-1998
Jeffrey Johnson 1999-2003
Info from - back of First Lutheran Church plate
First Lutheran Church
Bethlehem Lutheran was the selected name for First Lutheran Church at its organizational meeting October 14, 1920, which was held at the Martin Dorr home. (Mr. Dorr, the last surviving charter member, passed away March 26, 1970, at Wahpeton, N. D.)
Charter members were Mr. and Mrs. Peter Skarpness (parents of Bertha Dodds), Mr. Hans Olson, Miss Anna Olson, Mrs. Martin Haas, Mr. and Mrs. Nels Gunvaldson, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gutterud, Mr. and Mrs. M. O. Brenny and Mr. and Mrs. Martin Dorr. Worship services were held at the courthouse.
In 1923 a small church was purchased at Sheyenne and moved to the present site of the church. Dedication was held in 1925. The name was changed to First Lutheran in 1932.
After the last worship service on Palm Sunday, April 2, 1950, the small wood structure was moved and became the Assembly of God Church.
The present brick structure was completed and dedicated in 1951. During the interim, worship services were held at the Brown Memorial.
Growth in church membership was evident in the early 1940's; therefore, a building fund was established. By 1949 membership had increased by 282, by 1956 548 members, and 732 members in 1961. Presently, active baptized membership stands at 779.
Pastors who have served First Lutheran are:
Rev. John S. Sunde1920-21
Rev. Theodore Lund1923-28
Rev. E. C. Tollefson1928-29
Rev. G. H. Halmrast1929-31
Rev. H. A. Lunde1931-41
Rev. L. M. Strand1941-42
Rev. E. L. Benston1943-44
Rev. E. M. Sletten1945-49
Rev. K. S. Michelson1949-57
Rev. Arland Fiske1957-61
Rev. Allan Turmo1963-69
Rev. Robert J. Nilson1970-81
Rev. Douglas G. Larson1981-Two Sunday worship services began in 1962.
Rev. L. M. Strand was the first resident pastor. The first parsonage is now occupied by Eldon Nelsons, second parsonage is the present home of Albert Hohensteins, and the third parsonage, former home of Rev. Theodore Lund, is now occupied by Theresa Knott. During the winter of 1981-82, a new structure was built on the west edge of the city where the present pastor and family resides.
The church women were the mainstay in the encouragement of early Christian growth of the church with the numerous involvement of improvement of church facilities. This is also evident today.
Other areas of strength of Christian endeavor is it's Sunday School, youth programs, brotherhood, choirs, Bible studies, stewardship, etc.
Winn Mott served as intern in 1961-62. Mrs. Mott organized the first kindergarten which continued a number of years.
In 1961, the 11:00 a. m. worship service was broadcast through KDAK radio, Carrington. Presently, this service continues to reach a wide range radio audience.
Marvin Tollefson, Jr., son of Marvin and Lyla Tollefson, was ordained into the ministry in 1969. He now serves a parish near Boston, Massachusetts.
A Rodgers electronic pipe organ was installed in 1978.
Tomi Folk served as parish worker between 1980-82. At present she attends a seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
A strong characteristic of the pioneers was their concern for spiritual welfare. As soon as homes were established, the spirit manifested itself to quickly organize and build churches. First Lutheran also established the fellowship of peoples who desired to be a witness to the Glory and Honor of God.
[Source: A Century of Sowers, A Harvest of Heritage: 100 Years on the Land, 1883 - 1983, New Rockford, Eddy County, N.D., by The Committee; Transcribed by Fred Coleman]
Bethlehem Lutheran was the selected name for First Lutheran Church at its organizational meeting October 14, 1920, which was held at the Martin Dorr home. (Mr. Dorr, the last surviving charter member, passed away March 26, 1970, at Wahpeton, N. D.)
Charter members were Mr. and Mrs. Peter Skarpness (parents of Bertha Dodds), Mr. Hans Olson, Miss Anna Olson, Mrs. Martin Haas, Mr. and Mrs. Nels Gunvaldson, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gutterud, Mr. and Mrs. M. O. Brenny and Mr. and Mrs. Martin Dorr. Worship services were held at the courthouse.
In 1923 a small church was purchased at Sheyenne and moved to the present site of the church. Dedication was held in 1925. The name was changed to First Lutheran in 1932.
After the last worship service on Palm Sunday, April 2, 1950, the small wood structure was moved and became the Assembly of God Church.
The present brick structure was completed and dedicated in 1951. During the interim, worship services were held at the Brown Memorial.
Growth in church membership was evident in the early 1940's; therefore, a building fund was established. By 1949 membership had increased by 282, by 1956 548 members, and 732 members in 1961. Presently, active baptized membership stands at 779.
Pastors who have served First Lutheran are:
Rev. John S. Sunde1920-21
Rev. Theodore Lund1923-28
Rev. E. C. Tollefson1928-29
Rev. G. H. Halmrast1929-31
Rev. H. A. Lunde1931-41
Rev. L. M. Strand1941-42
Rev. E. L. Benston1943-44
Rev. E. M. Sletten1945-49
Rev. K. S. Michelson1949-57
Rev. Arland Fiske1957-61
Rev. Allan Turmo1963-69
Rev. Robert J. Nilson1970-81
Rev. Douglas G. Larson1981-Two Sunday worship services began in 1962.
Rev. L. M. Strand was the first resident pastor. The first parsonage is now occupied by Eldon Nelsons, second parsonage is the present home of Albert Hohensteins, and the third parsonage, former home of Rev. Theodore Lund, is now occupied by Theresa Knott. During the winter of 1981-82, a new structure was built on the west edge of the city where the present pastor and family resides.
The church women were the mainstay in the encouragement of early Christian growth of the church with the numerous involvement of improvement of church facilities. This is also evident today.
Other areas of strength of Christian endeavor is it's Sunday School, youth programs, brotherhood, choirs, Bible studies, stewardship, etc.
Winn Mott served as intern in 1961-62. Mrs. Mott organized the first kindergarten which continued a number of years.
In 1961, the 11:00 a. m. worship service was broadcast through KDAK radio, Carrington. Presently, this service continues to reach a wide range radio audience.
Marvin Tollefson, Jr., son of Marvin and Lyla Tollefson, was ordained into the ministry in 1969. He now serves a parish near Boston, Massachusetts.
A Rodgers electronic pipe organ was installed in 1978.
Tomi Folk served as parish worker between 1980-82. At present she attends a seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
A strong characteristic of the pioneers was their concern for spiritual welfare. As soon as homes were established, the spirit manifested itself to quickly organize and build churches. First Lutheran also established the fellowship of peoples who desired to be a witness to the Glory and Honor of God.
[Source: A Century of Sowers, A Harvest of Heritage: 100 Years on the Land, 1883 - 1983, New Rockford, Eddy County, N.D., by The Committee; Transcribed by Fred Coleman]