St. Matthew's Lutheran Church
701 Broadway Street
Thompson, Grand Forks County, North Dakota, 58278
701 Broadway Street
Thompson, Grand Forks County, North Dakota, 58278
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St. Matthews Missouri Synod Lutheran Church was located one half mile north of Thompson on land that is part of the W. E. Block farm.
A small group of German Lutherans formed a congregation and built the church. For many years all services were conducted in the German language. Consequently, a number of Norwegian Lutheran families attended the Methodist church, and their children were in the Methodist Sunday School. They were very welcome and contributed in every way to the life and activities.
When St. Matthews began to hold services in English, about 1918, many of these families returned to their own church. The Methodists were happy for them but felt their loss keenly.
In 1923, the Lutheran church purchased a lot in town and the building was moved to the site where it is located at present.
As the congregation grew, both a Sunday School and a Ladies Aid were organized. Targie Trydahl was the first superintendent of the Sunday School.
In 1950, the church was remodeled, giving much extra space needed for church activities.
Pastors who have served are Rev. A. F. Parge, Rev. L. Walper, Rev. H. F. Buegel, then a pastor who came each Sunday from Fisher, Minnesota. He was followed by Rev. S. L. Tallahson, Rev. T. E. Dorpat and Rev. L. J. Mehl. Then pastors from the Redeemer Church in Grand Forks cared for the charge. The last one from the Redeemer Church was Rev. Frederick Rewalt, who was pastor until 1979.
Among the very new residents of Thompson there were a number of Lutheran families. The church had left the Missouri Synod in 1978, so many of the new people became members of the congregation.
For the first time since its beginning, the church is able to support a resident pastor. Rev. Milbert Kertz lives in Thompson. He is giving full time to the leadership of the church and to being an actual ''shepherd of the sheep.''
Info from - Memories of Yesterday Thompson Centennial 1881-1981 (pages 54 & 55)
A small group of German Lutherans formed a congregation and built the church. For many years all services were conducted in the German language. Consequently, a number of Norwegian Lutheran families attended the Methodist church, and their children were in the Methodist Sunday School. They were very welcome and contributed in every way to the life and activities.
When St. Matthews began to hold services in English, about 1918, many of these families returned to their own church. The Methodists were happy for them but felt their loss keenly.
In 1923, the Lutheran church purchased a lot in town and the building was moved to the site where it is located at present.
As the congregation grew, both a Sunday School and a Ladies Aid were organized. Targie Trydahl was the first superintendent of the Sunday School.
In 1950, the church was remodeled, giving much extra space needed for church activities.
Pastors who have served are Rev. A. F. Parge, Rev. L. Walper, Rev. H. F. Buegel, then a pastor who came each Sunday from Fisher, Minnesota. He was followed by Rev. S. L. Tallahson, Rev. T. E. Dorpat and Rev. L. J. Mehl. Then pastors from the Redeemer Church in Grand Forks cared for the charge. The last one from the Redeemer Church was Rev. Frederick Rewalt, who was pastor until 1979.
Among the very new residents of Thompson there were a number of Lutheran families. The church had left the Missouri Synod in 1978, so many of the new people became members of the congregation.
For the first time since its beginning, the church is able to support a resident pastor. Rev. Milbert Kertz lives in Thompson. He is giving full time to the leadership of the church and to being an actual ''shepherd of the sheep.''
Info from - Memories of Yesterday Thompson Centennial 1881-1981 (pages 54 & 55)