Union Lutheran Church
595 114th Ave SE
Hannaford, Griggs County, North Dakota
(4 miles east 1 mile north of Hannaford)
595 114th Ave SE
Hannaford, Griggs County, North Dakota
(4 miles east 1 mile north of Hannaford)
Pastor I. L. Lundeby was a mission pastor sent out by the Norwegian and Danish Conference of North America. His mission field extended from Lisbon, along the Sheyenne River and way up to Devils Lake. At that time there were two small congregations organized in the area. They were called Haabet (Hope) and Wheatland. Later it was decided to organize these two small congregations into one, so therefore on November 2, 1884, these two congregations merged and thus came into being Union Lutheran Congregation. Pastor Lundeby was the first pastor called, and he was required to give at least six Sunday and holiday services and six everyday services during the year at a salary of $90. Nels Hemmingson gave land for a cemetery but was given it back later before there were any graves, and land on the Albin Forsberg farm was chosen for both church and cemetery and it still stands there today.
In 1924, Union, Eidfjord, St. Olaf and Hannaford became a parish. Before that, it was Union, Ness and Lund as a parish. On February 1, 1959, Hannaford Congregation was granted a release from the Hannaford Parish. This resulted in the formation of the Trinity Parish of Union, St. Olaf and Eidfjord which are still a parish as of now. Union Church Cemetery has recently been incorporated.
Pastors who have served Union are
I. L. Lundeby
O. K. Quamme
Henrik Voldal
N. J. Vikingstad
Sigrud Olson
J. M. Haaland
E. C. Tollefson
E. O. Stepson
E. O. Lee
Lewis Bakke
Roy Gilbertson
E.L. Bersagel
Alexander Thompson
Soren S. Urberg
Milton Olson
L.A. Staveness
Arvild Jacobson
John Baxter
David Fretham
Pastors Galen and Helen Kuhens, and Pastors Bob and Mary Albing who are presently serving Trinity.
Union celebrated its 100th anniversary with a two-day celebration June 16-17, 1984, with several former pastors present.
The church is still active with ELC Women’s Aid, Family League and Sunday School.
Our present officers are:
Trustees Ralph Haugen, Maynard Haugen and Gilbert Haugen
Deacons are Oscar Stockeland, Donald Stockeland and Mrs. Eldren Haugen
Secretary Mark Haugen
Treasurer Mrs. Leland Harvey
Financial Secretary Howard Larson
Organists Mrs. Leland Harvey, Marla Haugen and Mrs. Oscar Stockeland
Sextons are Howard Larson, Jim Stockeland and Maynard Haugen
Union Aid officers are
President Mrs. Orville Kalvik
Vice President Mrs. Leland Harvey
Secretary Mrs. Elverne Haugen, and
Treasurer Ruth Lunn.
Family League officers are
President Ralph Haugen,
Vice President Donald Stockeland
Secretary Mrs. Orville Kalvik, and
Treasurer Mrs. Leland Harvey.
A former pastor, Soren S. Urberg wrote the following poem, and it is very fitting at the close of our history on the centennial year.
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 68
OLD UNION CHURCH
Old Union Church stands straight and white
Through a hundred years a beacon light,
Bringing the word, fighting the fight,
Calling to faith by Spirits might.
Out in the yard lie dear remains
of those who knew of toil and pains,
Who in His blood have lost their stains,
and now in heaven sing glad refrains.
With thanks and praise we bless thy name,
Thy love and mercy still the same,
So we may also one day claim
Eternal life in Jesus' name.
We ask, O Lord, that Thou wouldst bless
This Church in days of Joy and stress.
If future years be more or less,
Let us tell of they righteousness.
Submitted by Mrs. Oscar Stockeland
Mrs. Gilbert Haugen
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 69
In 1924, Union, Eidfjord, St. Olaf and Hannaford became a parish. Before that, it was Union, Ness and Lund as a parish. On February 1, 1959, Hannaford Congregation was granted a release from the Hannaford Parish. This resulted in the formation of the Trinity Parish of Union, St. Olaf and Eidfjord which are still a parish as of now. Union Church Cemetery has recently been incorporated.
Pastors who have served Union are
I. L. Lundeby
O. K. Quamme
Henrik Voldal
N. J. Vikingstad
Sigrud Olson
J. M. Haaland
E. C. Tollefson
E. O. Stepson
E. O. Lee
Lewis Bakke
Roy Gilbertson
E.L. Bersagel
Alexander Thompson
Soren S. Urberg
Milton Olson
L.A. Staveness
Arvild Jacobson
John Baxter
David Fretham
Pastors Galen and Helen Kuhens, and Pastors Bob and Mary Albing who are presently serving Trinity.
