Marion Lutheran Church
99 Main Ave. #4
Marion, LaMoure County, North Dakota 58466
99 Main Ave. #4
Marion, LaMoure County, North Dakota 58466
The Hepper Olson Church Plate Collection
Marion Lutheran Church
Marion, North Dakota
1903-2003
Marion Lutheran Church began on April 29, 1903, meeting in a schoolhouse south of Marion. The congregation then was named Marion Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran. In 1913 plans for construction of the church building began, and it was built by 1915. The original building is still being used today. The first organ began supplementing worship in 1951. With the merger into ALC in 1960, the church was given its present name. In 1967 the church interior was remodeled. In 1968, the St. John's Lutheran Church building was purchased, after its closing, and added to the exciting Marion Lutheran Church to form the parish hall and main entry. After being damaged in a severe thunderstorm in 1977, the church's exterior was improved, and interior once again remodeled to its present configuration. We hope that this church and congregation can continue in its mission to service for many more generations.
Info from - back of Marion Lutheran Church plate.
Marion, North Dakota
1903-2003
Marion Lutheran Church began on April 29, 1903, meeting in a schoolhouse south of Marion. The congregation then was named Marion Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran. In 1913 plans for construction of the church building began, and it was built by 1915. The original building is still being used today. The first organ began supplementing worship in 1951. With the merger into ALC in 1960, the church was given its present name. In 1967 the church interior was remodeled. In 1968, the St. John's Lutheran Church building was purchased, after its closing, and added to the exciting Marion Lutheran Church to form the parish hall and main entry. After being damaged in a severe thunderstorm in 1977, the church's exterior was improved, and interior once again remodeled to its present configuration. We hope that this church and congregation can continue in its mission to service for many more generations.
Info from - back of Marion Lutheran Church plate.
HISTORY OF MARION LUTHERAN CONGREGATION
On April 29th, 1903, a group of Lutherans who were accustomed to the services of the church in their farm homes, met at the old schoolhouse on the southwest corner of section 2 south of Marion. The name of this congregation was the Marion Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Those present were Oscar Holtgaard, Anfin Qualey, Hover Olsen, Hans Lehne, L. 0. Berg, Iver J. Brox, A. M. Rois and M. Stenslind, while Ole B. Johnsen, Ole Kustoffersen and Magnus Andersen had consented to join the congregation but were not present at this first meeting. Rev. H. O. Norby of the Norwegian Synod organized this congregation and conducted services occasionally. The first confirmation class consisted of: Karen Knudsen, Marie Knudsen, Helma Olsen, Emma Berg, Fred Brox, Alfred Hansen and Carl Hansen.
On June 10, 1904, Rev. Lars Foss was called to serve this congregation. Rev. Foss suffered many hardships in the long drives between Kathryn, Marion, Montpelier, Ypsilanti and Grand Rapids to conduct services and attend Aid meetings. He did not come by car or plane but drove a beautiful black team that was his great pride and joy. On his last visit to Marion in 1931, Mr. Foss remarked that "This team were the best missionaries he had." The first funeral was for Mathilda Olsen, daughter of Hove1 Olsen, and was on March 28th, 1905. She was 11 years old.
The women of the congregation did not fail to see the need of a Ladies Aid and the great opportunity for service in the church and missions, therefore they met at the home of Mrs. John Knudsen on July 23, 1906, and organized a Ladies Aid Society. Rev. Lars Foss presided at this · meeting with the following charter members: Mrs. Oscar Holtgaard, Mrs. John Knudsen, Mrs. Anfin Qualey, Mrs. George Rust, Mrs. Adolph Strand, Mrs. Thomas Gudmestod, Mrs. Gunder Kaas, Mrs. Iver J. Brox and Mrs. Hans Lehne.
The first marriage recorded in the ministerial book was on November 14, 1906, Mrs. Effie Olsen and Knute A. Bakke.
In 1913 Rev. Foss resigned as pastor of our church.
In October, Rev. E. O. Holen accepted a call from the Marion, Kathryn and Ringsaker congregations, making his home in Kathryn and usually came to Marion by train, being met at the station by friends who brought him to their homes.
Services were then held at the Congregational church. Under the valiant leadership of Rev. Holen and the wholehearted support of the members of the congregation and Ladies Aid, plans were made for building a church. The lots where the church was to be built were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Christ Baertsch, for which the congregation is very grateful. The building committee consisted of: John Knudsen, Oscar Holtgaard, H. O. Mannes, Ole Johnsen and Knut Nelson. Finance committee consisted of John Knudsen, Albert Bjork and George Rust.
