Scandia Lutheran Church
County Highway 1 and County 14 Polk County
44029 270th Ave. SW
Beltrami, Polk County, Minnesota 56517
County Highway 1 and County 14 Polk County
44029 270th Ave. SW
Beltrami, Polk County, Minnesota 56517
Information - back of Scandia Lutheran Church Rural Beltrami, Minnesota 1893-1993 plate Limited Edition 1 of 200
This plate is dedicated to the pioneer men and women who scarified so much to found and build this church on the only sure foundation. Their untiring energy and perseverance, by the Grace of God, carried on from a humble beginning; that the future generations might have the "Word of God" before them in all its truth and purity.
The Scandia Lutheran Church was organized on November 20, 1893, as Helland Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church and located in Scandia township, Polk County. The first officers were Johan Stromstad, Nils Veen, Gust Christianson, Gitle Stromstad, and Tom Sandem. The Reverend Brynildson was the first pastor.
The congregation met until 1915 in the schoolhouse. On February 9, 1915, at the annual meeting at the home of the Christianson Brothers, members decided to build a church structure. Location selected was the northeast corner of section 27 on land owned by Tom Sandem, Alfred Christianson, G. G. Eia, Theodore Stromstad, and the Reverend O. J. Lutnes were elected to serve as the building committee.
The cost of the new church was approximately $1,400. Most of the labor was donated by members of the congregation and friends. Many sacrificed their limited means and valuable time in order that the church could be built.
One of the most disastrous material catastrophes to strike Scandia congregation occurred on Sunday afternoon at approximately 4:30 p.m. August I, 1937, when lightning struck the church spire, and the church was consumed by flames in less than an hour! An eyewitness to the crash promptly spread the alarm throughout the neighborhood. To extinguish the flames was hopeless: consequently, efforts were concentrated on saving the fixtures, which was done both swiftly and efficiently. The altar, the altar rail the pulpit, the pews, the organ, and everything detachable, including a calendar, were removed. The insurance company policy was paid in full in the amount of $2200. The new and present building was constructed at a cost of approximately $3900. The cost was reduced considerably by volunteer labor by members of the congregation and kind neighbors and friends. The weather made it possible for all to help, because it commenced raining as soon as the building was started and it kept on raining just enough practically every day so that the farmers could not get into their fields, but they could build a church!
The name was changed from Helland to Scandia in 1921 and after several changes and mergers throughout the years, Scandia Lutheran Church is now a member of the Beltrami parish and of the American Lutheran Church. The pastor is the Reverend Raymond A. Holter.
Other pastors who have served the congregation include the Reverend B. L. Sundal, the Reverend O. H. Brodland, who served approximately 25 years; the Reverend Jacob N. Dordal, the Reverend N. J. Otterstad, the Reverend Ole Belsaas, the Reverend Karl Stromme, the Reverend Hans N. Finstad, the Reverend Orlando Lee, the Reverend L. S. Gjerde, the Reverend B. L. Duckstad, the Reverend Lloyd Berger, Jr., and the Reverend Glenn C. Hetland.
One member of the congregation was ordained at the church on June 3, 1962. He is the Reverend Arlen Dewar Hermodson.
Info - Bicentennial history of Polk County, Minnesota: pioneers of the valley 1976
The congregation met until 1915 in the schoolhouse. On February 9, 1915, at the annual meeting at the home of the Christianson Brothers, members decided to build a church structure. Location selected was the northeast corner of section 27 on land owned by Tom Sandem, Alfred Christianson, G. G. Eia, Theodore Stromstad, and the Reverend O. J. Lutnes were elected to serve as the building committee.
The cost of the new church was approximately $1,400. Most of the labor was donated by members of the congregation and friends. Many sacrificed their limited means and valuable time in order that the church could be built.
One of the most disastrous material catastrophes to strike Scandia congregation occurred on Sunday afternoon at approximately 4:30 p.m. August I, 1937, when lightning struck the church spire, and the church was consumed by flames in less than an hour! An eyewitness to the crash promptly spread the alarm throughout the neighborhood. To extinguish the flames was hopeless: consequently, efforts were concentrated on saving the fixtures, which was done both swiftly and efficiently. The altar, the altar rail the pulpit, the pews, the organ, and everything detachable, including a calendar, were removed. The insurance company policy was paid in full in the amount of $2200. The new and present building was constructed at a cost of approximately $3900. The cost was reduced considerably by volunteer labor by members of the congregation and kind neighbors and friends. The weather made it possible for all to help, because it commenced raining as soon as the building was started and it kept on raining just enough practically every day so that the farmers could not get into their fields, but they could build a church!
The name was changed from Helland to Scandia in 1921 and after several changes and mergers throughout the years, Scandia Lutheran Church is now a member of the Beltrami parish and of the American Lutheran Church. The pastor is the Reverend Raymond A. Holter.
Other pastors who have served the congregation include the Reverend B. L. Sundal, the Reverend O. H. Brodland, who served approximately 25 years; the Reverend Jacob N. Dordal, the Reverend N. J. Otterstad, the Reverend Ole Belsaas, the Reverend Karl Stromme, the Reverend Hans N. Finstad, the Reverend Orlando Lee, the Reverend L. S. Gjerde, the Reverend B. L. Duckstad, the Reverend Lloyd Berger, Jr., and the Reverend Glenn C. Hetland.
One member of the congregation was ordained at the church on June 3, 1962. He is the Reverend Arlen Dewar Hermodson.
Info - Bicentennial history of Polk County, Minnesota: pioneers of the valley 1976