Sheyenne Lutheran Church
10651 23rd St NE
Pekin, Nelson County, North Dakota
10651 23rd St NE
Pekin, Nelson County, North Dakota
The Sheyenne Lutheran Church by Gordon Raaen
Shortly after the arrival of Norwegian pioneer families in 1881 to the local Sheyenne River Valley, the need for spiritual fellowship was strongly felt. On Feb. 7,1882, Iver 0. Raaen, Ole Bjorlie, Peder 0. Enstad, Knudt Enstad, Halvor Holden. Ole Moen, Lars 0. Bue, Ole I. Raaen, Torger Brekken, A. P. Bjorlie, Soren Evenstad and Sivert Bjorlie met and committed themselves as members of Sheyenne congregation. Officers were elected, and the first annual meeting occurred on Dec. 5, 1882. During the first full year of existence, a Sunday school was begun, a cemetery was established, and a Ladies Aid was organized.
Pastor Ibrahim L. Lundeby was called to serve as permanent pastor on Dec. 4, 1883. The church services were held in the log cabin homes until Dec. 23,1884, when the Sheyenne congregation assembled in a 16' by 20' log structure, the first Sheyenne Lutheran Church.
A larger meeting place was needed to accommodate the ever-increasing population of the Sheyenne Valley and the prairies above. By late 1886 a new wooden building 36' by 26' had been almost completed with the original log church attached as the chancel. By 1893 the steeple and balconies had been added to the structure. The log church chancel was replaced by a new chancel in 1900. The dedication of the completed church took place on June 29, 1902. Later in 1911, the church had a basement to house its heating apparatus and to act as a fellowship hall.
The "Pige Forening" (Girls' Society) was organized in 1897 and continued for 22 years contributing time and money to many church projects.
"Ungdom's Forening" (Young People's Society) was begun formally in 1908 or 1909 although it was in existence in 1896 as the bell for the then new church was partially inscribed with the words "Insamling ved Ungdom's Forening — 1896" (Subscription by Young People's Society). This same bell now hangs in the present church belfry. The organization became known as the Luther League in 1936, and after many years of activity and contributions to church projects, it was disbanded in 1976.
In the early 1890s group singing was encouraged by early day school teachers and led to the eventual formation of the Sheyenne Choir in 1895. Since that time the choir can be described as vascillating between very active and dormant. Over the years there have been many memorable performances. Most recent was the activity at the centennial of Sheyenne Church in 1982. Under the direction of LeRoy Alfson, the choir presented several songs during the two day celebration. "The King Is Coming" perhaps remains in many memories as a splendid culmination of those many practices preceding the performances.
Pastor Lundeby died on Sept. 22, 1897, and by May of 1898 Pastor Severin S. Wold had been called to serve as Sheyenne's spiritual leader. After Pastor Wold's arrival a parsonage was completed on 160 acres of land adjacent to the church property. Here he farmed and served his three, and sometimes more, congregations.
In 1916 a storm did considerable damage to the church, but it was repaired. The 40th anniversary of the congregation was celebrated during a three day fete in July of 1922.
After 38 years of service Pastor S. S. Wold resigned on July 21,1935. He passed away on April 24,1941. Both he and Pastor Lundeby are interred at the Sheyenne Cemetery adjacent to the present church.
The next pastor to be installed at Sheyenne was, Oscar Rud, and this event occurred in July of 1936. Poor health forced his resignation in December of 1938.
Benjamin Ostrem succeeded Pastor Rud on Aug. 6, 1939. At this time acceptance of Pekin as a parish congregation occurred. Pastor Ostrem's request to move to Pekin was granted, and in 1943 the rural parsonage and land was sold.
By 1942 Pastor Ostrem had resigned and Roy Malde was called and was installed on July 11, 1943. It was in this year also that a parsonage was established in Pekin.
A storm in July of 1943 so badly damaged the Sheyenne Church that a committee was formed to facilitate the building of a new church. In spite of the war years' shortages, the building was at near completion for Easter services in 1946.
Pastor Malde had resigned in November of 1945, and by March 1946, Pastor Thomas K. Spande was serving the congregation. His stay lasted until Easter Sunday 1952.
Clifford Ritland was installed on June 7, 1953. He was instrumental in organization of the Pekin Parish Brotherhood in October of that year. This organization accomplished many good works in contributions to 4-H clubs, Scout work, Bible Camp sponsors, and fathers' and sons' banquets. The Brotherhood discontinued its meetings in 1964.
