Lom Lutheran Church
47°53'18.9"N 97°55'32.9"W
33rd St. NE and 124th Ave. NE
Niagara, Nelson County, North Dakota 58266
47°53'18.9"N 97°55'32.9"W
33rd St. NE and 124th Ave. NE
Niagara, Nelson County, North Dakota 58266
Lom Lutheran Church has been removed from the landscape (Unkown Date)
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On Feb. 23,1899, Rev. L.A. Haatvedt visited this locality and held services in Adler School No. 2. All that were present declared their desire to form a Norwegian Lutheran Congregation.
Charter members were Ole Christianson, Tosten Moen, Elef Hegg, Tom Kvamme, Gilbert Larson, Hans Berge, Elias Olson, Ole Tomte, Gilbert Hagen, Tosten Sonsteness, Paul Severson, Gilbert Gilbertson, Gudmund Gilbertson, John P. Johnson, Tom Borgen, Nels Alfson, Andrew Pederson, and Martin Flem.
It was decided to adopt Lom Evangelical Lutheran Congregation as the official name. Lom was the name of the church in Lom, Gudbransdalen, Norway of which most of the earlier members had held membership.
On Oct. 23, 1899, 2 acres of land was donated by Lars T. Borgen for church lot and cemetery. The lot was picked by his son Theodore and the building committee.
On January 8, 1900, a church building was purchased from Field Township for $200.
On April 22, 1900, the first service and baptism of Sever and Gilbert Gilbertson, twin sons of Mr. and Mrs. Gudmund Gilbertson were held in the church.
Nov. 9,1903, was the first cornerstone laying and dedication of our church with Rev. L.A. Haatvedt officiating.
In these early years the Minister would come for 27 miles in horse and buggy in summer and sleigh in wintertime.
The first church wedding was for John Larson and Dorothy Morkrid on Aug. 7, 1909.
In 1920 the Lom, Petersburg and Dahlen Parish was formed, to be served by one pastor and that Parish still exists.
In the summer of 1921, a new church was built, 32 ft. wide, 48 ft. long with a full basement. The first building was sold to Theodore Borgen in 1922 for $200 which he remodeled for a house.
On March 12, 1922, the first baptism in this church was Charlotte Marie Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charley Johnson.
On June 25, 26, 28, 1922 was cornerstone laying and dedication. Rev. H.C. Olson officiating at the cornerstone laying service and Rev. L.A. Haatvedt preached the dedication sermon. At this service the Lakota Circuit was organized.
Feb. 25, 1932, the first silver wedding anniversary to be held at the church was for Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Hagen.
On Aug. 24, 1934, the first wedding in the second church was for Norbert Meyer and Stella Mundhjeld.
In 1938 Mr. and Mrs. Christ Morkrid were honored on their Golden wedding anniversary.
On June 25, 1939, they celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the church. The morning service was in Norse and Rev. Haatvedt gave the sermon. In the afternoon the sermon was by Rev. Thomas Anderson. Talks were given by Rev. L.A. Haatvedt and Pastor T.M. Rykken. At the noon hour the Ladies Aid served dinner which brought them $55.45.
In the summer of 1949 extensive improvements were made on the church, the old basement was rebuilt, and a new oil furnace was installed, electric lights and a kitchen fully equipped with stoves and steel cabinets, costing around $5,000.
Oct. 9, 1949, a celebration was held in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Lom Church. Rev. L.A. Haatvedt delivered the morning service. He also organized the congregation 50 years ago. Rev. Thomas Anderson, former pastor, was a speaker for the afternoon service. Rev. S. Hilde represented Lakota Circuit of Lutheran Churches. Rev. Monson was in charge. Free dinner was served to all that attended the ceremonies by the Ladies Aid.
On Oct. 23,1949, exactly 50 years to the day from the time the congregation had received the present plot of ground, the church building burned and everything that was in it. That same afternoon Rev. Monson held services in Adler School No. 2. Beginning his services with the hymn "Built On The Rock The Church Doth Stand." The next week the congregation met and immediately decided that our church should be rebuilt, so with no money and the encouragement of Pastor Odean Monson, the men started to clean away all debris from the fire and the next summer they rebuilt the basement. Fourteen months after the church burned, Jan. 4, 1951, they had their first service and Ladies Aid meeting in the basement. During the winter of 1949-1950 they held services in Melrose church, the schoolhouse and at homes. When services were held at the homes the Ladies Aid served dinner or lunch.
