Sheyenne Valley Lutheran Church
47°29'09.6"N 97°57'52.7"W
Finley, Greenview Township, Steele County, North Dakota
47°29'09.6"N 97°57'52.7"W
Finley, Greenview Township, Steele County, North Dakota
In the early 1800's, after several families had settled in Greenview Township, it was the desire of these early pioneers to get together for worship and to hear the word of God.
In 1880 and 1881 Pastor Bjug A. Harstad from Goose River visited the settlement and conducted several services. On November 9, 1880, Katrinne Opheim, born October 7, was baptized by Pastor I. L. Lundeby at services held in Johannes Qualey's log cabin. Pastor Lundeby was a home missionary stationed in Valley City in the 1880's.
The earliest services were held in the log houses. Later schoolhouses were used until the Church was built in 1898. People came to attend services from as far away as north and east of what is now Finley, some traveling by ox team. During these years the Church was part of several parishes.
Beginning in 1884 services were held in the Mardell schoolhouse. A room for the pastor was built on to John Dahl's log cabin, located west of the river. The first wedding in the congregation was in 1886 when Emil Carlson and Johanna Henrickson were married in Andrew Carlson's log house.
At a meeting held April 1, 1895, it was decided a church should be built and that each member give ten bushels of wheat to start the building fund. A location was selected, members of the congregation hauled stones and made cement for the foundation and the Church was completed in August 1898.
Tena Christopherson was the first baby baptized in the new Church, September 11, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. John Rosendahl were the first couple to be married there.
Pastor V. E. Boe came in 1909 at which time Sheyenne Valley joined with Ostervold and Finley to form a parish. On June 19, 1961, the community was saddened when the Church burned to the ground. With its spire pointing heavenward, it had stood as a house of worship for over sixty years. It was in the process of being renovated and repaired in preparation for the 80th anniversary to be observed in September.
At a congregational meeting November 1, 1961, it was voted to build a new Church. Construction was started April 23, 1962, and the first service (a communion service) was held in the new Church November 25, 1962, where the work begun by the early pioneers continues in Sheyenne Valley.
Information from: Finley 75th Diamond Jubilee 1897 -1972
In 1880 and 1881 Pastor Bjug A. Harstad from Goose River visited the settlement and conducted several services. On November 9, 1880, Katrinne Opheim, born October 7, was baptized by Pastor I. L. Lundeby at services held in Johannes Qualey's log cabin. Pastor Lundeby was a home missionary stationed in Valley City in the 1880's.
The earliest services were held in the log houses. Later schoolhouses were used until the Church was built in 1898. People came to attend services from as far away as north and east of what is now Finley, some traveling by ox team. During these years the Church was part of several parishes.
Beginning in 1884 services were held in the Mardell schoolhouse. A room for the pastor was built on to John Dahl's log cabin, located west of the river. The first wedding in the congregation was in 1886 when Emil Carlson and Johanna Henrickson were married in Andrew Carlson's log house.
At a meeting held April 1, 1895, it was decided a church should be built and that each member give ten bushels of wheat to start the building fund. A location was selected, members of the congregation hauled stones and made cement for the foundation and the Church was completed in August 1898.
Tena Christopherson was the first baby baptized in the new Church, September 11, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. John Rosendahl were the first couple to be married there.
Pastor V. E. Boe came in 1909 at which time Sheyenne Valley joined with Ostervold and Finley to form a parish. On June 19, 1961, the community was saddened when the Church burned to the ground. With its spire pointing heavenward, it had stood as a house of worship for over sixty years. It was in the process of being renovated and repaired in preparation for the 80th anniversary to be observed in September.
At a congregational meeting November 1, 1961, it was voted to build a new Church. Construction was started April 23, 1962, and the first service (a communion service) was held in the new Church November 25, 1962, where the work begun by the early pioneers continues in Sheyenne Valley.
Information from: Finley 75th Diamond Jubilee 1897 -1972
The Sheyenne Valley Congregation celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1981. It is located in the western part of Steele County, but this portion of Steele County was included in Griggs County in the early 1880's. At the time Cooperstown was designated as the county seat of Griggs County, the boundary lines were changed and the land on which the Sheyenne Valley Church is located is now part of Steele County. Several of the members are from the Sheyenne River Valley area and are residents of Griggs County.
In the years 1879-1880, early settlers came to the Sheyenne River Valley. Omund Nelson Opheim was the first permanent settler. "Pioneer Nelson" Opheim and his family were the only people living in the area during the winter of 1879-1880. In the year 1880, John Quale, Iver Seim and John Johnson Hanson arrived with John Arneson and Evan Monson Joining the community a year or so later. In 1880 and 1881 Pastor Bjug A. Harstad from Goose River visited the settlement and conducted several services, which were held in the log houses.
