Park Center Lutheran Church
13437 Co Hwy 9
Hoople, Walsh County, North Dakota
13437 Co Hwy 9
Hoople, Walsh County, North Dakota
Due to the fragmentary nature of records kept during the early years of the congregation's history, it is difficult to present a complete history of Park Center Congregation. It appears that since so many immigrants of Norwegian Lutheran background had settled in Walsh County, pioneer Lutheran pastors began visiting this territory, conducting worship services, and administering the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy communion. The first of these pastors of whom we have a record was the Rev. O. H. Aaberg who lived at Walle, near Grand Forks, who conducted some services for the Park Center community and in 1880 helped them organize into a congregation.
From the available records, we quote the following and translate from the Norwegian: "Park Center Congregation was organized in the year 1880." After a worship service, they resolved to organize as a Christian congregation. Martin Johnson was elected president of the congregation and Ole Gunderson, secretary. (Possibly the congregation derives its name from the fact that the church is located near the center or middle branch of the Park River.) Elected as the first trustees were Gjermund Gunderson for one year; E. Sandland for two years and Nels Clemetson for three years.
It was next decided that this congregation shall unite with Zion Congregation (south from Hoople) and the Park River congregation (Our Saviour's) in calling a pastor, and that this congregation agreed to contribute to the pastor's salary, $80 the first year.
Ole Gunderson, Gregar Halborson, Halvor Peterson Borge and Martin Johnson were elected to select a suitable place as a cemetery for the congregation. The result of this committee's work was that Knute E. Sandland donated three acres for the cemetery and church grounds - the present site. There was a total of 167 members as of 1880 (67 adults and 100 children).
Rev. O. H. Aaberg was the first pastor of this congregation, but he could not serve as its permanent pastor on account of other duties. Names and years of other pastors were Rev. Christopher A. Flaten, 1881- 1889; Rev. J. T. Langemo of Edinburg, temporarily for three months; and Rev. K. A. Fjelbu, 1890-1897. The work prospered so well those years that the members of Park Center Congregation began to talk of erecting a church. In the summer of 1892 a serviceable church building 30'x75', was erected on the present site, costing $7,000. Pastor K. O. Storli is the next pastor there is a record of serving from 1900-1906; Rev. O. L. Kirkeberg, 1906-1913 (he passed away in 1925 and is buried in the Zion Cemetery, south of Hoople); Rev. H. O. Shurson, 1913-1915 (while he served the parish, he was instrumental in organizing the Lutheran congregation in Hoople); Rev. Adolph Egge, 1915-1926. In 1920, a fine and complete basement was built for the Park Center Church. Other improvements and renovations have taken place through the years, making Park Center an inviting place as a house of worship.
In 1926, the parishes were re-arranged with the result that Park Center with Hvideso and First Lutheran Church of Hoople would constitute the new parish. Records show Rev. O. A. Norem served the congregation temporarily for five weeks; Pastor Halvard Lie, 1927- 1928; Rev. B. M. Branford, 1929-1939; Rev. O. R Swenson, 1939-1955 (he took a three-year leave of absence to serve as chaplain in World War II - Rev. John B. Rockne of Park River filled in as temporary pastor in addition to serving his own parish of three congregations); Rev. James R. Sonnenberg, 1955-1966; Rev. James R. Brooks, 1966-1972; and Rev. M. J. Sheldahl, who is now serving Park Center, First Lutheran in Hoople and Hvideso.
Submitted by Orb in Erickson.
Information - Walsh Heritage A Story Of Walsh County And Its Pioneers Volume One Page 582-583)
From the available records, we quote the following and translate from the Norwegian: "Park Center Congregation was organized in the year 1880." After a worship service, they resolved to organize as a Christian congregation. Martin Johnson was elected president of the congregation and Ole Gunderson, secretary. (Possibly the congregation derives its name from the fact that the church is located near the center or middle branch of the Park River.) Elected as the first trustees were Gjermund Gunderson for one year; E. Sandland for two years and Nels Clemetson for three years.
It was next decided that this congregation shall unite with Zion Congregation (south from Hoople) and the Park River congregation (Our Saviour's) in calling a pastor, and that this congregation agreed to contribute to the pastor's salary, $80 the first year.
Ole Gunderson, Gregar Halborson, Halvor Peterson Borge and Martin Johnson were elected to select a suitable place as a cemetery for the congregation. The result of this committee's work was that Knute E. Sandland donated three acres for the cemetery and church grounds - the present site. There was a total of 167 members as of 1880 (67 adults and 100 children).
Rev. O. H. Aaberg was the first pastor of this congregation, but he could not serve as its permanent pastor on account of other duties. Names and years of other pastors were Rev. Christopher A. Flaten, 1881- 1889; Rev. J. T. Langemo of Edinburg, temporarily for three months; and Rev. K. A. Fjelbu, 1890-1897. The work prospered so well those years that the members of Park Center Congregation began to talk of erecting a church. In the summer of 1892 a serviceable church building 30'x75', was erected on the present site, costing $7,000. Pastor K. O. Storli is the next pastor there is a record of serving from 1900-1906; Rev. O. L. Kirkeberg, 1906-1913 (he passed away in 1925 and is buried in the Zion Cemetery, south of Hoople); Rev. H. O. Shurson, 1913-1915 (while he served the parish, he was instrumental in organizing the Lutheran congregation in Hoople); Rev. Adolph Egge, 1915-1926. In 1920, a fine and complete basement was built for the Park Center Church. Other improvements and renovations have taken place through the years, making Park Center an inviting place as a house of worship.
In 1926, the parishes were re-arranged with the result that Park Center with Hvideso and First Lutheran Church of Hoople would constitute the new parish. Records show Rev. O. A. Norem served the congregation temporarily for five weeks; Pastor Halvard Lie, 1927- 1928; Rev. B. M. Branford, 1929-1939; Rev. O. R Swenson, 1939-1955 (he took a three-year leave of absence to serve as chaplain in World War II - Rev. John B. Rockne of Park River filled in as temporary pastor in addition to serving his own parish of three congregations); Rev. James R. Sonnenberg, 1955-1966; Rev. James R. Brooks, 1966-1972; and Rev. M. J. Sheldahl, who is now serving Park Center, First Lutheran in Hoople and Hvideso.
Submitted by Orb in Erickson.
Information - Walsh Heritage A Story Of Walsh County And Its Pioneers Volume One Page 582-583)