Immanuel Lutheran Church
48.04763, -99.52491
Maddock, Albert Township, Benson County, North Dakota 58348
48.04763, -99.52491
Maddock, Albert Township, Benson County, North Dakota 58348
The Immanuel Lutheran Church was organized in 1887. This church edifice will remain in the memory of all as a symbol of God's blessings, and of the early pioneers and members who strived so hard to make possible the congregation of today.
The following Pastors have served this congregation:
Rev. G.C. Gjestad 1887
Rev. O.P. Svingen 1888
Rev. C.P. Winther 1894 - 1896
Rev. J.J. Loftaas 1896 - 1906
Rev. J.T.J. Krostad 1906 - 1912
Rev. O.H. Elstad 1914 - 1938
Rev. G.W. Mathre 1938 - 1942
Rev. Henry Norem 1942 - 1952
Rev. Elmer O. Anhalt 1953 - 1957
Lay Pastor M.P. Clouse 1957 - 1960
Rev. Roger G. Paulson 1961 -
Information - back of Albert Immanuel Lutheran Church 1887-1962 Maddock, North Dakota plate
The following Pastors have served this congregation:
Rev. G.C. Gjestad 1887
Rev. O.P. Svingen 1888
Rev. C.P. Winther 1894 - 1896
Rev. J.J. Loftaas 1896 - 1906
Rev. J.T.J. Krostad 1906 - 1912
Rev. O.H. Elstad 1914 - 1938
Rev. G.W. Mathre 1938 - 1942
Rev. Henry Norem 1942 - 1952
Rev. Elmer O. Anhalt 1953 - 1957
Lay Pastor M.P. Clouse 1957 - 1960
Rev. Roger G. Paulson 1961 -
Information - back of Albert Immanuel Lutheran Church 1887-1962 Maddock, North Dakota plate
The Immanuel Lutheran Church (a reprint from the 50th Anniversary Booklet)
Fifty years is a long space of time, many things have happened in those years to an individual person, so also in the life of a congregation. It is now 64 years since the Immanuel Congregation was organized. The Scandinavian people were accustomed to go to church and hear the Word of God from the old country and when they came over here to America, some of the first things they undertook to do, was to organize a congregation, and have the means of grace administered in their midst. This was also the case with most of the pioneers of number Benson County.
In the early eighties quite a number of families settled in this neighb0rhood. Most of them were Norwegians and had lived awhile before they came out here in Minnesota and other states. They were all poor and shared the trials of pioneer life. But the word 0f God they had to hear, and to start with, they meet for spiritual worship in their small homes around in the neighborhood. There were few Lay Preachers among them, who took part in these meetings with prayer and testimony. But they soon felt the need of an organized congregation and an ordained minister.
June 20, 1887, the Immanuel Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized by Rev. G. C. Gjestad, who at that time lived at Mayville, N. D. The meeting was held at the home of Mikel J. Ness and the following people signed their names as members: T. J. Nottestad, Thomas Jacobson and family, M. O. Olson,
C. C. Dyste, P. O. Lalum and family, Andrew Westad and family and Mikel Ness.
Of those joining the congregation later in the pioneer days may be mentioned: E. J. Dyrud, O. H. Norheim, A. Kirkeby and Jorgen Waagen.
For a while the congregation had no resident minister but was served off and on by a visiting minister. Services were however held on Sunday, when the minister was not there, more or less regular. A Sunday School was organized that continued for a number of years mostly under the supervision of T. J. Nottestad. A
month or more of parochial school was also held each summer and it has been kept up until this day. A Ladies Aid was also organized in the early years of the Congregation and has done a great deal both for home and foreign missions.
The 12th of April 1888, a call was extended to Rev. O. P. Svingen. He accepted the call and served the congregation for a while. Quite a few families joined the Congregation at that time.
In 1892, the Congregation joined the Hauge Synod, Rev. O. P. Swingen resigned as pastor, Rev. P C. Romo served for a while and when he left the Congregation was visited off and on by Rev. Carl Hekner and M. J.
Westphal.
In 1894 a call was extended to Rev. C. P. Winther. He accepted the call and became the first resident pastor, residing at Minnewaukan. He continued to serve for a little over two years. Quite a number at that time were added to the congregation. During the pastorate of Rev. C. J. Winther, a Young People's Society was organized.
Also, a Young Ladies Society and a Choir. These societies have been of great help and blessing to the Congregation. W 1hen Rev. C. P. Winther resigned candidate J. J. Loftas was called in 1896. He accepted the call and served the congregation till he died in 1906. During the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Loftas, God blessed the Congregation with a spiritual awakening, that kept on for years. Many experienced the saving grace of God's word in their soul.
