Knox Lutheran Church
105 3rd Ave NE,
Knox, Benson County, North Dakota 58343
105 3rd Ave NE,
Knox, Benson County, North Dakota 58343
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Knox Lutheran Church
When the early settlers came to make a new home for themselves and their dear ones, they brought the Word of God with them; they began to establish a congregation and calling pastors so they might have the Word of God in their midst.
Pastor H. A. Blegan of Leeds was called to come and help get organized. A committee of Scandinavian birth and Lutheran faith were called together.
First members called to serve were: Peder Tilden, Bertenus Pederson, Bersvend J. Steen, Thomas Paulson, James Sneen, and Charles Beck. This was June 9, 1895, at the B. J. Steen home. They were the first to donate $28 to the congregation.
The congregation was known to be the Knox Norsk Evangelical Lutheran church. They were to use the United Church Constitution. The services were held at various homes and schoolhouses.
The first yearly meeting was held Dec. 23, 1898, in the Knox school. The only officer was Sigrud Jordhoi as secretary. Rev. H. A. Blegan was to serve as pastor. His salary was $52 a year.
B. J. Steen gave land for thecemetery March 31, 1902.
James Sneen and Anna Konstad were the first couple married from this congregation. The first baptism was held in 1899. Those baptized were Thomas Aimer Ness, Sidney Topness, Bertha Johnson and Grace Steen.
The first religious class was held in the country in the Broken Bone school house. It started November 1902 and continued until March 1903. It was held two hours every Tuesday.
The first confirmation class was held March 11, 1902, by Rev. Brevig. Members of the class were Alice Hulda, Selmina Steen, Stella Ovidia Steen, Synneve Olson and Guri Olson.
In 1906 it was decided to build a church. Two lots of land were donated by H. A. Delameter. The Ladies Aid bought a lot for $75 on which to build the church. The church was completed the same fall. Rev. Brevik was pastor. The total cost of the church was $3055.07. The pews and pulpit were added Nov. 26, 1906. The altar was added March 18, 1907, with a cost of $250.
The first persons married in the new church were Andrew Aaberg and Stella Ovidia Steen.
Oscar Belvin Nelson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nels H. Nelson was the first to be baptized in the Knox Lutheran church.
On June 11, 1908, the cornerstone was laid, and dedication was conducted by Rev. N. J. Holm, who also lived in Knox and served three or four parishes.
May of 1913 Knox church joined with Leeds, York and St. Petri. The pastor lived in York. Several pastors later served.
In February 1920 Rev. Nesset was called and accepted as pastor. He lived in Leeds and served Leeds, York, and Wolford. He served until 1942. A farewell party was held for him June 9, 1943.
A call was extended to Rev. M. J. Nilsen of Bristol, South Dakota. He accepted the call and served until 1961, when he retired and moved to Rugby.
Several pastors have given the Knox church services since then.
The Knox Lutheran church has now been made into a Knox Lutheran Chapel. Services are held occasionally, and we pray and trust in God that we may still continue to hear the bell toll for whatever the occasion may be.
Info from - History of the Knox community 1894-1970 (pages 6 thru 8)
When the early settlers came to make a new home for themselves and their dear ones, they brought the Word of God with them; they began to establish a congregation and calling pastors so they might have the Word of God in their midst.
Pastor H. A. Blegan of Leeds was called to come and help get organized. A committee of Scandinavian birth and Lutheran faith were called together.
First members called to serve were: Peder Tilden, Bertenus Pederson, Bersvend J. Steen, Thomas Paulson, James Sneen, and Charles Beck. This was June 9, 1895, at the B. J. Steen home. They were the first to donate $28 to the congregation.
The congregation was known to be the Knox Norsk Evangelical Lutheran church. They were to use the United Church Constitution. The services were held at various homes and schoolhouses.
The first yearly meeting was held Dec. 23, 1898, in the Knox school. The only officer was Sigrud Jordhoi as secretary. Rev. H. A. Blegan was to serve as pastor. His salary was $52 a year.
B. J. Steen gave land for thecemetery March 31, 1902.
James Sneen and Anna Konstad were the first couple married from this congregation. The first baptism was held in 1899. Those baptized were Thomas Aimer Ness, Sidney Topness, Bertha Johnson and Grace Steen.
The first religious class was held in the country in the Broken Bone school house. It started November 1902 and continued until March 1903. It was held two hours every Tuesday.
The first confirmation class was held March 11, 1902, by Rev. Brevig. Members of the class were Alice Hulda, Selmina Steen, Stella Ovidia Steen, Synneve Olson and Guri Olson.
In 1906 it was decided to build a church. Two lots of land were donated by H. A. Delameter. The Ladies Aid bought a lot for $75 on which to build the church. The church was completed the same fall. Rev. Brevik was pastor. The total cost of the church was $3055.07. The pews and pulpit were added Nov. 26, 1906. The altar was added March 18, 1907, with a cost of $250.
The first persons married in the new church were Andrew Aaberg and Stella Ovidia Steen.
Oscar Belvin Nelson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nels H. Nelson was the first to be baptized in the Knox Lutheran church.
On June 11, 1908, the cornerstone was laid, and dedication was conducted by Rev. N. J. Holm, who also lived in Knox and served three or four parishes.
May of 1913 Knox church joined with Leeds, York and St. Petri. The pastor lived in York. Several pastors later served.
In February 1920 Rev. Nesset was called and accepted as pastor. He lived in Leeds and served Leeds, York, and Wolford. He served until 1942. A farewell party was held for him June 9, 1943.
A call was extended to Rev. M. J. Nilsen of Bristol, South Dakota. He accepted the call and served until 1961, when he retired and moved to Rugby.
Several pastors have given the Knox church services since then.
The Knox Lutheran church has now been made into a Knox Lutheran Chapel. Services are held occasionally, and we pray and trust in God that we may still continue to hear the bell toll for whatever the occasion may be.
Info from - History of the Knox community 1894-1970 (pages 6 thru 8)