South Trinity Church
67th St. NE & 144th Ave. NE
Grafton, Walsh County North Dakota 58237
67th St. NE & 144th Ave. NE
Grafton, Walsh County North Dakota 58237
The congregation was established Oct. 13, 1879, and with the assistance of Pastor M. J. Waage of Goose River, the Trinity Lutheran Church was organized. Present were John Almen, Ole 0. Haugerud, Iver Iverson Ljone, Johannes Coller, Haakon Johnson, Carl Almen, Mons Monson, Henry Hanson, and Andrew L. Ask.
On Oct. 28, 1879, a congregational meeting was held at the home of Ole O. Haugerud with Pastor Waage presiding. The constitution was adopted and the following, together with the aforementioned, became charter members: John Paulson, Anders Monson Hoghaug, and Jorgen Johnson. The first officers were elected: Secretary, Ole O. Haugerud: Treasurer, Andreas L. Ask, Precentor; Ole O. Haugerud; Trustees, Iver Iverson Ljone, John Almen, and Ole 0. Haugerud; Deacons, Johannes Coller, Anders Bergum and Lars Almen, Johannes Coller, Iver Iverson Ljone and Anders Monson Hoghaug.
The necessity of Sunday School was stressed, and John Almen was elected Superintendent, assisted by Ole O. Haugerud and Iver Iverson Ljone.
No regular services were held during the winter months, but occasionally a visiting pastor would hold services. Besides Pastor Waage were Pastor John Olson of St. Ansgar, Iowa, and Anders Olson Megrund of Halstad, Minn.
In 1881, Rev. Jens I. Lonne became the first resident pastor. His salary was to be $200 per year. He conducted the first parochial school which opened on Dec. 12, 1881, at the home of Ole O. Haugerud. At a meeting at the home of Nels Monsebraaten, March 31, 1883, the name "Trinity Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Walsh County, Dakota Territory" was adopted.
Pastor Peter A. Nykreim served next. His salary, $250, plus two offerings.
On May 30, 1885, after several congregational meetings had been held, it was decided that the congregation be divided, and that the river be the dividing line so that those north of the river adopt the name North Trinity and those south of the river the name South Trinity. A site for the church and cemetery was selected and after much consideration they decided on the southeast corner of Section 25 in Fertile Township, owned by Iver Stransatern. The following became members of South Trinity: Anders Monson Hoghaug, Iver Iverson Ljone, Gunder N. Midgarden, Mons Monson, Andreas L. Ask, Lars Torblaa, Charley Anderson, Tollef Johnson, I. Birk, John Moe, Andrew Boe, John Knutson, Erik Berger, Kristian Fjeld, Nels Monsebraaten, Ole Monsebraaten, Ole Gangsei, Hans Hanson, Hans Paulson, Amund Johanson, and shortly thereafter, Gulbrand Lee, Jorgen Sonderland, Halvor Harris and Arne L. Torblaa.
The first officers of South Trinity were: Secretary, I. Birk; Treasurer, Gunder N. Midgarden; Trustees, Mons Monson, Tollef Johnson and Kristian Fjeld; Deacons, Andreas L. Ask, Ole Gangsei and Lars Torblaa.
Up to this time services were held in homes and schoolhouses; this did not prove satisfactory. On Jan. 12,
1886, at a meeting at the home of Lars Torblaa, it was decided to build a church. The sum of $960 had been pledged toward the erection of the new church. The members to do the work, with the assistance of a carpenter to supervise. The auditorium was to be 36x30x14 and the chancel, 14x20x12. The building committee was composed of the following: I. Birk, Gunder N. Midgarden, Lars Torblaa, Anders Monson Hoghaug and ToUef Johnson.
On Nov. 7, 1886, the annual meeting was held in the new building. The church was complete with the exception of the steeple which was built in 1895 and the church was dedicated in 1896.
In 1880, South Trinity and Concordia congregations consolidated. Pastor K. A. Fjellbu of Decorah, Ia., came to this parish in 1891, and besides South Trinity, he also served Concordia, Zion and Park Center.
In 1891, a subscription list was circulated to raise money for a parsonage to be built on land adjoining Zion Church, to be financed by Zion, Park Center and South Trinity.
In 1893, Pastor Fjellbu was granted a five months vacation to study at Minneapolis. During his absence
Pastor P. T. Stensaas substituted. In 1898, he was given another vacation, at which time he went to Norway and during his absence Pastor J. N. Helseth served the congregation.
In 1900, Pastor Fjellbu resigned and Pastor K. O. Storli of Portland, Me., accepted the call and stayed here six years. During his pastorate, the Sunday School was organized, Young Peoples Society, and a choir was organized. A sacristy was added to the church.
