Zion Lutheran Church
14074 County Road 11
Hoople, Walsh County North Dakota 58243
14074 County Road 11
Hoople, Walsh County North Dakota 58243
The first meeting of what is now Zion Lutheran Congregation of rural Hoople was held in 1879 and at that time there were only a few settlers in this area. But religion was a very important segment in the life of these early pioneers.
On Sept. 22,1879, Rev. B. A. Harstad of Goose River conducted the organizational meeting at the farm home of Tom Knutson, eight miles west and one and one-fourth miles north of Grafton on the farm presently owned by Ethel Clemenson Page who is a granddaughter of Tom Knutson. The pioneers gathered in homes every couple of weeks for the next two years to hold worship services.
The first members of the congregation were: Mr. and Mrs Ellend Johnson and six children; Mr. and Mrs.
Isreal Anderson and six children; Mr. and Mrs. Kittil Aaneson and six children; Mr. and Mrs. Hans Sorenson and one child; Mr. and Mrs. Syver Anderson Lee and four children; Mr. and Mrs. Hans J. Onsrud and one child; Mr. and Mrs. Niels Ellevson Mastrei and nine children- Mr and Mrs. Evend Knudson and one child; Tallev Olson Ivesdal; Hans N. Vig; Tallev Tallevson; Mr. and Mrs. Jorgen Bjornson; Ole Olson; Mr. and Mrs. Hans Thorson Midboe and two children; and Tom Knudson.
In 1880 Rev. O. H. Aaberg assisted with services and in the summer of 1880, C. A. Flaten, who did missionary work in this area north of Grand Forks, received a call to serve this area in 1881 upon his graduation from seminary In the fall of 1881, Rev. C. A. Flaten and his wife, Bodil, filed for a homestead in what is now section four in Fertile Township, which became their home as long as they both lived. Rev. C. A. Flaten served the parish until his death Nov. 7, 1889, at 36. He is buried at Zion. Flaten's first home was a log cabin and thus served as the first parsonage. A new wood frame home was built on the farm in 1887.
In October 1882, plans were made for the building of a church, but due to lack of funds and materials, it was not ready for dedication until July 17, 1889. The congregation had to secure a building site. On Feb 12, 1885, three acres of land was purchased from George Gunder Soli Tallackson in two parcels - one acre for twenty-five cents and two acres for three hundred dollars. Later in 1892, Zion, Park Center, Concordia and South Trinity purchased ten and three-fourths acres from George Tallackson for $236.50 and accepted two acres from the Zion congregation. Not until 1958, were these two acres deeded back to Zion to enlarge the Zion Cemetery.
Several pioneer families had to bury their loved ones on their homesteads because a cemetery had not been established. So, in 1880, at the thud meeting of the congregation, John Grovom, father of Mrs. George Tallackson, offered land for a cemetery and it was accepted.
At the time that Zion Ladies' Aid was organized, the congregation had just built their first church and owed what at that time seemed a large sum. One of the main projects of the Aid was to help finance the interior furnishings Missions, church schools, and orphanages were other projects. Throughout the history of the church, the Ladies' Aid has been the most active organization within I the church and has served a most important function. The Aid served not only as a financial arm of the church for various projects but for Christian fellowship, inspiration and social interaction. Meetings were held in homes of women in the congregation. The Aid was organized by Rev. C. A. Flaten, May 14, 1885, six years after Zion congregation was organized. The first meeting was held in the parsonage and the following officers were elected- President, Mrs. Gunerius Bjorneby; Vice President, Mrs. Gunerius Walstad; and Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. C. A. Flaten.
In 1921 when the new church was built, again the Aid assisted in providing finances for furnishing and
equipment for the new house of worship. The church suppers served by the Aid were a time of Christian fellowship enjoyed by people in the community.
Religious training of the children was important. In June 1881, T. G. Midboe took over the parochial school and supervised the organization of the Sunday School. For the religious instruction of the youth in the congregation was divided into districts and the instruction was held at homes. For several years Mrs. C. A Flaten supervised the Sunday School and taught parochial school. During the winter of 1887 and 1888, parochial school for the congregation was held at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Flaten. Since many of the child ren lived too far to commute day, a dormitory was made of an old log house at the Flaten farm. The boys were housed in the upstairs where meals were prepared Flaten with the instruction. During ensuing years, instruction was held in district schoolhouses. Each district supervised its own schooling, sometimes conducting Sunday School as well as weekday parochial school.
In 1916, Severt Herwick reorganized the Sunday School, which met at the church sacristy. Mr. Herwick
continued as superintendent until 1920, when Miss Johanna Flaten, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Flaten,
assumed these duties until 1936. After the death of Rev. Flaten in 1889, Rev. J. A. Ofstedahl of the Grafton Parish served temporarily (14 months). Ofstedahl had accepted a call to the Grafton parish in 1889.
