Melankton Lutheran Church
Upland, McHenry County, North Dakota
Upland, McHenry County, North Dakota
MELANKTON LUTHERAN CHURCH
The Melankton Lutheran congregation was organized in the year of 1897.
The first worship gatherings were held in the larger homes, with the growth of the congregation it soon became necessary to provide more space, and the group constructed a log cabin with outside dimensions of 18 feet by 30 feet at a location just east of the present location of the Freeman bridge. A year later this cabin was mov ed to a new location near the Einar Westford place and was used for community gatherings and church services for a period of seven years. As the congregation continued to grow it soon became evident that a larger building would be needed and in 1904 the con gregation built a structure that was used for church services and community gatherings. This structure became commonly known as the Icelandic Hall and was erected on a tract of land donated by George Freeman just east of the Freeman bridge. In later years it was sold to the ladies aid of the Bloomfield Lutheran church at Upham and was moved to a new site in Upham.
The congregation was organized and named by its first Pastor, Rev. Jonas Sigurdson. The first church council officers were: George Freeman, President; Jon Christianson, Secretary; Jon Goodman, Treasurer. The deacons were: Jacob Westford, Haldor Egilson, Jon Phillips and Einar Westford.
During the years of its existence the church has been served by the following pastors: Jonas Sigurdson, Frederick Halgrimson, K. K. Olafson, V. J. Eylands, E. H. Fafnis, George Amundson, Richard Torgerson and is presently being served by Rev. V. S. Dahle.
In the 1.920's the congregation purchased the Methodist church in Upham. Fallowing an extensive repair and renovating program the congregation was soon established in their new church which has continued to house the congregations worship services to the present date.
Info from - Golden Jubilee 1905-1955 Upham, North Dakota June 3 & 4, 1955 Booklet
The Melankton Lutheran congregation was organized in the year of 1897.
The first worship gatherings were held in the larger homes, with the growth of the congregation it soon became necessary to provide more space, and the group constructed a log cabin with outside dimensions of 18 feet by 30 feet at a location just east of the present location of the Freeman bridge. A year later this cabin was mov ed to a new location near the Einar Westford place and was used for community gatherings and church services for a period of seven years. As the congregation continued to grow it soon became evident that a larger building would be needed and in 1904 the con gregation built a structure that was used for church services and community gatherings. This structure became commonly known as the Icelandic Hall and was erected on a tract of land donated by George Freeman just east of the Freeman bridge. In later years it was sold to the ladies aid of the Bloomfield Lutheran church at Upham and was moved to a new site in Upham.
The congregation was organized and named by its first Pastor, Rev. Jonas Sigurdson. The first church council officers were: George Freeman, President; Jon Christianson, Secretary; Jon Goodman, Treasurer. The deacons were: Jacob Westford, Haldor Egilson, Jon Phillips and Einar Westford.
During the years of its existence the church has been served by the following pastors: Jonas Sigurdson, Frederick Halgrimson, K. K. Olafson, V. J. Eylands, E. H. Fafnis, George Amundson, Richard Torgerson and is presently being served by Rev. V. S. Dahle.
In the 1.920's the congregation purchased the Methodist church in Upham. Fallowing an extensive repair and renovating program the congregation was soon established in their new church which has continued to house the congregations worship services to the present date.
Info from - Golden Jubilee 1905-1955 Upham, North Dakota June 3 & 4, 1955 Booklet