Union celebrated its 100th anniversary with a two-day celebration June 16-17, 1984, with several former pastors present.
The church is still active with ELC Women’s Aid, Family League and Sunday School.
Our present officers are:
Trustees Ralph Haugen, Maynard Haugen and Gilbert Haugen
Deacons are Oscar Stockeland, Donald Stockeland and Mrs. Eldren Haugen
Secretary Mark Haugen
Treasurer Mrs. Leland Harvey
Financial Secretary Howard Larson
Organists Mrs. Leland Harvey, Marla Haugen and Mrs. Oscar Stockeland
Sextons are Howard Larson, Jim Stockeland and Maynard Haugen
Union Aid officers are
President Mrs. Orville Kalvik
Vice President Mrs. Leland Harvey
Secretary Mrs. Elverne Haugen, and
Treasurer Ruth Lunn.
Family League officers are
President Ralph Haugen,
Vice President Donald Stockeland
Secretary Mrs. Orville Kalvik, and
Treasurer Mrs. Leland Harvey.
A former pastor, Soren S. Urberg wrote the following poem, and it is very fitting at the close of our history on the centennial year.
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 68
OLD UNION CHURCH
Old Union Church stands straight and white
Through a hundred years a beacon light,
Bringing the word, fighting the fight,
Calling to faith by Spirits might.
Out in the yard lie dear remains
of those who knew of toil and pains,
Who in His blood have lost their stains,
and now in heaven sing glad refrains.
With thanks and praise we bless thy name,
Thy love and mercy still the same,
So we may also one day claim
Eternal life in Jesus' name.
We ask, O Lord, that Thou wouldst bless
This Church in days of Joy and stress.
If future years be more or less,
Let us tell of they righteousness.
Submitted by Mrs. Oscar Stockeland
Mrs. Gilbert Haugen
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 69
Around 1880, Pastor I. L. Lundeby was stationed at Valley City, North Dakota as a mission preacher sent out by the Norwegian and Danish Conference of North America. His mission field extended from Lisbon, Ransom County along the Sheyenne River and way up to Devils Lake. At that time there were two small congregations organized in the area. They were called Haabet (Hope) and Wheatland. Later on it was decided to organize these two small congregations into one congregation so, therefore, on November 2, 1884 these two congregations merged and thus came into being Union Lutheran Congregation. At this meeting a Letter of Call was issued to Pastor Lundeby for their permanent pastor. This required Pastor Lundeby to give them at least six Sunday and Holiday Services, and six everyday services during the year at a salary of $90.00. At this same meeting, NELS HEMMINGSON offered the congregation a piece of land for a cemetery. The first regular officers elected were as follows:
Deacons - Andreas Benson, John J. Haugen and Kristian Lee
Trustees - Edward Stai, Mathias Fjelsland and Einar Stromme
Treasurer, Nels Hemmingson and Secretary, Frithjof Greenland. During the next few years services were held in homes and later in schoolhouses. Many services were held in the hayloft in ALBIN FORSBERG'S barn during the summer months.
According to information received from relatives, Knut Kalvik was baptized at services in this barn, as perhaps others were as well.
On May 1, 1895, the Union Congregation voted to begin the building of a church. The work on the church foundation was started June 1, 1895. The following met to take part in labor of making the foundation of the first Norwegian Lutheran building in Griggs County, North Dakota:
Johannes Haugen, Hans Haugen, Ole O. Kaastad, Knut Kalvik, Albin Forsberg, Daniel Syverson, David Kalland, John J. Haugen, Johannes Kalvik, Haldor Stromme, Fritjof Greenland, August Johnson, Edward Stai, and John Vik. The first services held in this church were held July 28, 1895. Of the first baptized in the new building, Mrs. Gertrude (Kalvik) Vedo is the oldest living baptized member. She now lives at Benedict, North Dakota. Iver Haugen is the oldest living member at this writing.
On June 16, 1896, at a legal congregational meeting, a request was made to be taken up as a member in the conference of the Norse-Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church. Andrew Benson was the delegate chosen to attend the convention at Sandhill, Minnesota.
There not having been any deaths, the land received from Nels Hemmingson was returned to him and a more suitable place for church and cemetery was chosen on the Albin Forsberg farm where the church now stands.