South Trinity Congregation joined with Zion congregation in 1890. Concordia Church was with Zion Congregation for ten years and their records were kept in Zion until 1890. In 1893 North Trinity built their own church and asked permission from the pastor and Zion congregation to join with the Hauge Church and leave Zion parish. But, in 1920, North Trinity rejoined the Zion parish and again was served by the same pastor as Zion.
Since the first parsonage was the Flaten homestead, anew parsonage had to be constructed when Rev. Flaten parsonage was built and financed by Zion, Park Center, and Concordia, costing $1,300 and was occupied by Christmas, 1891.
Church bells for Zion were purchased from a St. Louis firm and they were rung for the first time on March 31,1895. In 1895, a new organ was also purchased.
Rev. K. A. Fjellbu was installed as pastor at Zion in January 1891 and served until 1900. He received three furloughs, one to Minneapolis to learn English, and two vacations to his native Norway. During his absences pastors Stensaas, Hilseth and Nykreim served.
From 1900-1906, Zion was served by Rev. K. O. Storli. Since Pastor Storli and his wife had five children, the family was very active in youth organizations. The first youth organization of which Zion had a record was a group of young women who met for the first time in the parsonage in October 1900. They met in homes twice a month to work for various missions and charities as well as Christian Fellowship. The Young People's Society was organized later and also met twice a month. This organization helped purchase many items for the church as well as contributions to missions and other charities.
Rev. O. L. Kirkeberg served the congregation for seven years from 1906-13. He was the author of several books written in Norwegian. Rev. Kirkeberg died in 1925 and is buried at Zion.
Rev. Shurson came to serve the parish in 1913. Shurson accepted a call from Hoople, consisting of four congregations, where he remained for two years. Rev. Shurson helped organize the Lutheran Church of Hoople which was served by our pastors until 1926.
The summer of 1915, Rev. Adolph Egge came to serve Zion. He was the pastor of five congregations in the Grafton-Hoople area. He served until 1926. The summer of 1921 the present church at Zion was built. Stained glass windows were gifts by members, some being in memory of pioneers. The laying of the cornerstone at Zion was Sept. 25, 1921. The old church became too crowded, so it was razed, and a new church constructed on the same site.
In 1926, the charge consisting of Zion, South Trinity, North Trinity, Hoople, and Park Center was divided, Hoople and Park Center, including Hvideso, and from 1926 on, our parish was comprised of Zion, North Trinity and South Trinity.
Rev. C. M. Grimsrud was installed in September 1926 and served until August 1929. The 50th anniversary of Zion, South Trinity and North Trinity was celebrated in July 1929. All three congregations met in a large tent at Zion on Sunday during the three-day celebration.
For nearly twenty-three years, 1929-1953, Rev L O. Helleklev served Zion Church. He resigned, due to failing health, and became a resident of the Valley Memorial Home in Grand Forks until his death in 1958 and he is buried at Zion. It was when Rev. Helleklev was serving Zion that Norwegian services were discontinued in 1936.
Some pastors who served brief periods were B. M. Bradford for three months in 1929; J. N. Helseth for six months in 1889; and P. T. Stensaas for four months in 1893.
The first communion set, and the first Bible used at Zion Church have been restored and are on display at the church.
Our community has been blessed in having a church home in our community like Zion. In 1979 Zion Church will be celebrating its centennial. "Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done.” Col. 2:7.
Information - A Story Of Walsh County And Its Pioneers Volume 1 (pages 403-406)
On Sept. 22,1879, Rev. B. A. Harstad of Goose River conducted the organizational meeting at the farm home of Tom Knutson, eight miles west and one and one-fourth miles north of Grafton on the farm presently owned by Ethel Clemenson Page who is a granddaughter of Tom Knutson. The pioneers gathered in homes every couple of weeks for the next two years to hold worship services.
The first members of the congregation were: Mr. and Mrs Ellend Johnson and six children; Mr. and Mrs.
Isreal Anderson and six children; Mr. and Mrs. Kittil Aaneson and six children; Mr. and Mrs. Hans Sorenson and one child; Mr. and Mrs. Syver Anderson Lee and four children; Mr. and Mrs. Hans J. Onsrud and one child; Mr. and Mrs. Niels Ellevson Mastrei and nine children- Mr and Mrs. Evend Knudson and one child; Tallev Olson Ivesdal; Hans N. Vig; Tallev Tallevson; Mr. and Mrs. Jorgen Bjornson; Ole Olson; Mr. and Mrs. Hans Thorson Midboe and two children; and Tom Knudson.
In 1880 Rev. O. H. Aaberg assisted with services and in the summer of 1880, C. A. Flaten, who did missionary work in this area north of Grand Forks, received a call to serve this area in 1881 upon his graduation from seminary In the fall of 1881, Rev. C. A. Flaten and his wife, Bodil, filed for a homestead in what is now section four in Fertile Township, which became their home as long as they both lived. Rev. C. A. Flaten served the parish until his death Nov. 7, 1889, at 36. He is buried at Zion. Flaten's first home was a log cabin and thus served as the first parsonage. A new wood frame home was built on the farm in 1887.