In 1954, Percy Ensrud, son of John and Ingeborge Ensrud, was ordained into the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He has served in the Alamo Parish, at Bowman and Bisbee in North Dakota, and is at present chaplain of the Lutheran Nursing Home at Madison, Minn.
Pastor Ritland resigned in 1956 and was replaced by Albert O. Tastad, who was serving on the Eskimo mission fields in Alaska. Pastor Tastad was installed on Oct. 21, 1956.
In 1956 the Sheyenne Cemetery Committee was established and has provided improvement and care of the cemetery since.
The 75th anniversary of Sheyenne Lutheran Church was observed on June 8 and 9, 1957. The memorial plaque located on the site of the original log church (chancel of the second church) and the stained glass windows were dedicated at this time. The 85th, 90th and 95th anniversaries were also celebrated with sounds of music and the return of former pastors as well as Pastor Ensrud and former members.
In June of 1980 Aanen Gjovik, son of Leif and Anna Gjovik, was ordained into the ministry. Thus two sons of the congregation are serving the church as pastors. Aanen was pastor at Wing, N.D., and is presently located in Dickinson, N.D.
Accomplishments of the latter years include the distribution of the devotional booklet Christ in Our Home; the reactivation of the choir; installation of carpeting in the chancel, nave, and narthex; addition of restrooms; installation of three oil furnaces; the purchase of a new parsonage together with Pekin and Sigdal; the inception of Christmas candle lighting services; the planting of evergreen trees on the south and west sides of church property; purchase of pew cushions; and installation of off-peak heating equipment and energy saving storm windows.
On Feb. 7, 1982, 100 years to the day of its founding, Sheyenne Lutheran Church celebrated quietly with a service of music and drama presented by a Concordia College Outreach team and a short presentation by Pastor Tastad honoring the significance of the date. A fellowship dinner followed these events.
But of greater import, in June of that year a two day observance was held at the church — days filled with music, scripture, sermons, and much reminiscing. Delicious food, a mini-museum, and most of all, the return of many fine former members helped make these two days memorable and spiritually uplifting.
On June 1,1983, Pastor Tastad resigned after almost 27 years in faithful service. In July Lynn Zaffke was installed as the parish pastor.
The Sheyenne Lutheran Church is doing well, thank you, as we continue to do God's work, respecting our heritage and paying tribute to the labor of all who gone before us.
Information: Nelson County History Volume I
Shortly after the arrival of Norwegian pioneer families in 1881 to the local Sheyenne River Valley, the need for spiritual fellowship was strongly felt. On Feb. 7,1882, Iver 0. Raaen, Ole Bjorlie, Peder 0. Enstad, Knudt Enstad, Halvor Holden. Ole Moen, Lars 0. Bue, Ole I. Raaen, Torger Brekken, A. P. Bjorlie, Soren Evenstad and Sivert Bjorlie met and committed themselves as members of Sheyenne congregation. Officers were elected, and the first annual meeting occurred on Dec. 5, 1882. During the first full year of existence, a Sunday school was begun, a cemetery was established, and a Ladies Aid was organized.
Pastor Ibrahim L. Lundeby was called to serve as permanent pastor on Dec. 4, 1883. The church services were held in the log cabin homes until Dec. 23,1884, when the Sheyenne congregation assembled in a 16' by 20' log structure, the first Sheyenne Lutheran Church.
A larger meeting place was needed to accommodate the ever-increasing population of the Sheyenne Valley and the prairies above. By late 1886 a new wooden building 36' by 26' had been almost completed with the original log church attached as the chancel. By 1893 the steeple and balconies had been added to the structure. The log church chancel was replaced by a new chancel in 1900. The dedication of the completed church took place on June 29, 1902. Later in 1911, the church had a basement to house its heating apparatus and to act as a fellowship hall.
The "Pige Forening" (Girls' Society) was organized in 1897 and continued for 22 years contributing time and money to many church projects.
"Ungdom's Forening" (Young People's Society) was begun formally in 1908 or 1909 although it was in existence in 1896 as the bell for the then new church was partially inscribed with the words "Insamling ved Ungdom's Forening — 1896" (Subscription by Young People's Society). This same bell now hangs in the present church belfry. The organization became known as the Luther League in 1936, and after many years of activity and contributions to church projects, it was disbanded in 1976.