Pastor O. L. Kirkeberg took over the pastorate in 1906 and remained until 1913.
Pastor H. O. Shurson served the congregation from 1913-1915. The parsonage was modernized during this time. Pastor A. Egge served the congregation from 1915-1926. During this time Concordia congregation was dissolved and its members joined South Trinity and Zion. Pastor Egge suggested that the parish be divided as it was too large, so in 1926, South Trinity, North Trinity and Zion became one parish; Park Center, Hoople and Hvideso, the other.
Pastor C. O. Grimsrud served the congregation from 1926-1929. In 1928 the church basement was completed. As 1929 was the fiftieth anniversary of the congregation, plans were made for the occasion. The three congregations in this parish worked together, committees were selected, and arrangements made. Representing South Trinity were Albert Midgarden and Henry Lee. The festivities were carried out on July 12-13-14, 1929. The following pastors appeared on the program: District President David Stoeve, H. O. Shurson, J. J. Jacobson, H. A. Helsem, A. Egge, S. J. Strandjord, J. O. Dahle, Arne Herleikson,. Olof Olson, G. N. Isolany, J . T. Langemo, J. Eastvold, C. M. Grimsrud. Others appearing on the program were: Sen. Lynn J. Frazier, Ruth Storli-Reep, Mrs. Oscar Almen, Mrs. Frank Mastre, Mrs. Henry Lee, Miss Ida Midgarden, Miss Marie Grimsrud, John Olson and A. N. Midgarden.
The following were church officers in 1929; Secretary, I. Birk; Treasurer, Albert Midgarden; Trustees, Henry Lee, Martin Larson and Albert Viger; Deacons, Henry Sander, E. E. Hanson and Albert Hove.
Organist, Mrs. Henry Lee; Custodian, R. G. Strand; and Cemetery Committee, Albert Midgarden, Anton
Strand and Med vin Brende.
In November 1929, Rev. L. O. Helleklev arrived and took up the work of the congregation. He served South Trinity congregation faithfully and conscientiously for 24 years. In 1953, due to ill health, he resigned and retired. The original church still stands. The same auditorium, chancel and belfry that the pioneers built themselves back in 1896. Yes, now it's 1975 and the church has seen several additions, much remodeling, new furnishings, several coats of paint, but basically, it's still the same. Perhaps that's why so many of the members of the congregation look at their little old church on the south prairie with adoration, devotion, and fond memories. Submitted by Mrs. Earl Anderson.
Information - A Story Of Walsh County And Its Pioneers Vol. One (pages 402 & 403)
On Oct. 28, 1879, a congregational meeting was held at the home of Ole O. Haugerud with Pastor Waage presiding. The constitution was adopted and the following, together with the aforementioned, became charter members: John Paulson, Anders Monson Hoghaug, and Jorgen Johnson. The first officers were elected: Secretary, Ole O. Haugerud: Treasurer, Andreas L. Ask, Precentor; Ole O. Haugerud; Trustees, Iver Iverson Ljone, John Almen, and Ole 0. Haugerud; Deacons, Johannes Coller, Anders Bergum and Lars Almen, Johannes Coller, Iver Iverson Ljone and Anders Monson Hoghaug.
The necessity of Sunday School was stressed, and John Almen was elected Superintendent, assisted by Ole O. Haugerud and Iver Iverson Ljone.
No regular services were held during the winter months, but occasionally a visiting pastor would hold services. Besides Pastor Waage were Pastor John Olson of St. Ansgar, Iowa, and Anders Olson Megrund of Halstad, Minn.
In 1881, Rev. Jens I. Lonne became the first resident pastor. His salary was to be $200 per year. He conducted the first parochial school which opened on Dec. 12, 1881, at the home of Ole O. Haugerud. At a meeting at the home of Nels Monsebraaten, March 31, 1883, the name "Trinity Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Walsh County, Dakota Territory" was adopted.
Pastor Peter A. Nykreim served next. His salary, $250, plus two offerings.
On May 30, 1885, after several congregational meetings had been held, it was decided that the congregation be divided, and that the river be the dividing line so that those north of the river adopt the name North Trinity and those south of the river the name South Trinity. A site for the church and cemetery was selected and after much consideration they decided on the southeast corner of Section 25 in Fertile Township, owned by Iver Stransatern. The following became members of South Trinity: Anders Monson Hoghaug, Iver Iverson Ljone, Gunder N. Midgarden, Mons Monson, Andreas L. Ask, Lars Torblaa, Charley Anderson, Tollef Johnson, I. Birk, John Moe, Andrew Boe, John Knutson, Erik Berger, Kristian Fjeld, Nels Monsebraaten, Ole Monsebraaten, Ole Gangsei, Hans Hanson, Hans Paulson, Amund Johanson, and shortly thereafter, Gulbrand Lee, Jorgen Sonderland, Halvor Harris and Arne L. Torblaa.
