Trinity Lutheran Church
402 Desoto Ave
Beltrami, Polk County, Minnesota 56517
402 Desoto Ave
Beltrami, Polk County, Minnesota 56517
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Trinity Lutheran Church Beltrami, Minnesota 1893-1968
Beltrami Lutheran Congregation organized Dec. 20, 1893. 15 Pastors have us. First Pastor--Rev. John T. Krogstad Present Pastor--Rev. Lloyd Berger Trinity Church was built in 1917. Our 75th Anniversary celebrated July 7, 1968. Info from - back of Trinity Lutheran Church plate. |
HISTORY OF TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH OF BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
82 years ago, a group of Scandinavian Lutherans settled in the area now known as Beltrami, Minnesota. Desiring to continue in the faith of their forefathers, general invitation was sent to all Norwegians in this area to meet at the Flakne and Onstad store in Beltrami. On December 20, 1893, several people met and decided to organize a Lutheran Church. A total of 26 adults and 39 children comprised the entire congregation. Immediately they began to search for a pastor and first choice fell to John T. Krogstad. As he lived in Ada this meant that services could be conducted only once a month, so meetings were held in a schoolhouse in Edna, Minnesota. Andrew Mjelde served as first secretary of the congregation. Three years later the congregation voted to erect a church building. Located on the west side of the Great Northern railway tracks, a church was put up having a chancel 14 feet deep and a bell tower 12 by 12 feet. This also housed the entrance.
After nine years of service, Pastor Krogstad resigned and was replaced by Reverend Thosten Boe, who became the first resident pastor. His stay was brief and Reverend Oddmund Omdalsrud came to fill the vacancy. Changes were made frequently and in 1904, Reverend John Brono, who lived in Crookston, served the congregation for two years. In 1906, Reverend Peder Steen was installed as spiritual guide. His home was at Fosston, and he encountered many hardships while making the long trips to Beltrami with horse and buggy. On June 17, 1914, services were conducted by John Hjelme land, a student of theology at the Free Church Seminary. After being ordained he was called to serve in four congregations in the Maple Bay Area. On March 19, 1916, Reverend Otto Lutnes succeeded Pastor Hjelmeland. Though he served only one-half year his ministry was one of distinction. On May 7th, 1916, he preached the first English sermon ever heard in the church. During his short tenure, the congregation decided to build a new church home appointing Reverend Lutnes as architect for the new building. It was decided to erect the structure on a plot of land donated by Mr. Theodore Boyer, where the church now stands. On October 7, 1917, the new building was dedicated by Reverend J. M. Sundheim, president of the Northern District of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. It was about this time that they joined the American Lutheran Church of America. One year later Reverend Moen terminated his services as pastor and Reverend N. L. Otterstad accepted the call. He also served Bethel and Hofslo and Scandia. The home built and owned by Anton Aanden served as a parsonage. In November 1954 a three-point parish was formed which included Beltrami, Hafslo and Scandia. The Stauning house was purchased for a parsonage and on July 31, 1955, Reverend L. S. Gjerde was installed as pastor. A resident pastor greatly benefited the congregation. His ministry was marked by greater attendance at worship; a Junior Luther League was formed, a junior choir organized, and a Prayer Fellowship group met each week.
You have read a short history of this church located at Beltrami. In the words of Pastor Berger, "By itself it may seem insignificant, but you must read between the lines. There, hid den behind cold, dead facts you will catch fleeting glimpses of the excitement and the despair, the history and the defeat, the joy and the sorrow that characterizes the people of God. But always the church moves onward, because it follows in the steps of Christ. Christ is far out in front."
Info from -Bicentennial History of Polk County, Minnesota Pioneers of the Valley (page 365)
82 years ago, a group of Scandinavian Lutherans settled in the area now known as Beltrami, Minnesota. Desiring to continue in the faith of their forefathers, general invitation was sent to all Norwegians in this area to meet at the Flakne and Onstad store in Beltrami. On December 20, 1893, several people met and decided to organize a Lutheran Church. A total of 26 adults and 39 children comprised the entire congregation. Immediately they began to search for a pastor and first choice fell to John T. Krogstad. As he lived in Ada this meant that services could be conducted only once a month, so meetings were held in a schoolhouse in Edna, Minnesota. Andrew Mjelde served as first secretary of the congregation. Three years later the congregation voted to erect a church building. Located on the west side of the Great Northern railway tracks, a church was put up having a chancel 14 feet deep and a bell tower 12 by 12 feet. This also housed the entrance.
After nine years of service, Pastor Krogstad resigned and was replaced by Reverend Thosten Boe, who became the first resident pastor. His stay was brief and Reverend Oddmund Omdalsrud came to fill the vacancy. Changes were made frequently and in 1904, Reverend John Brono, who lived in Crookston, served the congregation for two years. In 1906, Reverend Peder Steen was installed as spiritual guide. His home was at Fosston, and he encountered many hardships while making the long trips to Beltrami with horse and buggy. On June 17, 1914, services were conducted by John Hjelme land, a student of theology at the Free Church Seminary. After being ordained he was called to serve in four congregations in the Maple Bay Area. On March 19, 1916, Reverend Otto Lutnes succeeded Pastor Hjelmeland. Though he served only one-half year his ministry was one of distinction. On May 7th, 1916, he preached the first English sermon ever heard in the church. During his short tenure, the congregation decided to build a new church home appointing Reverend Lutnes as architect for the new building. It was decided to erect the structure on a plot of land donated by Mr. Theodore Boyer, where the church now stands. On October 7, 1917, the new building was dedicated by Reverend J. M. Sundheim, president of the Northern District of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. It was about this time that they joined the American Lutheran Church of America. One year later Reverend Moen terminated his services as pastor and Reverend N. L. Otterstad accepted the call. He also served Bethel and Hofslo and Scandia. The home built and owned by Anton Aanden served as a parsonage. In November 1954 a three-point parish was formed which included Beltrami, Hafslo and Scandia. The Stauning house was purchased for a parsonage and on July 31, 1955, Reverend L. S. Gjerde was installed as pastor. A resident pastor greatly benefited the congregation. His ministry was marked by greater attendance at worship; a Junior Luther League was formed, a junior choir organized, and a Prayer Fellowship group met each week.
You have read a short history of this church located at Beltrami. In the words of Pastor Berger, "By itself it may seem insignificant, but you must read between the lines. There, hid den behind cold, dead facts you will catch fleeting glimpses of the excitement and the despair, the history and the defeat, the joy and the sorrow that characterizes the people of God. But always the church moves onward, because it follows in the steps of Christ. Christ is far out in front."
Info from -Bicentennial History of Polk County, Minnesota Pioneers of the Valley (page 365)