Gran Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
47°28'09.4"N 97°13'07.9"W
15603 Co Hwy 13
Mayville, Traill County, North Dakota 58257
47°28'09.4"N 97°13'07.9"W
15603 Co Hwy 13
Mayville, Traill County, North Dakota 58257
The pioneers who came from Norway were a God-fearing people, church observance firmly implanted.
When settled in their new homes, a church building, a place where they could gather to hear the "word" was foremost in their minds. Services were held in the various homes to begin with, Norwegian, the language of most of these early settlers, was the language used for years in church services too. To build a church was not easy. Pastors were few and their pastorates covered miles. Thus, we find that all the early congregations were organized in the homes and conducted their services there too, for some time.
Gran Church was organized Sept. 1, 1873, with nine charter members: Ingebert Larson Finstad, C. Hanson Molden, Andrew Hanson Molden, Iver Larson, Andrew Gedskemo, Ole Erickson Lien, Hans Hanson Molden, L. S. Larson and Olaf Svedberg. I n 1874 they secured the services of Rev. Bjug Harstad who also served as a mission pastor throughout the area.
In 1881 Gran built a church which was not finished. In 1886 the building, with additional room for a boarding school was completed.
As years passed the congregation increased in membership under the zealous leadership of Rev. Harstad. In 1884 an assistant pastor, Rev. J. Halverson was called. Besides Gran, several other congregations in a large area were served by these pastors.
Today Gran Lutheran and Mayville Lutheran constitute one call. Rev. T. K. Spande is the present pastor.
[Source: Mayville Diamond Jubilee 1881 - 1956; Transcribed by Fred Coleman]
When settled in their new homes, a church building, a place where they could gather to hear the "word" was foremost in their minds. Services were held in the various homes to begin with, Norwegian, the language of most of these early settlers, was the language used for years in church services too. To build a church was not easy. Pastors were few and their pastorates covered miles. Thus, we find that all the early congregations were organized in the homes and conducted their services there too, for some time.
Gran Church was organized Sept. 1, 1873, with nine charter members: Ingebert Larson Finstad, C. Hanson Molden, Andrew Hanson Molden, Iver Larson, Andrew Gedskemo, Ole Erickson Lien, Hans Hanson Molden, L. S. Larson and Olaf Svedberg. I n 1874 they secured the services of Rev. Bjug Harstad who also served as a mission pastor throughout the area.
In 1881 Gran built a church which was not finished. In 1886 the building, with additional room for a boarding school was completed.
As years passed the congregation increased in membership under the zealous leadership of Rev. Harstad. In 1884 an assistant pastor, Rev. J. Halverson was called. Besides Gran, several other congregations in a large area were served by these pastors.
Today Gran Lutheran and Mayville Lutheran constitute one call. Rev. T. K. Spande is the present pastor.
[Source: Mayville Diamond Jubilee 1881 - 1956; Transcribed by Fred Coleman]