In the fall of 1906, Rev. J. Krogstad was called. He accepted the call and served the Congregation from 1907 to 1914. Between the pastorate of Loftas and Krogstad, Rev. Edward Hovland visited the Congregation a few times.
When Rev. J. Krogstad went on a trip to Norway in 1912, Rev. O. Ness from Norwich, N. D., served
the Congregation temporarily.
In 1914, Rev. J. Krogstad resigned, and a call was extended to Rev. O. H Elstad. He accepted the call. Before Rev. Elstad came Rev. M. Norheim served the congregation temporarily.
It was about ten years before the Congregation could afford to build a church. A substantial church was then built on the same site as the present church now stands It served as church until 1916, when it was blown down by a cyclone. The year following the present church was built for a sum of $8000.00. It was dedicated the 27th 0f June 1920 at a devotional meeting by Rev. J. Lund, assisted by other pastors.
In 1917, the Congregation decided to be along in the newly organized synod: The Norwegian Lutheran Church being a merger of the former United Church, the Norwegian Synod and Hauge Synod.
In 1927, the Congregation had the Lake Region Circuit meeting and at the same time commemorated its 40th anniversary, Vice President A. J. Hulteng preaching the festive sermon.
Of the original charter members none are now living. It is now the second and third generation of the pioneers who now at the helm.
Pastors serving the Immanuel Congregation were Rev. O. H. Elstad 1914 ~ 1938; Rev. G. W. Mathre arrived on September 1, 1938, and resigned June 7, 1942, to serve at Boydon, N. D., Rev. Henry Normer arrived December 13, 1942, from Mylo, N. D., and resigned January 13, 1952, to accept a call at Spicer, Minnesota. Rev. G. Gabrielson (interim pastor) February 10, 1 952 to November 13, 1952. Rev. Elmer O. Anhalt, present pastor is a graduate from Luther Seminary 0n May 17, 1 953.
Letter of Call from the Minnewaukan Lutheran Parish was extended to him on November 29, 1952. This letter was accepted tentative to his graduation from the Seminary. On January 18, 1953, he conducted his first service at Immanuel (also at St. Peter in Minnewaukan. From January 18 to June 7, he conducted services at two churches in the parish every two weeks. (This would make a service once a month in the Immanuel and West Minnewaukan Free Churches. On July 12, 1953, he was installed as Pastor of Immanuel and West Minnewaukan Free Congregation. July 19th he was installed at St. Peter and Stony Lake. He was ordained at the First Lutheran Church at Westby, Montana on June 21, 1953.
Congregation presidents and the years they served follows: Rev. G. W. Mathre in 1942, Dallas Harwood 1943-1945, Ralph McKibbin 1946-62 and H. G. Peterson 1958-1904.
Fifty years is a long space of time, many things have happened in those years to an individual person, so also in the life of a congregation. It is now 64 years since the Immanuel Congregation was organized. The Scandinavian people were accustomed to go to church and hear the Word of God from the old country and when they came over here to America, some of the first things they undertook to do, was to organize a congregation, and have the means of grace administered in their midst. This was also the case with most of the pioneers of number Benson County.
In the early eighties quite a number of families settled in this neighb0rhood. Most of them were Norwegians and had lived awhile before they came out here in Minnesota and other states. They were all poor and shared the trials of pioneer life. But the word 0f God they had to hear, and to start with, they meet for spiritual worship in their small homes around in the neighborhood. There were few Lay Preachers among them, who took part in these meetings with prayer and testimony. But they soon felt the need of an organized congregation and an ordained minister.
June 20, 1887, the Immanuel Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized by Rev. G. C. Gjestad, who at that time lived at Mayville, N. D. The meeting was held at the home of Mikel J. Ness and the following people signed their names as members: T. J. Nottestad, Thomas Jacobson and family, M. O. Olson,
C. C. Dyste, P. O. Lalum and family, Andrew Westad and family and Mikel Ness.
Of those joining the congregation later in the pioneer days may be mentioned: E. J. Dyrud, O. H. Norheim, A. Kirkeby and Jorgen Waagen.
For a while the congregation had no resident minister but was served off and on by a visiting minister. Services were however held on Sunday, when the minister was not there, more or less regular. A Sunday School was organized that continued for a number of years mostly under the supervision of T. J. Nottestad. A
month or more of parochial school was also held each summer and it has been kept up until this day. A Ladies Aid was also organized in the early years of the Congregation and has done a great deal both for home and foreign missions.
The 12th of April 1888, a call was extended to Rev. O. P. Svingen. He accepted the call and served the congregation for a while. Quite a few families joined the Congregation at that time.