The first baptism in the new church was that of Cora Jeanette Bjork. The first funeral service in our new church was fo r Mr. Rinerd Bomberg. The first confirmation class in the new church consisted of Henry Holtgaard, Henry Johnsen, George Knudsen and Leonard Nelson. The first parochial school was conducted by Prof. Norgaard in 1915, who met with the children on Saturdays during the school year.
A Sunday School was organized with George Rust as first superintendent.
On September 13, 1917, Rev. Holen resigned as pastor and a call was extended to Rev. S. T. Andersen who came here in January. Seeing the need of young people's society, one was organized with the following officers: George Rust, Arthur Volstad, Mona Richard and H. O. Mannes. These were the trying years of the First World War, our church parlors were used as a work room for the Red Cross and the Ladies Aid worked in cooperation with them. The church was occasionally used by the German Lutherans for their services.
Rev. Andersen resigned in February 1920, and Rev. L. 0. Lassesen was called and he served in Marion, Litchville and Bethlehem, making his home in Litchville. This congregation is very grateful for the beautiful altar painting which was donated by the late Mrs. Bomberg. Although Mrs. Bomberg did not want her name mentioned at the dedication service we soon discovered where it came from.
Rev. Lassesen spent much time in taking the church census and visiting the members of the congregation, much was accomplished by these personal visits, impressive sermons and touching messages in song rendered by Rev. Lassesen. The envelope system was inaugurated during this year and all services were conducted in the English language with the exception of one in the Norwegian. In July, 1924, Rev. Lassesen resigned a s pastor.
On July 31, 1924, Rev. J. S. Sunde accepted the call and also made his home in Litchville. He held the first service August 3rd and was installed by Rev. Berger November 6, 1924. November 17, 1924, was a very happy occasion when the Ladies Aid and the congregation paid the balance of the church debt. The Ladies Aid has been a strong factor in building up the church. Several new families were received in fellowship with us during the pastorate of Rev. Sunde. He was very faithful to conduct services and to attend Aid meetings and often walked from Litchville to Marion to meet his appointments when the roads were impassable. Rev. Sunde served these churches until August 31, 1930. The congregation was without a regular pastor until October, 1933. During this time Rev. R. A. Ofstedall conducted services and attended Aid meetings whenever he could spare the time from his call at Valley City.
This congregation was deeply grieved over the sudden death of Rev. Foss who passed away on October 23, 1932, at the parsonage at Woodworth, N. D., where he had gone to attend the Valley City Circuit meeting.
On October 19, 1933, Rev. H. O. Eggertsen accepted the call from the Marion, Litchville congregations, also an agreement to serve LaMoure.
The Marion L. D. R. was organized in 1935. The first officers were: Ollie Opdahl, Lila Pinke, Virginia Knudsen and Sylvia Tweet advisor. On May 30, 1936, Marion joined with St. Ansgar and La Moure in retaining Rev. Eggertsen as pastor, allowing him part time for evangelistic work.
On July 22, 1937, a call was extended to Rev. R. P. Haakonson; he accepted and arrived in LaMoure in October, where they made their home. He was installed by Rev. Ronsberg of Oakes Oct. 31, 1937.
Rev. Haakonson resigned as pastor from the LaMoure parish in the spring of 1941, and accepted a call to Sand Point, Idaho.
In the summer of 1941, a call was extended to Rev. S. N. Engelstod. It was accepted and on Sept. 14, Rev. Engelstod was installed as our pastor by Dr. David Stoeve of Fargo, our District president.
On October 17, 1943, a consecration service was held for Miss Eleanor Schulz, missionary to Mexico. Sermon was given by Rev. Joseph Johnsen of Jamestown, Circuit president.
After the services a United States and Christian flag were presented to this congregation. Both flags were dedicated. The U. S. flag was presented by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Schultz, Doris and Delmer. The Christian flag was presented by Eleanor Schultz.
Rev. Engelstod resigned from our congregation, and moved to Fargo, N. D. Our congregation was saddened with the sudden death of Rev. Engelstod a short while later at the Bethany Rest Home, where they resided.