In 1924 a re-alignment took place and Union, Eidfjord, St. Olaf and Hannaford became a parish. Before that time Union, Ness and Lund had been a parish. The following pastors have served Union through the years:
Pastor I. L. Lundeby from beginning until 1886
Reverend O. K. Quamme, 1886-1904
Pastor P. A. Thoreson, temporary, January 1905-September 1905
Reverend Henrik Voldal, 1905-1908
Pastor A. E. Midthun, temporary
Pastor N. J. Vikingstad, 1909-1914
Reverend Sigurd Olson, 1914-1921
Reverend John M. Haaland, 1921-1927
Reverend E. C. Tollefson, temporary, 1927-1928
Pastor E. O. Stenson, 1928-1929
Pastor E. O. Lee, 1930-1947
Student Pastor Lewis Bakke, 19471949
Reverend Roy Gilbertson, 1949-1953
Reverend E. L. Bersagel, 1953-1957
Reverend Alexander Thompson, 1957-1959
Reverend Soren S. Urberg, 1959-1963
Pastor Milton Olson, 1963-1968
Pastor L. A. Staveness, 1968-1971
Reverend Arvild Jacobson, 1971 to present time.
On February 1, 1959, Hannaford Congregation was granted a release from the Hannaford parish. This resulted in the formation of the Trinity parish of Union, St. Olaf and Eidfjord congregations.
In the fall and winter of 1957-1958, an addition to the original church was built as an overflow room, Sunday School and educational building, as well as a Ladies Aid parlor. This addition included a kitchen. Recently completed was some remodeling and repair and a small addition to the present entrance.
Union is still a very active congregation and celebrated their 90th Anniversary June 24, 1973.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 290
Deacons - Andreas Benson, John J. Haugen and Kristian Lee
Trustees - Edward Stai, Mathias Fjelsland and Einar Stromme
Treasurer, Nels Hemmingson and Secretary, Frithjof Greenland. During the next few years services were held in homes and later in schoolhouses. Many services were held in the hayloft in ALBIN FORSBERG'S barn during the summer months.
According to information received from relatives, Knut Kalvik was baptized at services in this barn, as perhaps others were as well.
On May 1, 1895, the Union Congregation voted to begin the building of a church. The work on the church foundation was started June 1, 1895. The following met to take part in labor of making the foundation of the first Norwegian Lutheran building in Griggs County, North Dakota:
Johannes Haugen, Hans Haugen, Ole O. Kaastad, Knut Kalvik, Albin Forsberg, Daniel Syverson, David Kalland, John J. Haugen, Johannes Kalvik, Haldor Stromme, Fritjof Greenland, August Johnson, Edward Stai, and John Vik. The first services held in this church were held July 28, 1895. Of the first baptized in the new building, Mrs. Gertrude (Kalvik) Vedo is the oldest living baptized member. She now lives at Benedict, North Dakota. Iver Haugen is the oldest living member at this writing.
On June 16, 1896, at a legal congregational meeting, a request was made to be taken up as a member in the conference of the Norse-Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church. Andrew Benson was the delegate chosen to attend the convention at Sandhill, Minnesota.
There not having been any deaths, the land received from Nels Hemmingson was returned to him and a more suitable place for church and cemetery was chosen on the Albin Forsberg farm where the church now stands.
In 1924 a re-alignment took place and Union, Eidfjord, St. Olaf and Hannaford became a parish. Before that time Union, Ness and Lund had been a parish. The following pastors have served Union through the years:
Pastor I. L. Lundeby from beginning until 1886
Reverend O. K. Quamme, 1886-1904
Pastor P. A. Thoreson, temporary, January 1905-September 1905
Reverend Henrik Voldal, 1905-1908
Pastor A. E. Midthun, temporary
Pastor N. J. Vikingstad, 1909-1914
Reverend Sigurd Olson, 1914-1921
Reverend John M. Haaland, 1921-1927
Reverend E. C. Tollefson, temporary, 1927-1928
Pastor E. O. Stenson, 1928-1929
Pastor E. O. Lee, 1930-1947
Student Pastor Lewis Bakke, 19471949
Reverend Roy Gilbertson, 1949-1953
Reverend E. L. Bersagel, 1953-1957
Reverend Alexander Thompson, 1957-1959
Reverend Soren S. Urberg, 1959-1963
Pastor Milton Olson, 1963-1968
Pastor L. A. Staveness, 1968-1971
Reverend Arvild Jacobson, 1971 to present time.
On February 1, 1959, Hannaford Congregation was granted a release from the Hannaford parish. This resulted in the formation of the Trinity parish of Union, St. Olaf and Eidfjord congregations.
In the fall and winter of 1957-1958, an addition to the original church was built as an overflow room, Sunday School and educational building, as well as a Ladies Aid parlor. This addition included a kitchen. Recently completed was some remodeling and repair and a small addition to the present entrance.
Union is still a very active congregation and celebrated their 90th Anniversary June 24, 1973.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 290