In 1892, the Congregation joined the Hauge Synod, Rev. O. P. Swingen resigned as pastor, Rev. P C. Romo served for a while and when he left the Congregation was visited off and on by Rev. Carl Hekner and M. J.
Westphal.
In 1894 a call was extended to Rev. C. P. Winther. He accepted the call and became the first resident pastor, residing at Minnewaukan. He continued to serve for a little over two years. Quite a number at that time were added to the congregation. During the pastorate of Rev. C. J. Winther, a Young People's Society was organized.
Also, a Young Ladies Society and a Choir. These societies have been of great help and blessing to the Congregation. W 1hen Rev. C. P. Winther resigned candidate J. J. Loftas was called in 1896. He accepted the call and served the congregation till he died in 1906. During the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Loftas, God blessed the Congregation with a spiritual awakening, that kept on for years. Many experienced the saving grace of God's word in their soul.
In the fall of 1906, Rev. J. Krogstad was called. He accepted the call and served the Congregation from 1907 to 1914. Between the pastorate of Loftas and Krogstad, Rev. Edward Hovland visited the Congregation a few times.
When Rev. J. Krogstad went on a trip to Norway in 1912, Rev. O. Ness from Norwich, N. D., served
the Congregation temporarily.
In 1914, Rev. J. Krogstad resigned, and a call was extended to Rev. O. H Elstad. He accepted the call. Before Rev. Elstad came Rev. M. Norheim served the congregation temporarily.
It was about ten years before the Congregation could afford to build a church. A substantial church was then built on the same site as the present church now stands It served as church until 1916, when it was blown down by a cyclone. The year following the present church was built for a sum of $8000.00. It was dedicated the 27th 0f June 1920 at a devotional meeting by Rev. J. Lund, assisted by other pastors.
In 1917, the Congregation decided to be along in the newly organized synod: The Norwegian Lutheran Church being a merger of the former United Church, the Norwegian Synod and Hauge Synod.
In 1927, the Congregation had the Lake Region Circuit meeting and at the same time commemorated its 40th anniversary, Vice President A. J. Hulteng preaching the festive sermon.
Of the original charter members none are now living. It is now the second and third generation of the pioneers who now at the helm.
Pastors serving the Immanuel Congregation were Rev. O. H. Elstad 1914 ~ 1938; Rev. G. W. Mathre arrived on September 1, 1938, and resigned June 7, 1942, to serve at Boydon, N. D., Rev. Henry Normer arrived December 13, 1942, from Mylo, N. D., and resigned January 13, 1952, to accept a call at Spicer, Minnesota. Rev. G. Gabrielson (interim pastor) February 10, 1 952 to November 13, 1952. Rev. Elmer O. Anhalt, present pastor is a graduate from Luther Seminary 0n May 17, 1 953.
Letter of Call from the Minnewaukan Lutheran Parish was extended to him on November 29, 1952. This letter was accepted tentative to his graduation from the Seminary. On January 18, 1953, he conducted his first service at Immanuel (also at St. Peter in Minnewaukan. From January 18 to June 7, he conducted services at two churches in the parish every two weeks. (This would make a service once a month in the Immanuel and West Minnewaukan Free Churches. On July 12, 1953, he was installed as Pastor of Immanuel and West Minnewaukan Free Congregation. July 19th he was installed at St. Peter and Stony Lake. He was ordained at the First Lutheran Church at Westby, Montana on June 21, 1953.
Congregation presidents and the years they served follows: Rev. G. W. Mathre in 1942, Dallas Harwood 1943-1945, Ralph McKibbin 1946-62 and H. G. Peterson 1958-1904.
After Pastor Roger Paulson resigned from serving our Parish in Minnewaukan, Pastor Richard Smith accepted the call to serve our four-church parish. Our church was in the process of realignment, so we then were served by Pastor EImo Anderson and Pastor Ron Nordin. Pastor Winther filled in as a temporary Pastor until Pastors Chris Hallanger and Russel I Wierschke came. When Wierschke resigned as our pastor, Dale Seffrood accepted the call, so at the present time, we are being served as part of 1he Maddock Lutheran Parish by Pastors Seffrood and Hallanger.
In 1963 trees were planted around our church and a "Reserve for Pastor " sign was put up. In 1964 we put a sewer in our church and flood lights were placed in front. Glass blocks were placed in our basement windows. In 1968, paneling was placed on the west end of the church proper and also the entrance.
The back entrance was added in 1972, plus a restroom.
Several memorials have been given to add to the beauty and convenience of Immanuel Church.
