Norway Lutheran Church
Norway Township, Traill County, North Dakota
47°28'33.9"N 97°08'03.3"W
47.476092, -97.134255
Norway Township, Traill County, North Dakota
47°28'33.9"N 97°08'03.3"W
47.476092, -97.134255
On January 28, 1892, a group of men and Pastor Jens Lonne met at the schoolhouse, known as school No. 1 of Norway Township, to organize a congregation called the Norway Norsk Evangelisk Lutherske Menighed. Later it was to be known as Norway Lutheran Church. Thirteen members were chartered: Halvar Anderson, Andreas P. Waslien, Peter S. Paslien, Ole Harstad, Soren P. Waslien, Knut Tofsrud (also known as Kunt Swenson), Peter Sundby, Syver Lonberg, Johannes S. Bergumshagcoud, Johannes H. Nysveen, John O. Haarstad, Christian Ellingson and Nels H. Wold.
A committee consisting of Soren P. Waslien, Knut Tofsrud, and Johannes Bergumshagen were appointed to draw up a constitution, and they also agreed to hire Jens Lonne to serve as pastor until a pastor could be called. He was later called as pastor and served the congregation from 1892 until 1897.
Services were held in the schoolhouse from time of organization to 1904. This building was often too small to accommodate the members, especially at time of funerals when many friends of the deceased gathered. When weather permitted, they would meet in front of the schoolhouse on the steps. The upper part served as the rostrum and the lower part as a resting place for the bier, placed on a pair of sawhorses.
In 1904 the congregation built a church at a nominal cost if a little over $1,500.00. A lot of labor was donated by members and the first seats were parts of pews salvaged from the tornado-wrecked St. Olaf Church.
In 1949 a church basement was built across the road from the old site on land donated by Elias and Arnt Nysveen. The church was moved to its present site and dedicated on October 23, 1949. A new entrance was completed in 1966 at a cost of $4,170.00. Funds and labor for this were donated by members of the congregation.
Since the congregation, newly formed in 1892, did not have a musical instrument, Nels H. Wold was chosen as the first “klokker” or leader of hymn singing; he was later relieved by Soren P. Waslien who served until the first organ was purchased in 1908.
The first organist was Josie Waslien. Mrs. Henry Nyvseen (Nee mina Waslien) was organist from 1915 until 1979. She served for over 60 years except for the period of 1940-1948 when Corrine Waslien was organist, assisted by Mrs. Nyvseen. At the present time the Organist is Jennifer Nyvseen, granddaughter daughter of Mrs. Henry Nysveen.
In 1917 the congregation voted to become part of the organization known as the Norwegian Lutheran Church and later the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1960 it became the American Lutheran Church.
Pastors who have served the Norway Congregation are:
Jens Lonne, 1892-1897; J.R. Rovik, 1897-1902; George O. Lane, 1902-1908; L.H. Haatvedt, 1908-1909, Olaf Turmo, 1909-1910; S.J. Tallehaug, 1910-1917; J.C. Hjelmervick, 1918-1920; Conrad Christianson and Pastor Knudeson, 1920-1922; Karl Stromme, 1922-1925; O.H. Brodland, 1925-1939; A.A. Nelson, 1940-1950; John D. Kronlakken, 1950-1957; Elmer O. Anhalt, 1957-1965; Fred Crozier, 1965-1969; Edward Johnshoy, 1969-1972; And Presently - Allan Turmo.
The present pastor, Allan Turmo if Portland, North Dakota began serving in 1972. At this time, Norway Church and AAL Lutheran Church became part of the Bruflat Parish of Portland. Norway and AAL alternate Sundays for services, the members of both churches Sunday for services in either church. Each church maintains its own Council and A.L.C.W. group, but have joint Sunday School, Chior, Men’s Club and Fellowship.
1981 Church officers are as follows: Albert Oie, President; Nancy Nelson, Secretary; Jerome Nyvseen, Treasurer; Aagot Nyvseen, Norman Oie and Marvin Nelson, Trustees; James Solberg, Duane Nysveen and Myron Nysveen, Deacons; Stephanie Solberg, head usher and Mr. and Mrs. James Solberg delegates to Luther Memorial Home at Mayville.
A very important part of the Norway Church is the Ladies Aid, now known as the Norway A.L.C.W. It had its beginning in 1893 when nine women met together to organize a group called “Sy Foreningen.” They were Mrs. John Nysveen, Mrs. Halvor Anderson, Mrs. Johannes Bergumshagen and Miss Julia Waslien.
Money was needed to organize, so these women paid one dollar each to start a treasury fund. The men, who also came, paid five cents each for lunch. This “lunch” consisted of a full meal.
The first officers were: President, Mrs. John Harstad; Secretary, Julia Waslien and Treasurer, Mrs. Christian Ellingson. The regular Meetings were held in the homes, where they gathered early to sew, knit, crochet and quilt. These items were sold at bazar or sale and the proceeds were used ti further Gods Kingdom through mission work, support childrens homes, orphans and etc. In 1914 “lunch money”
The Ladies Aid purchased the church bell in 1915 for $148.68; helped support the remodeling of the church, and paid large sum toward building the basement, plus numerous other activities.
In 1960 when the ALC, ELC, U.E.L.C., merged and formed the American Lutheran Church, the Ladies Aid became known as the American Lutheran Church Women or A.L.C.W. Bazaars, serving for auction sales and 4-H Achievement Days, plus quilting for Lutheran World Relief are some of the projects engaged in. The A.L.C.W. gives financial support to Red Willow Bible Camp, Oak Grove High School, Lutheran Social Services, the local Nursing Homes, our Bible School, and Sunday School.