The first officers of South Trinity were: Secretary, I. Birk; Treasurer, Gunder N. Midgarden; Trustees, Mons Monson, Tollef Johnson and Kristian Fjeld; Deacons, Andreas L. Ask, Ole Gangsei and Lars Torblaa.
Up to this time services were held in homes and schoolhouses; this did not prove satisfactory. On Jan. 12,
1886, at a meeting at the home of Lars Torblaa, it was decided to build a church. The sum of $960 had been pledged toward the erection of the new church. The members to do the work, with the assistance of a carpenter to supervise. The auditorium was to be 36x30x14 and the chancel, 14x20x12. The building committee was composed of the following: I. Birk, Gunder N. Midgarden, Lars Torblaa, Anders Monson Hoghaug and ToUef Johnson.
On Nov. 7, 1886, the annual meeting was held in the new building. The church was complete with the exception of the steeple which was built in 1895 and the church was dedicated in 1896.
In 1880, South Trinity and Concordia congregations consolidated. Pastor K. A. Fjellbu of Decorah, Ia., came to this parish in 1891, and besides South Trinity, he also served Concordia, Zion and Park Center.
In 1891, a subscription list was circulated to raise money for a parsonage to be built on land adjoining Zion Church, to be financed by Zion, Park Center and South Trinity.
In 1893, Pastor Fjellbu was granted a five months vacation to study at Minneapolis. During his absence
Pastor P. T. Stensaas substituted. In 1898, he was given another vacation, at which time he went to Norway and during his absence Pastor J. N. Helseth served the congregation.
In 1900, Pastor Fjellbu resigned and Pastor K. O. Storli of Portland, Me., accepted the call and stayed here six years. During his pastorate, the Sunday School was organized, Young Peoples Society, and a choir was organized. A sacristy was added to the church.
Pastor O. L. Kirkeberg took over the pastorate in 1906 and remained until 1913.
Pastor H. O. Shurson served the congregation from 1913-1915. The parsonage was modernized during this time. Pastor A. Egge served the congregation from 1915-1926. During this time Concordia congregation was dissolved and its members joined South Trinity and Zion. Pastor Egge suggested that the parish be divided as it was too large, so in 1926, South Trinity, North Trinity and Zion became one parish; Park Center, Hoople and Hvideso, the other.
Pastor C. O. Grimsrud served the congregation from 1926-1929. In 1928 the church basement was completed. As 1929 was the fiftieth anniversary of the congregation, plans were made for the occasion. The three congregations in this parish worked together, committees were selected, and arrangements made. Representing South Trinity were Albert Midgarden and Henry Lee. The festivities were carried out on July 12-13-14, 1929. The following pastors appeared on the program: District President David Stoeve, H. O. Shurson, J. J. Jacobson, H. A. Helsem, A. Egge, S. J. Strandjord, J. O. Dahle, Arne Herleikson,. Olof Olson, G. N. Isolany, J . T. Langemo, J. Eastvold, C. M. Grimsrud. Others appearing on the program were: Sen. Lynn J. Frazier, Ruth Storli-Reep, Mrs. Oscar Almen, Mrs. Frank Mastre, Mrs. Henry Lee, Miss Ida Midgarden, Miss Marie Grimsrud, John Olson and A. N. Midgarden.
The following were church officers in 1929; Secretary, I. Birk; Treasurer, Albert Midgarden; Trustees, Henry Lee, Martin Larson and Albert Viger; Deacons, Henry Sander, E. E. Hanson and Albert Hove.
Organist, Mrs. Henry Lee; Custodian, R. G. Strand; and Cemetery Committee, Albert Midgarden, Anton
Strand and Med vin Brende.
In November 1929, Rev. L. O. Helleklev arrived and took up the work of the congregation. He served South Trinity congregation faithfully and conscientiously for 24 years. In 1953, due to ill health, he resigned and retired. The original church still stands. The same auditorium, chancel and belfry that the pioneers built themselves back in 1896. Yes, now it's 1975 and the church has seen several additions, much remodeling, new furnishings, several coats of paint, but basically, it's still the same. Perhaps that's why so many of the members of the congregation look at their little old church on the south prairie with adoration, devotion, and fond memories. Submitted by Mrs. Earl Anderson.
Information - A Story Of Walsh County And Its Pioneers Vol. One (pages 402 & 403)