Perry Evangelical Lutheran Church
Co Hwy 10, Steele County, Portland, North Dakota 58274
Co Hwy 10, Steele County, Portland, North Dakota 58274
7 miles west of Portland North Dakota on Highway 200 and 6 1/2 miles south on County Highway 10
Bang Congregation was organized April 16, 1881, but it soon became evident that this Community was too large and widespread a territory, so it was decided to make two congregations.
In early days there were no churches, so the services were held in the early pioneer homes and schoolhouses. At one of these services held at the John Hallingstad home on December 30, 1884, Perry Lutheran Congregation was organized. Several of the early pioneers settling in this community had immigrated from Perry Congregation, Primrose Township, Dane County, near Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. So, they named both the congregation and the township for these. K. S. Sulland was the first secretary and John Hallingstad was the first song leader, "Klokker", and served for several years in this capacity until the time of his death in April 1922.
At a meeting held January 6, 1885, the following were elected trustees of the congregation: Halvor Rindy, Tborbjorn Evenson, and John Hallingstad. These were also elected to draw up a constitution for the congregation. The church and grave lots were bought from Sever K. Pladson and Thorbjom Evenson and deeds to this plot show they each received $6.00 for same. The Church was built in 1896. Some remodeling was done in 1924 and the basement was built, and the cornerstone was laid by Pastor I. D. Ylvisaker at the 40th Anniversary in November 1924.
Charter members of this congregation are Peder Evenson, John Hallingstad, Gilbert Knudson, Ole Haneval, C. O. Kvernen, Ole C. Lee, John T. Eide, Halvor J. Rindy, Thorbjorn Evenson, K. S. Sulland, Sever K. Pladson, Ludvik Larson, Knudt S. Knudson, Syver Haakenson and Olaus Gretum.
The following pastors have served this congregation: Pastor H. B. Haarstad, 1884-1890, assisted by Pastor Johannes Halvorson, 1884-1886 and Pastor Hans Allen, 1886-1893. From 1890 to 1901, Pastor Tingelstad, and from 1893 to 1901, Pastor. D. Ylvisaker served.
In 1902 Bang and Perry congregations withdrew from the call served by Pastor Tingelstad and Pastor Ylvisaker, at that time comprising Bruflat, Mayville, Washington Prairie, Norman, Gran, Perry and Bang congregations. Together they organized the Bang and Perry Call. The parsonage was built that year on Section 5 in Primrose Township. Pastor J. R. Rorvik was the first resident pastor and served from 1902 to 1914. Pastor C. M. Hallanger was then called and served the congregation for 21 years, until his death on August 10, 1935. From this time until 1937 when Pastor E. C. Nordby entered his duties, the Call was served by Pastor Brudvik of Clifford, who ministered to this congregation. Pastor Nordby served the congregation until December 1954, and until the present pastor took over in July 1955, the congregation was served by Student Pastor John Rotto. Pastor Arthur J. Ree began his ministerial duties on July 1, 1955, and was duly installed as pastor of the Call on July 31, 1955.
In 1902 a member of Perry Congregation, Gunnar Odegaarden, was ordained into the Ministry. He received a call to Clifton, Texas, where he served for 10 years until his death.
Pastor C. M. Hallanger's son, Frederick, also studied for the Ministry and was ordained in 1928, and has since served in the Madagascar Mission Field of the ELC.
[Source: Diamond jubilee, Portland, North Dakota, July 1-2, 1882-1957, S.l. : s.n., unknown pub. date. Transcribed by Fred Coleman]
In early days there were no churches, so the services were held in the early pioneer homes and schoolhouses. At one of these services held at the John Hallingstad home on December 30, 1884, Perry Lutheran Congregation was organized. Several of the early pioneers settling in this community had immigrated from Perry Congregation, Primrose Township, Dane County, near Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. So, they named both the congregation and the township for these. K. S. Sulland was the first secretary and John Hallingstad was the first song leader, "Klokker", and served for several years in this capacity until the time of his death in April 1922.
At a meeting held January 6, 1885, the following were elected trustees of the congregation: Halvor Rindy, Tborbjorn Evenson, and John Hallingstad. These were also elected to draw up a constitution for the congregation. The church and grave lots were bought from Sever K. Pladson and Thorbjom Evenson and deeds to this plot show they each received $6.00 for same. The Church was built in 1896. Some remodeling was done in 1924 and the basement was built, and the cornerstone was laid by Pastor I. D. Ylvisaker at the 40th Anniversary in November 1924.
Charter members of this congregation are Peder Evenson, John Hallingstad, Gilbert Knudson, Ole Haneval, C. O. Kvernen, Ole C. Lee, John T. Eide, Halvor J. Rindy, Thorbjorn Evenson, K. S. Sulland, Sever K. Pladson, Ludvik Larson, Knudt S. Knudson, Syver Haakenson and Olaus Gretum.
The following pastors have served this congregation: Pastor H. B. Haarstad, 1884-1890, assisted by Pastor Johannes Halvorson, 1884-1886 and Pastor Hans Allen, 1886-1893. From 1890 to 1901, Pastor Tingelstad, and from 1893 to 1901, Pastor. D. Ylvisaker served.
In 1902 Bang and Perry congregations withdrew from the call served by Pastor Tingelstad and Pastor Ylvisaker, at that time comprising Bruflat, Mayville, Washington Prairie, Norman, Gran, Perry and Bang congregations. Together they organized the Bang and Perry Call. The parsonage was built that year on Section 5 in Primrose Township. Pastor J. R. Rorvik was the first resident pastor and served from 1902 to 1914. Pastor C. M. Hallanger was then called and served the congregation for 21 years, until his death on August 10, 1935. From this time until 1937 when Pastor E. C. Nordby entered his duties, the Call was served by Pastor Brudvik of Clifford, who ministered to this congregation. Pastor Nordby served the congregation until December 1954, and until the present pastor took over in July 1955, the congregation was served by Student Pastor John Rotto. Pastor Arthur J. Ree began his ministerial duties on July 1, 1955, and was duly installed as pastor of the Call on July 31, 1955.
In 1902 a member of Perry Congregation, Gunnar Odegaarden, was ordained into the Ministry. He received a call to Clifton, Texas, where he served for 10 years until his death.
Pastor C. M. Hallanger's son, Frederick, also studied for the Ministry and was ordained in 1928, and has since served in the Madagascar Mission Field of the ELC.
[Source: Diamond jubilee, Portland, North Dakota, July 1-2, 1882-1957, S.l. : s.n., unknown pub. date. Transcribed by Fred Coleman]