The 1881-82 treasurer's book lists the following names as contributing towards the pastor's salary, some of them charter members: Iver Seim, John Hanson, John Arneson, Evan Monson, John Qualey, Mikkel Aga, Johan Mustad, Mattias Hilstad, Gustav Olson, Omund Opheim, Ole Halvorson, Syver Halvorson, Andreas Larson, Sven Knutson Norgard, Peter Hanson, Johannes Dronen, Peter J. Hanson
At a congregational meeting held February 2, 1885, a constitution, compiled by Pastor O.C. Gronvold, Omund Opheim and Ole Halvorson, was read, considered and unanimously adopted. Worship services were conducted in the homes and later in the Mardell schoolhouse located in the townsite of Mardell.
The new church building was completed in the fall of 1898, located on the "SE corner of the Opheim Tree Claim".
June 19, 1961, tragedy struck the congregation. The church and all its furnishings were completely destroyed by fire. It was being renovated and repaired in preparation for the congregation's eightieth anniversary to be observed in September. Worship services were conducted in the Oak Grove schoolhouse located approximately two miles southwest of the church site. At a congregation meeting held there November 1, 1961, it was voted to build a new church. Construction was started April 23, 1962, and the first service was held in the new church November 25, 1962.
Pastors who have served the congregation are as follows:
Bjug A. Harstad 1880-1881
Carl John Gronlid 1882
Rolf Fjelstad 1883
O.C. Gronvold 1883-1887
T.H. Larson 1887-1892
Henry H. Eliassen 1892-1900
E.T. Silness 1900-1906
Henrick Voldahl 1906-1909
E.C. Tollefson 1909-1916
V.E. Boe 1909 and 1917-40
E.T. Fyrand 1941-1948
O.A. Jordahl 1948-1966
Ernest Stadum 1966 to the present.
The church has a membership of approximately 100 confirmed members.
Source: Cooperstown, North Dakota 1882-1982 Centennial Page 161
In the years 1879-1880, early settlers came to the Sheyenne River Valley. Omund Nelson Opheim was the first permanent settler. "Pioneer Nelson" Opheim and his family were the only people living in the area during the winter of 1879-1880. In the year 1880, John Quale, Iver Seim and John Johnson Hanson arrived with John Arneson and Evan Monson Joining the community a year or so later. In 1880 and 1881 Pastor Bjug A. Harstad from Goose River visited the settlement and conducted several services, which were held in the log houses.
The 1881-82 treasurer's book lists the following names as contributing towards the pastor's salary, some of them charter members: Iver Seim, John Hanson, John Arneson, Evan Monson, John Qualey, Mikkel Aga, Johan Mustad, Mattias Hilstad, Gustav Olson, Omund Opheim, Ole Halvorson, Syver Halvorson, Andreas Larson, Sven Knutson Norgard, Peter Hanson, Johannes Dronen, Peter J. Hanson
At a congregational meeting held February 2, 1885, a constitution, compiled by Pastor O.C. Gronvold, Omund Opheim and Ole Halvorson, was read, considered and unanimously adopted. Worship services were conducted in the homes and later in the Mardell schoolhouse located in the townsite of Mardell.
The new church building was completed in the fall of 1898, located on the "SE corner of the Opheim Tree Claim".
June 19, 1961, tragedy struck the congregation. The church and all its furnishings were completely destroyed by fire. It was being renovated and repaired in preparation for the congregation's eightieth anniversary to be observed in September. Worship services were conducted in the Oak Grove schoolhouse located approximately two miles southwest of the church site. At a congregation meeting held there November 1, 1961, it was voted to build a new church. Construction was started April 23, 1962, and the first service was held in the new church November 25, 1962.
Pastors who have served the congregation are as follows:
Bjug A. Harstad 1880-1881
Carl John Gronlid 1882
Rolf Fjelstad 1883
O.C. Gronvold 1883-1887
T.H. Larson 1887-1892
Henry H. Eliassen 1892-1900
E.T. Silness 1900-1906
Henrick Voldahl 1906-1909
E.C. Tollefson 1909-1916
V.E. Boe 1909 and 1917-40
E.T. Fyrand 1941-1948
O.A. Jordahl 1948-1966
Ernest Stadum 1966 to the present.
The church has a membership of approximately 100 confirmed members.
Source: Cooperstown, North Dakota 1882-1982 Centennial Page 161
Sheyenne Valley CemeteryAlso known as Cheyenne Valley Lutheran Cemetery, Sheyenne Valley Lutheran Cemetery
Finley, Steele County, North Dakota, USA
Finley, Steele County, North Dakota, USA