Cornerstone laying ceremonies were held on June 10, 1951, Pastor Odean Monson was serving Lom at this time. Special guests for the occasion were Pastor L.A. Haatvedt and Dr. David Stoeve. A large crowd attended, with visitors from neighboring churches. The Ladies Aid served dinner to all in attendance.
On Oct. 24, 1952, Rev. L.A. Haatvedt was honored on his 80th birthday at the Lom Church basement. The Ladies Aid served a dinner with a large birthday cake baked and decorated by Mrs. Norval Smaaland. They also had a program in the afternoon in thanks for his many services whenever he was needed.
In 1952 a building committee was named with Louis Larson, chairman, other members were Norbert Meyer, Elmer Olson, Norval Smaaladen and Johannes Olson. Rev. Odean Monson was president of the church board with Oscar Magnus, vice president, Sevald Hanson, secretary, and trustees were Otto Gilbertson, Albert Larson and Ole Solseng.
The Petersburg congregation gave their (temporary) altar and pulpit (that they used when they were without a church) to use while they had services in the church basement. Mrs. Norval Smaaladen crocheted and gave "The Lord’s Prayer" that was used for an altar picture at the time.
On Easter Sunday, April 5, 1953, the first services were held in the third new church.
On June 14,1953, the first baptism in the new church was Constance Yvonne Wixo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Einer Wixo. In August the first silver wedding anniversary in the new church honoring Mr. and Mrs. Carl Morkrid. And on Dec. 6, 1953, the first wedding was for Myron Hanson and Joyce Smaaladen.
On Sept. 26, 1954, the Lom Church held a dedication service for the third Lom Church. The morning worship service was given by Rev. Haatvedt, the first pastor, and the dedication sermon by the Rev. Loyal Tallakson (President and the Eastern District E.L.C.), comments by Rev. M.A. Olson, Rev. S.O. Hilde, Rev. H.O. Peterson, C.T. Hanson and Ansgar Rykken, and the Altar service by Pastor Odean Monson. The Ladies Aid served dinner at the noon hour.
In 1958 the church grounds were enlarged, and trees planted on the west and north sides. The Adler Happy Gang 4-H Club tilled and weeded the tree grounds as a club project for the year.
In 1972 evergreen trees were planted on the southside of the church yard, a memorial to Mr. and Mrs. Sevald Hanson.
On Sunday, June 9, 1974, the Lom Lutheran Church celebrated its 75th Anniversary, a Diamond Jubilee. Two former pastors, Rev. T.J. Weltzin, gave the morning service and Rev. Olaf O. Brandt preached at the afternoon service. Pastor Marvin Schoenfish was serving Lom at this time. Special music at the morning service was a duet by Jeanine Magnus and Karen Paulson, and a solo by Evan Schoenfish. And special music for the afternoon service was a duet by Mrs. Frank Krueger (Jean Gilbertson) and Mrs. Paul Madson (Sylvia Reimers) and a solo by Pastor Marvin Schoenfish. Mrs. Mildred Larson, the church organist, accompanied all musical selections.
The A.L.C.W. served dinner at noon and lunch in the afternoon. The weather was beautiful, and it was a happy and enjoyable occasion.
In 1982 bathrooms were built using the space originally used for the north stairway to the basement.
The Lom Congregation is a friendly and closely knit church family. Several picnics have been quickly planned as the parishioners gather after services to visit a bit. Lately, they have been having potluck lunches after the 8 a.m. services, and last winter they did the same for the "2 in the afternoon" services.
This is a long history, there has been a lot of things happening in the churches for 85 years of continued service. They record this as an inspiration for the years ahead to remain ever faithful in the work for the Lord.