Present Officers are: President, Lillian Thompson; Vice President and Secretary of Education, Shirley Treasurer, Aagot Nyvseen; Secretary of Stewardship, Marlene Oie; Historian, Shirley Nyvseen; Contact to Luther Memorial Home, Phyllis Solberg.
Info from: Hillsboro, North Dakota The First Hundred Years Hillsboro Centennial Book June 18-21, 1981, Pages 120-122
A committee consisting of Soren P. Waslien, Knut Tofsrud, and Johannes Bergumshagen were appointed to draw up a constitution, and they also agreed to hire Jens Lonne to serve as pastor until a pastor could be called. He was later called as pastor and served the congregation from 1892 until 1897.
Services were held in the schoolhouse from time of organization to 1904. This building was often too small to accommodate the members, especially at time of funerals when many friends of the deceased gathered. When weather permitted, they would meet in front of the schoolhouse on the steps. The upper part served as the rostrum and the lower part as a resting place for the bier, placed on a pair of sawhorses.
In 1904 the congregation built a church at a nominal cost if a little over $1,500.00. A lot of labor was donated by members and the first seats were parts of pews salvaged from the tornado-wrecked St. Olaf Church.
In 1949 a church basement was built across the road from the old site on land donated by Elias and Arnt Nysveen. The church was moved to its present site and dedicated on October 23, 1949. A new entrance was completed in 1966 at a cost of $4,170.00. Funds and labor for this were donated by members of the congregation.
Since the congregation, newly formed in 1892, did not have a musical instrument, Nels H. Wold was chosen as the first “klokker” or leader of hymn singing; he was later relieved by Soren P. Waslien who served until the first organ was purchased in 1908.
The first organist was Josie Waslien. Mrs. Henry Nyvseen (Nee mina Waslien) was organist from 1915 until 1979. She served for over 60 years except for the period of 1940-1948 when Corrine Waslien was organist, assisted by Mrs. Nyvseen. At the present time the Organist is Jennifer Nyvseen, granddaughter daughter of Mrs. Henry Nysveen.
In 1917 the congregation voted to become part of the organization known as the Norwegian Lutheran Church and later the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1960 it became the American Lutheran Church.
Pastors who have served the Norway Congregation are:
Jens Lonne, 1892-1897; J.R. Rovik, 1897-1902; George O. Lane, 1902-1908; L.H. Haatvedt, 1908-1909, Olaf Turmo, 1909-1910; S.J. Tallehaug, 1910-1917; J.C. Hjelmervick, 1918-1920; Conrad Christianson and Pastor Knudeson, 1920-1922; Karl Stromme, 1922-1925; O.H. Brodland, 1925-1939; A.A. Nelson, 1940-1950; John D. Kronlakken, 1950-1957; Elmer O. Anhalt, 1957-1965; Fred Crozier, 1965-1969; Edward Johnshoy, 1969-1972; And Presently - Allan Turmo.
The present pastor, Allan Turmo if Portland, North Dakota began serving in 1972. At this time, Norway Church and AAL Lutheran Church became part of the Bruflat Parish of Portland. Norway and AAL alternate Sundays for services, the members of both churches Sunday for services in either church. Each church maintains its own Council and A.L.C.W. group, but have joint Sunday School, Chior, Men’s Club and Fellowship.
1981 Church officers are as follows: Albert Oie, President; Nancy Nelson, Secretary; Jerome Nyvseen, Treasurer; Aagot Nyvseen, Norman Oie and Marvin Nelson, Trustees; James Solberg, Duane Nysveen and Myron Nysveen, Deacons; Stephanie Solberg, head usher and Mr. and Mrs. James Solberg delegates to Luther Memorial Home at Mayville.
A very important part of the Norway Church is the Ladies Aid, now known as the Norway A.L.C.W. It had its beginning in 1893 when nine women met together to organize a group called “Sy Foreningen.” They were Mrs. John Nysveen, Mrs. Halvor Anderson, Mrs. Johannes Bergumshagen and Miss Julia Waslien.
Money was needed to organize, so these women paid one dollar each to start a treasury fund. The men, who also came, paid five cents each for lunch. This “lunch” consisted of a full meal.
The first officers were: President, Mrs. John Harstad; Secretary, Julia Waslien and Treasurer, Mrs. Christian Ellingson. The regular Meetings were held in the homes, where they gathered early to sew, knit, crochet and quilt. These items were sold at bazar or sale and the proceeds were used ti further Gods Kingdom through mission work, support childrens homes, orphans and etc. In 1914 “lunch money”
The Ladies Aid purchased the church bell in 1915 for $148.68; helped support the remodeling of the church, and paid large sum toward building the basement, plus numerous other activities.
In 1960 when the ALC, ELC, U.E.L.C., merged and formed the American Lutheran Church, the Ladies Aid became known as the American Lutheran Church Women or A.L.C.W. Bazaars, serving for auction sales and 4-H Achievement Days, plus quilting for Lutheran World Relief are some of the projects engaged in. The A.L.C.W. gives financial support to Red Willow Bible Camp, Oak Grove High School, Lutheran Social Services, the local Nursing Homes, our Bible School, and Sunday School.
Present Officers are: President, Lillian Thompson; Vice President and Secretary of Education, Shirley Treasurer, Aagot Nyvseen; Secretary of Stewardship, Marlene Oie; Historian, Shirley Nyvseen; Contact to Luther Memorial Home, Phyllis Solberg.
Info from: Hillsboro, North Dakota The First Hundred Years Hillsboro Centennial Book June 18-21, 1981, Pages 120-122
Bemidji Pioneer - June 7, 2012_Country churches hurt as rural areas lose people by: Pioneer staff reports