In the early 1890s group singing was encouraged by early day school teachers and led to the eventual formation of the Sheyenne Choir in 1895. Since that time the choir can be described as vascillating between very active and dormant. Over the years there have been many memorable performances. Most recent was the activity at the centennial of Sheyenne Church in 1982. Under the direction of LeRoy Alfson, the choir presented several songs during the two day celebration. "The King Is Coming" perhaps remains in many memories as a splendid culmination of those many practices preceding the performances.
Pastor Lundeby died on Sept. 22, 1897, and by May of 1898 Pastor Severin S. Wold had been called to serve as Sheyenne's spiritual leader. After Pastor Wold's arrival a parsonage was completed on 160 acres of land adjacent to the church property. Here he farmed and served his three, and sometimes more, congregations.
In 1916 a storm did considerable damage to the church, but it was repaired. The 40th anniversary of the congregation was celebrated during a three day fete in July of 1922.
After 38 years of service Pastor S. S. Wold resigned on July 21,1935. He passed away on April 24,1941. Both he and Pastor Lundeby are interred at the Sheyenne Cemetery adjacent to the present church.
The next pastor to be installed at Sheyenne was, Oscar Rud, and this event occurred in July of 1936. Poor health forced his resignation in December of 1938.
Benjamin Ostrem succeeded Pastor Rud on Aug. 6, 1939. At this time acceptance of Pekin as a parish congregation occurred. Pastor Ostrem's request to move to Pekin was granted, and in 1943 the rural parsonage and land was sold.
By 1942 Pastor Ostrem had resigned and Roy Malde was called and was installed on July 11, 1943. It was in this year also that a parsonage was established in Pekin.
A storm in July of 1943 so badly damaged the Sheyenne Church that a committee was formed to facilitate the building of a new church. In spite of the war years' shortages, the building was at near completion for Easter services in 1946.
Pastor Malde had resigned in November of 1945, and by March 1946, Pastor Thomas K. Spande was serving the congregation. His stay lasted until Easter Sunday 1952.
Clifford Ritland was installed on June 7, 1953. He was instrumental in organization of the Pekin Parish Brotherhood in October of that year. This organization accomplished many good works in contributions to 4-H clubs, Scout work, Bible Camp sponsors, and fathers' and sons' banquets. The Brotherhood discontinued its meetings in 1964.
In 1954, Percy Ensrud, son of John and Ingeborge Ensrud, was ordained into the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He has served in the Alamo Parish, at Bowman and Bisbee in North Dakota, and is at present chaplain of the Lutheran Nursing Home at Madison, Minn.
Pastor Ritland resigned in 1956 and was replaced by Albert O. Tastad, who was serving on the Eskimo mission fields in Alaska. Pastor Tastad was installed on Oct. 21, 1956.
In 1956 the Sheyenne Cemetery Committee was established and has provided improvement and care of the cemetery since.
The 75th anniversary of Sheyenne Lutheran Church was observed on June 8 and 9, 1957. The memorial plaque located on the site of the original log church (chancel of the second church) and the stained glass windows were dedicated at this time. The 85th, 90th and 95th anniversaries were also celebrated with sounds of music and the return of former pastors as well as Pastor Ensrud and former members.
In June of 1980 Aanen Gjovik, son of Leif and Anna Gjovik, was ordained into the ministry. Thus two sons of the congregation are serving the church as pastors. Aanen was pastor at Wing, N.D., and is presently located in Dickinson, N.D.
Accomplishments of the latter years include the distribution of the devotional booklet Christ in Our Home; the reactivation of the choir; installation of carpeting in the chancel, nave, and narthex; addition of restrooms; installation of three oil furnaces; the purchase of a new parsonage together with Pekin and Sigdal; the inception of Christmas candle lighting services; the planting of evergreen trees on the south and west sides of church property; purchase of pew cushions; and installation of off-peak heating equipment and energy saving storm windows.
On Feb. 7, 1982, 100 years to the day of its founding, Sheyenne Lutheran Church celebrated quietly with a service of music and drama presented by a Concordia College Outreach team and a short presentation by Pastor Tastad honoring the significance of the date. A fellowship dinner followed these events.
But of greater import, in June of that year a two day observance was held at the church — days filled with music, scripture, sermons, and much reminiscing. Delicious food, a mini-museum, and most of all, the return of many fine former members helped make these two days memorable and spiritually uplifting.
On June 1,1983, Pastor Tastad resigned after almost 27 years in faithful service. In July Lynn Zaffke was installed as the parish pastor.
The Sheyenne Lutheran Church is doing well, thank you, as we continue to do God's work, respecting our heritage and paying tribute to the labor of all who gone before us.
Information: Nelson County History Volume I