At a meeting of the members of the congregation on April 27, 1947, it was decided to extend a call to Student Pastor Harold Olsen. Mr. Olsen consented. In June a reception was given in honor of the Confirmants, and Rev. Olsen. A beautiful Bible was presented to each Confirmant, by the Sunday School. Gladys Opdahl also gave a donation toward each Bible. This was Olsen's last service at Marion.
Sunday, July 1948, Rev. Bennett Solberg was installed as pastor of the Marion congregation by Rev. E. 0. Urnes.
The interior of our church has been beautified by the installation of two electric candelabra and gold altar cross. This was purchased with money received as a memorial to Mrs. Gertrude Bomberg, Mrs. Lars Seglem, Mrs. Harry Gusaas, Mr. Ed Pedersen and Mr. and Mrs. Otto Hoitomt. The Ladies Aid has purchased a grey Wilton aisle and altar carpet for the church. This adds greatly to the beauty of the sanctuary. Thus 47 years have passed into history.
Info from - Marion 1900-1950 (page 13 & 14)
On April 29th, 1903, a group of Lutherans who were accustomed to the services of the church in their farm homes, met at the old schoolhouse on the southwest corner of section 2 south of Marion. The name of this congregation was the Marion Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. Those present were Oscar Holtgaard, Anfin Qualey, Hover Olsen, Hans Lehne, L. 0. Berg, Iver J. Brox, A. M. Rois and M. Stenslind, while Ole B. Johnsen, Ole Kustoffersen and Magnus Andersen had consented to join the congregation but were not present at this first meeting. Rev. H. O. Norby of the Norwegian Synod organized this congregation and conducted services occasionally. The first confirmation class consisted of: Karen Knudsen, Marie Knudsen, Helma Olsen, Emma Berg, Fred Brox, Alfred Hansen and Carl Hansen.
On June 10, 1904, Rev. Lars Foss was called to serve this congregation. Rev. Foss suffered many hardships in the long drives between Kathryn, Marion, Montpelier, Ypsilanti and Grand Rapids to conduct services and attend Aid meetings. He did not come by car or plane but drove a beautiful black team that was his great pride and joy. On his last visit to Marion in 1931, Mr. Foss remarked that "This team were the best missionaries he had." The first funeral was for Mathilda Olsen, daughter of Hove1 Olsen, and was on March 28th, 1905. She was 11 years old.
The women of the congregation did not fail to see the need of a Ladies Aid and the great opportunity for service in the church and missions, therefore they met at the home of Mrs. John Knudsen on July 23, 1906, and organized a Ladies Aid Society. Rev. Lars Foss presided at this · meeting with the following charter members: Mrs. Oscar Holtgaard, Mrs. John Knudsen, Mrs. Anfin Qualey, Mrs. George Rust, Mrs. Adolph Strand, Mrs. Thomas Gudmestod, Mrs. Gunder Kaas, Mrs. Iver J. Brox and Mrs. Hans Lehne.
The first marriage recorded in the ministerial book was on November 14, 1906, Mrs. Effie Olsen and Knute A. Bakke.
In 1913 Rev. Foss resigned as pastor of our church.
In October, Rev. E. O. Holen accepted a call from the Marion, Kathryn and Ringsaker congregations, making his home in Kathryn and usually came to Marion by train, being met at the station by friends who brought him to their homes.
Services were then held at the Congregational church. Under the valiant leadership of Rev. Holen and the wholehearted support of the members of the congregation and Ladies Aid, plans were made for building a church. The lots where the church was to be built were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Christ Baertsch, for which the congregation is very grateful. The building committee consisted of: John Knudsen, Oscar Holtgaard, H. O. Mannes, Ole Johnsen and Knut Nelson. Finance committee consisted of John Knudsen, Albert Bjork and George Rust.
The first baptism in the new church was that of Cora Jeanette Bjork. The first funeral service in our new church was fo r Mr. Rinerd Bomberg. The first confirmation class in the new church consisted of Henry Holtgaard, Henry Johnsen, George Knudsen and Leonard Nelson. The first parochial school was conducted by Prof. Norgaard in 1915, who met with the children on Saturdays during the school year.
A Sunday School was organized with George Rust as first superintendent.
On September 13, 1917, Rev. Holen resigned as pastor and a call was extended to Rev. S. T. Andersen who came here in January. Seeing the need of young people's society, one was organized with the following officers: George Rust, Arthur Volstad, Mona Richard and H. O. Mannes. These were the trying years of the First World War, our church parlors were used as a work room for the Red Cross and the Ladies Aid worked in cooperation with them. The church was occasionally used by the German Lutherans for their services.