Pastors serving the Lom Congregation: Rev. L.A. Haatvedt, 1899-1904; Rev. Erick Berrum, 1904-1906; Rev. H.C. Olson, 1906-1920; Rev. Thomas Anderson, 1920-1930; Rev. T.M. Rykken, 1930-1945; Rev. T.J. Weltzin, 1946-1948; Rev. L.A. Haatvedt, 1948-1949; Rev. Odean Monson, 1949-1956; Rev. Olaf O. Brandt, 1957-1964; Rev. Marvin Schoenfish, 1965-1980; Rev. Ben R. Harring, 1980-
Information – Nelson County History Vol. One (Pages 504-505)
Charter members were Ole Christianson, Tosten Moen, Elef Hegg, Tom Kvamme, Gilbert Larson, Hans Berge, Elias Olson, Ole Tomte, Gilbert Hagen, Tosten Sonsteness, Paul Severson, Gilbert Gilbertson, Gudmund Gilbertson, John P. Johnson, Tom Borgen, Nels Alfson, Andrew Pederson, and Martin Flem.
It was decided to adopt Lom Evangelical Lutheran Congregation as the official name. Lom was the name of the church in Lom, Gudbransdalen, Norway of which most of the earlier members had held membership.
On Oct. 23, 1899, 2 acres of land was donated by Lars T. Borgen for church lot and cemetery. The lot was picked by his son Theodore and the building committee.
On January 8, 1900, a church building was purchased from Field Township for $200.
On April 22, 1900, the first service and baptism of Sever and Gilbert Gilbertson, twin sons of Mr. and Mrs. Gudmund Gilbertson were held in the church.
Nov. 9,1903, was the first cornerstone laying and dedication of our church with Rev. L.A. Haatvedt officiating.
In these early years the Minister would come for 27 miles in horse and buggy in summer and sleigh in wintertime.
The first church wedding was for John Larson and Dorothy Morkrid on Aug. 7, 1909.
In 1920 the Lom, Petersburg and Dahlen Parish was formed, to be served by one pastor and that Parish still exists.
In the summer of 1921, a new church was built, 32 ft. wide, 48 ft. long with a full basement. The first building was sold to Theodore Borgen in 1922 for $200 which he remodeled for a house.
On March 12, 1922, the first baptism in this church was Charlotte Marie Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charley Johnson.
On June 25, 26, 28, 1922 was cornerstone laying and dedication. Rev. H.C. Olson officiating at the cornerstone laying service and Rev. L.A. Haatvedt preached the dedication sermon. At this service the Lakota Circuit was organized.
Feb. 25, 1932, the first silver wedding anniversary to be held at the church was for Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Hagen.
On Aug. 24, 1934, the first wedding in the second church was for Norbert Meyer and Stella Mundhjeld.
In 1938 Mr. and Mrs. Christ Morkrid were honored on their Golden wedding anniversary.
On June 25, 1939, they celebrated the 40th Anniversary of the church. The morning service was in Norse and Rev. Haatvedt gave the sermon. In the afternoon the sermon was by Rev. Thomas Anderson. Talks were given by Rev. L.A. Haatvedt and Pastor T.M. Rykken. At the noon hour the Ladies Aid served dinner which brought them $55.45.
In the summer of 1949 extensive improvements were made on the church, the old basement was rebuilt, and a new oil furnace was installed, electric lights and a kitchen fully equipped with stoves and steel cabinets, costing around $5,000.
Oct. 9, 1949, a celebration was held in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Lom Church. Rev. L.A. Haatvedt delivered the morning service. He also organized the congregation 50 years ago. Rev. Thomas Anderson, former pastor, was a speaker for the afternoon service. Rev. S. Hilde represented Lakota Circuit of Lutheran Churches. Rev. Monson was in charge. Free dinner was served to all that attended the ceremonies by the Ladies Aid.
On Oct. 23,1949, exactly 50 years to the day from the time the congregation had received the present plot of ground, the church building burned and everything that was in it. That same afternoon Rev. Monson held services in Adler School No. 2. Beginning his services with the hymn "Built On The Rock The Church Doth Stand." The next week the congregation met and immediately decided that our church should be rebuilt, so with no money and the encouragement of Pastor Odean Monson, the men started to clean away all debris from the fire and the next summer they rebuilt the basement. Fourteen months after the church burned, Jan. 4, 1951, they had their first service and Ladies Aid meeting in the basement. During the winter of 1949-1950 they held services in Melrose church, the schoolhouse and at homes. When services were held at the homes the Ladies Aid served dinner or lunch.
