Martin's American Lutheran Church
502 Martin's Ave N (new location)
602 2nd Street N (old location)
Casselton, Cass County, North Dakota 58012
502 Martin's Ave N (new location)
602 2nd Street N (old location)
Casselton, Cass County, North Dakota 58012
Image - Courtesy of Digital Horizons (North Dakota Memories Collection, ND State Library)
Organized April 26, 1886, with 9 charter members. Rev. O. Fisher, Pastor. First Church building completed in 1891. Rev. W. Utesch, Pastor. Present church constructed in 1940. Rev. J.F. Graepp, Pastor. Cornerstone laying June 7, and dedication services September 29. Ladies Aid organized in 1889. Ladies Missionary Society in 1927. Present membership 52. Luther League organized in 1928. Present membership 36. Brotherhood organized in 1943. All men of the church belonging. Junior and Senior Choirs. Present membership 535 souls. Sunday School enrollment 160. Rev. A.L. Keller, present Pastor.
Information – back of Martin’s American Lutheran Church Casselton North Dakota plate
Information – back of Martin’s American Lutheran Church Casselton North Dakota plate
Martin's American Lutheran Church Martin's American Lutheran Church officially began operation in April 1886 under the direction of Rev. O. Fischer: Nine charter members included Julius Aleith, William Clemens, Albert Carew, Louis A. Taubert, F. Schmidt, E. Kellerman, and Otto Fehling. The German language was used in worship and instruction and services were held at Casselton's first school.
Lutherans from Casselton, Arthur and Amenia joined in 1889 to form a parish. In 1890 the congregation filed its incorporation. papers with the state.
The first church building was constructed in 1891 under the direction of Pastor William Utesch, followed by the purchase of a parsonage. In 1908 the congregation at Arthur and Amenia became self-supporting and withdrew from the Casselton parish.
The smallness of the congregation caused financial difficulty, so in 1909 the language was changed from German to English to encourage people of other nationalities to become part of the fellowship.
On April 30, 1911, the congregation observed its 25th anniversary with a membership of 25 families. There was an absence of pastoral leadership for more than two years before the calling of Pastor J. F. Graepp.
In June 1940 the cornerstone of a new church building was laid and in September 1940 the doors to the new, and present, building was opened for worship. A Schulmeric Master Tower Music System was dedicated, and stained-glass windows were installed in June 1948. The new, and present, parsonage was built in 1957.
The first marriage performed in the congregation was Louis Taubert and Bertha Bautz on January 19, 1887. The first baptism was William Radloff, and the first funeral was for Minnie Keller in September 1887.
The women's organization has had several designations, beginning with Der Frauen Verein, then Ladies Aid, followed by Women's Missionary Society and, at present, the American Lutheran Church Women (ALCW). This group began in 1889, and all women members of the congregation are considered a part of this organization.
The Luther League was formed in November 1929 and the Junior League in 1933. The young people began the Easter Sunrise Service, followed by breakfast for those attending the services.
The Brotherhood was organized for men in 1943 but was disbanded in later years.
The Church School is held for four years olds through adult with more than 200 students, teachers and staff now participating.
In 1965 a parish education unit was added to the church, which includes the pastor's study, church office, a lounge, rest rooms and 12 classrooms.
The senior choir was organized in 1889 and all participants are volunteers. The junior choir is a new group. Both are under the supervision of a music committee, organized in 1960.
Martin's American Lutheran Church has continued, from its beginning of nine members to its more than 750 current memberships, to serve the spiritual needs of almost 250 families who live in Casselton, Wheatland, Amenia, Durbin, and the surrounding areas.
The present pastor, the Reverend John C. Mehl, conducted his first service at Martin's on February 13, 1977.
Bishop Nelson Preus preached at the worship service on March 6, 1977, and officiated for the installation of Pastor Mehl and the dedication of the remodeled sanctuary.
On June 5, 1977, the first son of the congregation, Reverend Gerold Sevig, was ordained into the holy ministry at a special service in the church.
Information - Casselton, North Dakota, 1879-1979 Centennial Book (page 30)
Lutherans from Casselton, Arthur and Amenia joined in 1889 to form a parish. In 1890 the congregation filed its incorporation. papers with the state.
The first church building was constructed in 1891 under the direction of Pastor William Utesch, followed by the purchase of a parsonage. In 1908 the congregation at Arthur and Amenia became self-supporting and withdrew from the Casselton parish.
The smallness of the congregation caused financial difficulty, so in 1909 the language was changed from German to English to encourage people of other nationalities to become part of the fellowship.
On April 30, 1911, the congregation observed its 25th anniversary with a membership of 25 families. There was an absence of pastoral leadership for more than two years before the calling of Pastor J. F. Graepp.
In June 1940 the cornerstone of a new church building was laid and in September 1940 the doors to the new, and present, building was opened for worship. A Schulmeric Master Tower Music System was dedicated, and stained-glass windows were installed in June 1948. The new, and present, parsonage was built in 1957.
The first marriage performed in the congregation was Louis Taubert and Bertha Bautz on January 19, 1887. The first baptism was William Radloff, and the first funeral was for Minnie Keller in September 1887.
The women's organization has had several designations, beginning with Der Frauen Verein, then Ladies Aid, followed by Women's Missionary Society and, at present, the American Lutheran Church Women (ALCW). This group began in 1889, and all women members of the congregation are considered a part of this organization.
The Luther League was formed in November 1929 and the Junior League in 1933. The young people began the Easter Sunrise Service, followed by breakfast for those attending the services.
The Brotherhood was organized for men in 1943 but was disbanded in later years.
The Church School is held for four years olds through adult with more than 200 students, teachers and staff now participating.
In 1965 a parish education unit was added to the church, which includes the pastor's study, church office, a lounge, rest rooms and 12 classrooms.
The senior choir was organized in 1889 and all participants are volunteers. The junior choir is a new group. Both are under the supervision of a music committee, organized in 1960.
Martin's American Lutheran Church has continued, from its beginning of nine members to its more than 750 current memberships, to serve the spiritual needs of almost 250 families who live in Casselton, Wheatland, Amenia, Durbin, and the surrounding areas.
The present pastor, the Reverend John C. Mehl, conducted his first service at Martin's on February 13, 1977.
Bishop Nelson Preus preached at the worship service on March 6, 1977, and officiated for the installation of Pastor Mehl and the dedication of the remodeled sanctuary.
On June 5, 1977, the first son of the congregation, Reverend Gerold Sevig, was ordained into the holy ministry at a special service in the church.
Information - Casselton, North Dakota, 1879-1979 Centennial Book (page 30)