Rev. Andersen resigned in February 1920, and Rev. L. 0. Lassesen was called and he served in Marion, Litchville and Bethlehem, making his home in Litchville. This congregation is very grateful for the beautiful altar painting which was donated by the late Mrs. Bomberg. Although Mrs. Bomberg did not want her name mentioned at the dedication service we soon discovered where it came from.
Rev. Lassesen spent much time in taking the church census and visiting the members of the congregation, much was accomplished by these personal visits, impressive sermons and touching messages in song rendered by Rev. Lassesen. The envelope system was inaugurated during this year and all services were conducted in the English language with the exception of one in the Norwegian. In July, 1924, Rev. Lassesen resigned a s pastor.
On July 31, 1924, Rev. J. S. Sunde accepted the call and also made his home in Litchville. He held the first service August 3rd and was installed by Rev. Berger November 6, 1924. November 17, 1924, was a very happy occasion when the Ladies Aid and the congregation paid the balance of the church debt. The Ladies Aid has been a strong factor in building up the church. Several new families were received in fellowship with us during the pastorate of Rev. Sunde. He was very faithful to conduct services and to attend Aid meetings and often walked from Litchville to Marion to meet his appointments when the roads were impassable. Rev. Sunde served these churches until August 31, 1930. The congregation was without a regular pastor until October, 1933. During this time Rev. R. A. Ofstedall conducted services and attended Aid meetings whenever he could spare the time from his call at Valley City.
This congregation was deeply grieved over the sudden death of Rev. Foss who passed away on October 23, 1932, at the parsonage at Woodworth, N. D., where he had gone to attend the Valley City Circuit meeting.
On October 19, 1933, Rev. H. O. Eggertsen accepted the call from the Marion, Litchville congregations, also an agreement to serve LaMoure.
The Marion L. D. R. was organized in 1935. The first officers were: Ollie Opdahl, Lila Pinke, Virginia Knudsen and Sylvia Tweet advisor. On May 30, 1936, Marion joined with St. Ansgar and La Moure in retaining Rev. Eggertsen as pastor, allowing him part time for evangelistic work.
On July 22, 1937, a call was extended to Rev. R. P. Haakonson; he accepted and arrived in LaMoure in October, where they made their home. He was installed by Rev. Ronsberg of Oakes Oct. 31, 1937.
Rev. Haakonson resigned as pastor from the LaMoure parish in the spring of 1941, and accepted a call to Sand Point, Idaho.
In the summer of 1941, a call was extended to Rev. S. N. Engelstod. It was accepted and on Sept. 14, Rev. Engelstod was installed as our pastor by Dr. David Stoeve of Fargo, our District president.
On October 17, 1943, a consecration service was held for Miss Eleanor Schulz, missionary to Mexico. Sermon was given by Rev. Joseph Johnsen of Jamestown, Circuit president.
After the services a United States and Christian flag were presented to this congregation. Both flags were dedicated. The U. S. flag was presented by Mr. and Mrs. Paul Schultz, Doris and Delmer. The Christian flag was presented by Eleanor Schultz.
Rev. Engelstod resigned from our congregation, and moved to Fargo, N. D. Our congregation was saddened with the sudden death of Rev. Engelstod a short while later at the Bethany Rest Home, where they resided.
At a meeting of the members of the congregation on April 27, 1947, it was decided to extend a call to Student Pastor Harold Olsen. Mr. Olsen consented. In June a reception was given in honor of the Confirmants, and Rev. Olsen. A beautiful Bible was presented to each Confirmant, by the Sunday School. Gladys Opdahl also gave a donation toward each Bible. This was Olsen's last service at Marion.
Sunday, July 1948, Rev. Bennett Solberg was installed as pastor of the Marion congregation by Rev. E. 0. Urnes.
The interior of our church has been beautified by the installation of two electric candelabra and gold altar cross. This was purchased with money received as a memorial to Mrs. Gertrude Bomberg, Mrs. Lars Seglem, Mrs. Harry Gusaas, Mr. Ed Pedersen and Mr. and Mrs. Otto Hoitomt. The Ladies Aid has purchased a grey Wilton aisle and altar carpet for the church. This adds greatly to the beauty of the sanctuary. Thus 47 years have passed into history.
Info from - Marion 1900-1950 (page 13 & 14)