St. John's Lutheran Church
46°46'30.1"N 96°56'45.7"W
46.775040, -96.946040
Horace, Cass County North Dakota
46°46'30.1"N 96°56'45.7"W
46.775040, -96.946040
Horace, Cass County North Dakota
In 1967 the remaining members of St. John's Lutheran Church voted to merge with the Horace Lutheran Church. It was decided to give St. John's Church to the Cass County Historical Society. It now has become the focal point of the Pioneer Village known as "Bonanzaville, U.S.A.", West Fargo, and will live forever always reminding people of this generation, and of future generations, of a heritage left them, that was founded
for them, by a generation whose faith and trust in God was unshakable.
for them, by a generation whose faith and trust in God was unshakable.
St. John's Lutheran Church was located one mile north and one and three-quarters mile west of the town of Horace, and although located out of town, it played a very important role in the spiritual and social life of the people from Horace and surrounding area. St. John's originally was a part of the Sheyenne Congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and was served by visiting pastors during the years
prior to the organization which began in 1872 with the help of Pastor Vatelesen on May 10 of that year. In 1873 Pastor Hellestvedt was called and he remained until 1878 when ill health forced his retirement. During these years the main headquarters and Pastorate was located in a small village, known as Norman, because of it being most centrally located.
By 1879, when Pastor I. Bale was called to serve, services were held in three different places. One of these was a schoolhouse on the north edge of Horace. This congregation became North Sheyenne and later St. John's Congregation.
The first annual meeting of Northern Sheyenne, of which there is a secretary's report stating it was held May 14, 1886. The first services held in Northern Sheyenne was on Nov. 24, 1875.
It was at the meeting held May 14, 1886, that the members of the congregation voted to request acceptance by the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod, which was duly approved.
Records show these men as the first officers of the congregation: Johannes Holmen, Christian Brink (Olson), P. H. Dustrud, H. M. Peterson, Andor Storstad, Lars Sonderall, Lars Olson, N. D. Kjos, Ole Holmen, John Brakken, Christian Paulson, Martin Hagen and Jacob Storstad.
It should be noted that a building committee was set up on Nov. 24, 1897, and that it was decided that a structure 34' by 58' be built at a cost of $3,426.00. The land having been donated by P. H. Dustrud and Andor Storstad, one for a cemetery and the other for the church. Each parcel of land to be one acre. It should also be noted that in 1896, $1,925.00 had been subscribed for the building, and that by 1899 the entire debt had been
paid which included a 60' by 24' barn erected on the west edge of the cemetery lot, and that a cash balance of $21.00 remained in the treasury.
The Women of the Church organized in 1890, and pledged to help furnish the church, as well as support its work. By 1900 they had earned $1,508.00 from which they purchased pews, paint for the altar, church bell and carpeting and trimming. In 1904 they purchased a 12-kerosene lamp chandelier.
In 1896 Pastor Bale resigned and Pastor I. G. Monson was called and continued to serve the congregation until 1912. Pastor Magne Endreson served from 1913 until 1936; Pastor C. N. Sandager served from 1937 until 1941; Pastor C. B. Ingrebrigtson served as interim pastor 1941 until 1942; Pastor U. A. Turmo served from 1942 until August,
1954; Pastor Harold Dordal served as interim pastor, 1954-1956; Pastor Elwyn Nissen served as pastor, 1956 until 1963; and Pastor Robert Olson served as pastor, 1963 until 1967.
In 1967 the remaining members of St. John's Lutheran Church voted to merge with the Horace Lutheran Church. It was decided to give St. John's Church to the Cass County Historical Society. It now has become the focal point of the Pioneer Village known as "Bonanzaville, U.S.A.", West Fargo, and will live forever always reminding people of this generation, and of future generations, of a heritage left them, that was founded
for them, by a generation whose faith and trust in God was unshakable.
Info from – “They Planted Their Roots Deep” Horace Centennial _June 29 - 30 & July 1, 1973
prior to the organization which began in 1872 with the help of Pastor Vatelesen on May 10 of that year. In 1873 Pastor Hellestvedt was called and he remained until 1878 when ill health forced his retirement. During these years the main headquarters and Pastorate was located in a small village, known as Norman, because of it being most centrally located.
By 1879, when Pastor I. Bale was called to serve, services were held in three different places. One of these was a schoolhouse on the north edge of Horace. This congregation became North Sheyenne and later St. John's Congregation.
The first annual meeting of Northern Sheyenne, of which there is a secretary's report stating it was held May 14, 1886. The first services held in Northern Sheyenne was on Nov. 24, 1875.
It was at the meeting held May 14, 1886, that the members of the congregation voted to request acceptance by the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod, which was duly approved.
Records show these men as the first officers of the congregation: Johannes Holmen, Christian Brink (Olson), P. H. Dustrud, H. M. Peterson, Andor Storstad, Lars Sonderall, Lars Olson, N. D. Kjos, Ole Holmen, John Brakken, Christian Paulson, Martin Hagen and Jacob Storstad.
It should be noted that a building committee was set up on Nov. 24, 1897, and that it was decided that a structure 34' by 58' be built at a cost of $3,426.00. The land having been donated by P. H. Dustrud and Andor Storstad, one for a cemetery and the other for the church. Each parcel of land to be one acre. It should also be noted that in 1896, $1,925.00 had been subscribed for the building, and that by 1899 the entire debt had been
paid which included a 60' by 24' barn erected on the west edge of the cemetery lot, and that a cash balance of $21.00 remained in the treasury.
The Women of the Church organized in 1890, and pledged to help furnish the church, as well as support its work. By 1900 they had earned $1,508.00 from which they purchased pews, paint for the altar, church bell and carpeting and trimming. In 1904 they purchased a 12-kerosene lamp chandelier.
In 1896 Pastor Bale resigned and Pastor I. G. Monson was called and continued to serve the congregation until 1912. Pastor Magne Endreson served from 1913 until 1936; Pastor C. N. Sandager served from 1937 until 1941; Pastor C. B. Ingrebrigtson served as interim pastor 1941 until 1942; Pastor U. A. Turmo served from 1942 until August,
1954; Pastor Harold Dordal served as interim pastor, 1954-1956; Pastor Elwyn Nissen served as pastor, 1956 until 1963; and Pastor Robert Olson served as pastor, 1963 until 1967.
In 1967 the remaining members of St. John's Lutheran Church voted to merge with the Horace Lutheran Church. It was decided to give St. John's Church to the Cass County Historical Society. It now has become the focal point of the Pioneer Village known as "Bonanzaville, U.S.A.", West Fargo, and will live forever always reminding people of this generation, and of future generations, of a heritage left them, that was founded
for them, by a generation whose faith and trust in God was unshakable.
Info from – “They Planted Their Roots Deep” Horace Centennial _June 29 - 30 & July 1, 1973