Luverne Lutheran Church
3rd Ave
Luverne, Steele County, North Dakota 58056
3rd Ave
Luverne, Steele County, North Dakota 58056
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Luverne Lutheran Church
The Luverne Lutheran Church was organized September 18, 1926, at the Luverne Danish Hall and became affiliated with the Danish United Evangelical Synod, later dropping the Danish, becoming the United Evangelical Lutheran Church (UELC). They were served by pastors from Kenmare, which was the closest church of the UELC District. Pastor Hofgaard and Pastor J. P. Christensen were the first Lutheran pastors from the district to preach in Luverne. The first officers were Thos. Thomsen, president; Jacob Andersen, secretary; Henry Christensen, treasurer. The first trustees were Anton Nelson, Christ Christensen and Andrew C. Paulsen. A constitution with its respective laws and by-laws were drawn up and a charter was granted on February 28, 1927, with fifty families signed as charter members.
The first three years there was no resident pastor, but they were served by pastors from UELC District. Pastor J. P. Christensen was the first to preach here from October 17, 1926, until May 22, 1927. Pastor Ethan Mengers served from 1927 to 1929 with services held once a month.
In 1929 Pastor C. E. Nielson was called as the first full time and resident pastor. During his two years of service a church edifice begun under his leadership, with the help of donated labor and money. The cornerstone was laid July 7, 1929, with the basement dedicated in the late fall. The main story frame was completed in 1931, but the interior work was left undone due to lack of funds during the depression. The church was well known for miles around as the church with the high steeple, but after severe wind damage, the steeple was lowered in 1951. The parsonage, Dr. Nygaard’s home, was purchased in the 1930’s.
Services were held in the basement with Pastor L. C. Hansen preaching until 1935, and Dr. P. L. Holm-Jensen until 1941. In May 1942 Pastor H. A. Svendsen accepted the call. The main church upstairs was completed during his first year, with dedication service on November 15, 1942, by Dr. N. C. Carlson, District President. Those serving on the building committee were Robert Jacobsen, Henry Christensen, Peder Haugaard, Sophus Nelson and Pastor Svendsen resigned in 1947.
In 1959 the Hofva Congregation took steps to become a part of the UELC. This was a natural change for Hofva since they had been served by UELC pastors in conjunction with the Luverne Parish since 1941. Together they merged in 1960 to become part of the American Lutheran Church.
John Walter, Margaret Betty and Lyle Jespersen were the first three children baptized. Vernon Green and Beatrice Heskin were the first married on July 5, 1929. Carl Jesperson was the first burial in 1926 in the Luverne cemetery.
The Ladies Aid was organized on November 14, 1926, with a membership of 20. Mrs. Christ Christensen was president. Mrs. Christ Madsen, treasurer and Mrs. Anton Jacobsen, secretary. Other organizations such as the choir, Luther League, Sunday School and Cradle Roll have been active over the years.
Many improvements have been made over the years, such as building on the study and the restrooms in the 1950’s, remodeling the kitchen and refinishing the pews. The beautiful oak altar and pulpit were built by Pastor Kenneth Peterson. Another beautiful birch altar and lectern were built for the Sunday School by Jacob Anderson, Jr.
In 1976 Luverne Lutheran Church observed its 50th Anniversary of the organization of the congregation.
Pastors serving Luverne Lutheran in later years were:
Rev. P. J. Vammen 1947-1952
Rev. Kenneth H. Peterson 1953-1957
Rev. Ralph S. Spear 1958-1963
Rev. Lee R. Mentink 1963-1966
Pastor M. P. Clouse 1966-1969
Rev. W. A. Larson 1970-1975
Rev. James Winjum 1976-1981
Rev. Janice Peterson 1981-
Info from – Steele County 1883- 1983 A Centennial Commemoration (pages 266 & 267)
The Luverne Lutheran Church was organized September 18, 1926, at the Luverne Danish Hall and became affiliated with the Danish United Evangelical Synod, later dropping the Danish, becoming the United Evangelical Lutheran Church (UELC). They were served by pastors from Kenmare, which was the closest church of the UELC District. Pastor Hofgaard and Pastor J. P. Christensen were the first Lutheran pastors from the district to preach in Luverne. The first officers were Thos. Thomsen, president; Jacob Andersen, secretary; Henry Christensen, treasurer. The first trustees were Anton Nelson, Christ Christensen and Andrew C. Paulsen. A constitution with its respective laws and by-laws were drawn up and a charter was granted on February 28, 1927, with fifty families signed as charter members.
The first three years there was no resident pastor, but they were served by pastors from UELC District. Pastor J. P. Christensen was the first to preach here from October 17, 1926, until May 22, 1927. Pastor Ethan Mengers served from 1927 to 1929 with services held once a month.
In 1929 Pastor C. E. Nielson was called as the first full time and resident pastor. During his two years of service a church edifice begun under his leadership, with the help of donated labor and money. The cornerstone was laid July 7, 1929, with the basement dedicated in the late fall. The main story frame was completed in 1931, but the interior work was left undone due to lack of funds during the depression. The church was well known for miles around as the church with the high steeple, but after severe wind damage, the steeple was lowered in 1951. The parsonage, Dr. Nygaard’s home, was purchased in the 1930’s.
Services were held in the basement with Pastor L. C. Hansen preaching until 1935, and Dr. P. L. Holm-Jensen until 1941. In May 1942 Pastor H. A. Svendsen accepted the call. The main church upstairs was completed during his first year, with dedication service on November 15, 1942, by Dr. N. C. Carlson, District President. Those serving on the building committee were Robert Jacobsen, Henry Christensen, Peder Haugaard, Sophus Nelson and Pastor Svendsen resigned in 1947.
In 1959 the Hofva Congregation took steps to become a part of the UELC. This was a natural change for Hofva since they had been served by UELC pastors in conjunction with the Luverne Parish since 1941. Together they merged in 1960 to become part of the American Lutheran Church.
John Walter, Margaret Betty and Lyle Jespersen were the first three children baptized. Vernon Green and Beatrice Heskin were the first married on July 5, 1929. Carl Jesperson was the first burial in 1926 in the Luverne cemetery.
The Ladies Aid was organized on November 14, 1926, with a membership of 20. Mrs. Christ Christensen was president. Mrs. Christ Madsen, treasurer and Mrs. Anton Jacobsen, secretary. Other organizations such as the choir, Luther League, Sunday School and Cradle Roll have been active over the years.
Many improvements have been made over the years, such as building on the study and the restrooms in the 1950’s, remodeling the kitchen and refinishing the pews. The beautiful oak altar and pulpit were built by Pastor Kenneth Peterson. Another beautiful birch altar and lectern were built for the Sunday School by Jacob Anderson, Jr.
In 1976 Luverne Lutheran Church observed its 50th Anniversary of the organization of the congregation.
Pastors serving Luverne Lutheran in later years were:
Rev. P. J. Vammen 1947-1952
Rev. Kenneth H. Peterson 1953-1957
Rev. Ralph S. Spear 1958-1963
Rev. Lee R. Mentink 1963-1966
Pastor M. P. Clouse 1966-1969
Rev. W. A. Larson 1970-1975
Rev. James Winjum 1976-1981
Rev. Janice Peterson 1981-
Info from – Steele County 1883- 1983 A Centennial Commemoration (pages 266 & 267)