Cornerstone laying ceremonies were held on June 10, 1951, Pastor Odean Monson was serving Lom at this time. Special guests for the occasion were Pastor L.A. Haatvedt and Dr. David Stoeve. A large crowd attended, with visitors from neighboring churches. The Ladies Aid served dinner to all in attendance.
On Oct. 24, 1952, Rev. L.A. Haatvedt was honored on his 80th birthday at the Lom Church basement. The Ladies Aid served a dinner with a large birthday cake baked and decorated by Mrs. Norval Smaaland. They also had a program in the afternoon in thanks for his many services whenever he was needed.
In 1952 a building committee was named with Louis Larson, chairman, other members were Norbert Meyer, Elmer Olson, Norval Smaaladen and Johannes Olson. Rev. Odean Monson was president of the church board with Oscar Magnus, vice president, Sevald Hanson, secretary, and trustees were Otto Gilbertson, Albert Larson and Ole Solseng.
The Petersburg congregation gave their (temporary) altar and pulpit (that they used when they were without a church) to use while they had services in the church basement. Mrs. Norval Smaaladen crocheted and gave "The Lord’s Prayer" that was used for an altar picture at the time.
On Easter Sunday, April 5, 1953, the first services were held in the third new church.
On June 14,1953, the first baptism in the new church was Constance Yvonne Wixo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Einer Wixo. In August the first silver wedding anniversary in the new church honoring Mr. and Mrs. Carl Morkrid. And on Dec. 6, 1953, the first wedding was for Myron Hanson and Joyce Smaaladen.
On Sept. 26, 1954, the Lom Church held a dedication service for the third Lom Church. The morning worship service was given by Rev. Haatvedt, the first pastor, and the dedication sermon by the Rev. Loyal Tallakson (President and the Eastern District E.L.C.), comments by Rev. M.A. Olson, Rev. S.O. Hilde, Rev. H.O. Peterson, C.T. Hanson and Ansgar Rykken, and the Altar service by Pastor Odean Monson. The Ladies Aid served dinner at the noon hour.
In 1958 the church grounds were enlarged, and trees planted on the west and north sides. The Adler Happy Gang 4-H Club tilled and weeded the tree grounds as a club project for the year.
In 1972 evergreen trees were planted on the southside of the church yard, a memorial to Mr. and Mrs. Sevald Hanson.
On Sunday, June 9, 1974, the Lom Lutheran Church celebrated its 75th Anniversary, a Diamond Jubilee. Two former pastors, Rev. T.J. Weltzin, gave the morning service and Rev. Olaf O. Brandt preached at the afternoon service. Pastor Marvin Schoenfish was serving Lom at this time. Special music at the morning service was a duet by Jeanine Magnus and Karen Paulson, and a solo by Evan Schoenfish. And special music for the afternoon service was a duet by Mrs. Frank Krueger (Jean Gilbertson) and Mrs. Paul Madson (Sylvia Reimers) and a solo by Pastor Marvin Schoenfish. Mrs. Mildred Larson, the church organist, accompanied all musical selections.
The A.L.C.W. served dinner at noon and lunch in the afternoon. The weather was beautiful, and it was a happy and enjoyable occasion.
In 1982 bathrooms were built using the space originally used for the north stairway to the basement.
The Lom Congregation is a friendly and closely knit church family. Several picnics have been quickly planned as the parishioners gather after services to visit a bit. Lately, they have been having potluck lunches after the 8 a.m. services, and last winter they did the same for the "2 in the afternoon" services.
This is a long history, there has been a lot of things happening in the churches for 85 years of continued service. They record this as an inspiration for the years ahead to remain ever faithful in the work for the Lord.
Pastors serving the Lom Congregation: Rev. L.A. Haatvedt, 1899-1904; Rev. Erick Berrum, 1904-1906; Rev. H.C. Olson, 1906-1920; Rev. Thomas Anderson, 1920-1930; Rev. T.M. Rykken, 1930-1945; Rev. T.J. Weltzin, 1946-1948; Rev. L.A. Haatvedt, 1948-1949; Rev. Odean Monson, 1949-1956; Rev. Olaf O. Brandt, 1957-1964; Rev. Marvin Schoenfish, 1965-1980; Rev. Ben R. Harring, 1980-
Information – Nelson County History Vol. One (Pages 504-505)