Colored altar cloths were given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Lars Togstad and their sons, Norman and Orville by the Togstad children in 1963. New shades were given in memory of Eddie Lalum by the Lalum children in 1970. In memory of Mr. and Mrs. William Jacobson the family gave an organ light. An electric roaster was given to Immanuel Church by Mr. and Mrs. Carl Johnson. New front doors were in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Lalum from the Lalum children. A large altar Bible, in memory of Erhardt Haug, given by his wife Grace and daughter Des Lee.
A Christian flag was given in memory of Harold Rangen by his fami ly, and the American flag, from the Clarence Williams family, in memory of their son, Norman, who died in the service of his country. The candelabra on the altar were in memory of Mr . and Mrs. Edward Togstad by their family. An outdoor
bullet in board was given by the Paul Ehnert family in memory of their son, Verdale. The clock, by Mr. and
Mrs. Maurice McKibbin, was given in memory of their infant son. A flagpole and flag was given in memory of Edwin Togstad by the Togstad family. A lectern, in memory of Hans Westad, and a kneeling stool, in memory of Lars Westad, were given by the Westad family. In memory of Henry Olson, his wife Alma gave a pulpit light and some chairs. The Missal stand in memory of Chris Sabbe by his family, and the altar cross and some hymnaries in memory of Hans Rangen were given by the family.
With pride we celebrated Mrs. Jorgina Nottestad's 98th birthday April 5th, 1968 and her lOOth birthday in 1970. Also, Martin Bratvold celebrated his 90th birthday in 1975.
After the realignment of our church and we became part of the Maddock Parish, our vacation Bible School was dissolved and the children attended the North Viking Bible School. Our order of service was changed when we purchased our new hymnaries in 1967.
We have supported Missionary Weiss from 1962 to 1969 . In 1973 and 74 we supported Missionary Tuft.
Willard Westad, Haldor Togstad and Paul Ehnert were put on the Cemetery Board to set it apart from the regular church council into a separate association. Funds from the Cemetery fund will care for the church yard and cemetery mowing.
Presidents of our congregation since 1962 have been Clarence Williams, Charles Ehnert, Paul Ehnert and Ralph Olson.
Information - Maddock Diamond Jubilee 1901 - 1976
In 1963 trees were planted around our church and a "Reserve for Pastor " sign was put up. In 1964 we put a sewer in our church and flood lights were placed in front. Glass blocks were placed in our basement windows. In 1968, paneling was placed on the west end of the church proper and also the entrance.
The back entrance was added in 1972, plus a restroom.
Several memorials have been given to add to the beauty and convenience of Immanuel Church.
Colored altar cloths were given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Lars Togstad and their sons, Norman and Orville by the Togstad children in 1963. New shades were given in memory of Eddie Lalum by the Lalum children in 1970. In memory of Mr. and Mrs. William Jacobson the family gave an organ light. An electric roaster was given to Immanuel Church by Mr. and Mrs. Carl Johnson. New front doors were in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Lalum from the Lalum children. A large altar Bible, in memory of Erhardt Haug, given by his wife Grace and daughter Des Lee.
A Christian flag was given in memory of Harold Rangen by his fami ly, and the American flag, from the Clarence Williams family, in memory of their son, Norman, who died in the service of his country. The candelabra on the altar were in memory of Mr . and Mrs. Edward Togstad by their family. An outdoor
bullet in board was given by the Paul Ehnert family in memory of their son, Verdale. The clock, by Mr. and
Mrs. Maurice McKibbin, was given in memory of their infant son. A flagpole and flag was given in memory of Edwin Togstad by the Togstad family. A lectern, in memory of Hans Westad, and a kneeling stool, in memory of Lars Westad, were given by the Westad family. In memory of Henry Olson, his wife Alma gave a pulpit light and some chairs. The Missal stand in memory of Chris Sabbe by his family, and the altar cross and some hymnaries in memory of Hans Rangen were given by the family.
With pride we celebrated Mrs. Jorgina Nottestad's 98th birthday April 5th, 1968 and her lOOth birthday in 1970. Also, Martin Bratvold celebrated his 90th birthday in 1975.
After the realignment of our church and we became part of the Maddock Parish, our vacation Bible School was dissolved and the children attended the North Viking Bible School. Our order of service was changed when we purchased our new hymnaries in 1967.
We have supported Missionary Weiss from 1962 to 1969 . In 1973 and 74 we supported Missionary Tuft.
Willard Westad, Haldor Togstad and Paul Ehnert were put on the Cemetery Board to set it apart from the regular church council into a separate association. Funds from the Cemetery fund will care for the church yard and cemetery mowing.
Presidents of our congregation since 1962 have been Clarence Williams, Charles Ehnert, Paul Ehnert and Ralph Olson.
Information - Maddock Diamond Jubilee 1901 - 1976