Washington Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church
6 Miles East & 1 Mile North of Northwood
Northwood, Grand Forks County, North Dakota, 58267​​

The first pastor to conduct religious services in the homes of the pioneers was Rev. B. A. Harstad. On June 5, 1882, Rev. C. J. Gronlid met with a group of settlers in the home of Kittel Aae and helped organize the Washington Congregation. The proposed constitution was adopted on November 28 and a parochial school committee was elected. Then on June 5, 1883, it was decided to build a church and Philip Amundson and A.K. Mandt were elected to solicit funds. The project had to be abandoned due to a lack of financial support. Pastor Gronlid resigned in 1886. This was the year Washington Congregation severed its connection with the Hatton Parish and together with the Clermont and the West Union Congregations formed a new parish. In October 1886, Pastor Olav Lee was installed. He and his wife helped organize the Washington Ladies Aid at the home of Albert Koto in May of 1883 with 13 charter members. From November 1890, when Pastor Lee resigned until 1898, Pastors Tollefson and Gronlid conducted services. Previously another group of pioneers to the north and west had organized the Gran Lutheran Church under the leadership of Rev. M. J. Waage. The Gran and the Washington Congregations merged in 1892. A new constitution was adopted. Old parish ties were severed. An agreement was entered into whereby the Washington Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Northwood Evangelical Lutheran Church formed a new parish. It was then decided to build a new church. One acre of land was purchased from P. O. Mandt on which to build and Ole Sandvik donated three acres for a cemetery. In 1892 the new church was finished. Ole Stendahl had built the pulpit and the altar which were painted by Hans Tandberg. The first couple to be married in the new church was Hans Melaas and Maxberg Larson. In 1892 Pastor Albert Johanson was installed. He was instrumental in the organizing of the first Luther League at the home of L. P. Mandt in 1894 and a choir was begun under the direction of Martin Holien. The church was dedicated by Pastor Hulteng on June 19, 1895. Rev. J. D. Runsvold was installed in 1906 and Rev. R. R. Syrdal in 1918. The church celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary on June 19, 1932. Dr. Stoeve, North Dakota District President, installed Rev. L. O. Lasseson as our new pastor. The church was remodeled, a new entrance was added, and the steeple rebuilt. A basement and light plant were installed. Dr. Arthur Rholl became pastor in February 1947. Under his direction a Sunday School, midweek Bible classes and adult confirmation instruction were introduced. The ensuing years brought extensive improvements. New floors were built into the church and a new electric organ and piano were placed in the sanctuary. A new entry addition was built in 1975 and a new organ was purchased in 1978. Steel siding was installed in 1982. The congregation sponsored a new church building in Thompson, North Dakota, in 1982. The 100th year centennial was held June 11-13, 1982. Pastors who have served the congregation include Pastor Edwin C. Astrup, 1958-1965; Pastor Victor A. Saude, 1967-1975; Pastor James Pedersen, 1976 to the present time.

Info from: A Century of progress, 1884-1984, Northwood, North Dakota Page 201