In October 1882, plans were made for the building of a church, but due to lack of funds and materials, it was not ready for dedication until July 17, 1889. The congregation had to secure a building site. On Feb 12, 1885, three acres of land was purchased from George Gunder Soli Tallackson in two parcels - one acre for twenty-five cents and two acres for three hundred dollars. Later in 1892, Zion, Park Center, Concordia and South Trinity purchased ten and three-fourths acres from George Tallackson for $236.50 and accepted two acres from the Zion congregation. Not until 1958, were these two acres deeded back to Zion to enlarge the Zion Cemetery.
Several pioneer families had to bury their loved ones on their homesteads because a cemetery had not been established. So, in 1880, at the thud meeting of the congregation, John Grovom, father of Mrs. George Tallackson, offered land for a cemetery and it was accepted.
At the time that Zion Ladies' Aid was organized, the congregation had just built their first church and owed what at that time seemed a large sum. One of the main projects of the Aid was to help finance the interior furnishings Missions, church schools, and orphanages were other projects. Throughout the history of the church, the Ladies' Aid has been the most active organization within I the church and has served a most important function. The Aid served not only as a financial arm of the church for various projects but for Christian fellowship, inspiration and social interaction. Meetings were held in homes of women in the congregation. The Aid was organized by Rev. C. A. Flaten, May 14, 1885, six years after Zion congregation was organized. The first meeting was held in the parsonage and the following officers were elected- President, Mrs. Gunerius Bjorneby; Vice President, Mrs. Gunerius Walstad; and Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. C. A. Flaten.
In 1921 when the new church was built, again the Aid assisted in providing finances for furnishing and
equipment for the new house of worship. The church suppers served by the Aid were a time of Christian fellowship enjoyed by people in the community.
Religious training of the children was important. In June 1881, T. G. Midboe took over the parochial school and supervised the organization of the Sunday School. For the religious instruction of the youth in the congregation was divided into districts and the instruction was held at homes. For several years Mrs. C. A Flaten supervised the Sunday School and taught parochial school. During the winter of 1887 and 1888, parochial school for the congregation was held at the home of Rev. and Mrs. Flaten. Since many of the child ren lived too far to commute day, a dormitory was made of an old log house at the Flaten farm. The boys were housed in the upstairs where meals were prepared Flaten with the instruction. During ensuing years, instruction was held in district schoolhouses. Each district supervised its own schooling, sometimes conducting Sunday School as well as weekday parochial school.
In 1916, Severt Herwick reorganized the Sunday School, which met at the church sacristy. Mr. Herwick
continued as superintendent until 1920, when Miss Johanna Flaten, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Flaten,
assumed these duties until 1936. After the death of Rev. Flaten in 1889, Rev. J. A. Ofstedahl of the Grafton Parish served temporarily (14 months). Ofstedahl had accepted a call to the Grafton parish in 1889.
South Trinity Congregation joined with Zion congregation in 1890. Concordia Church was with Zion Congregation for ten years and their records were kept in Zion until 1890. In 1893 North Trinity built their own church and asked permission from the pastor and Zion congregation to join with the Hauge Church and leave Zion parish. But, in 1920, North Trinity rejoined the Zion parish and again was served by the same pastor as Zion.
Since the first parsonage was the Flaten homestead, anew parsonage had to be constructed when Rev. Flaten parsonage was built and financed by Zion, Park Center, and Concordia, costing $1,300 and was occupied by Christmas, 1891.
Church bells for Zion were purchased from a St. Louis firm and they were rung for the first time on March 31,1895. In 1895, a new organ was also purchased.
Rev. K. A. Fjellbu was installed as pastor at Zion in January 1891 and served until 1900. He received three furloughs, one to Minneapolis to learn English, and two vacations to his native Norway. During his absences pastors Stensaas, Hilseth and Nykreim served.
From 1900-1906, Zion was served by Rev. K. O. Storli. Since Pastor Storli and his wife had five children, the family was very active in youth organizations. The first youth organization of which Zion had a record was a group of young women who met for the first time in the parsonage in October 1900. They met in homes twice a month to work for various missions and charities as well as Christian Fellowship. The Young People's Society was organized later and also met twice a month. This organization helped purchase many items for the church as well as contributions to missions and other charities.
Rev. O. L. Kirkeberg served the congregation for seven years from 1906-13. He was the author of several books written in Norwegian. Rev. Kirkeberg died in 1925 and is buried at Zion.
Rev. Shurson came to serve the parish in 1913. Shurson accepted a call from Hoople, consisting of four congregations, where he remained for two years. Rev. Shurson helped organize the Lutheran Church of Hoople which was served by our pastors until 1926.
The summer of 1915, Rev. Adolph Egge came to serve Zion. He was the pastor of five congregations in the Grafton-Hoople area. He served until 1926. The summer of 1921 the present church at Zion was built. Stained glass windows were gifts by members, some being in memory of pioneers. The laying of the cornerstone at Zion was Sept. 25, 1921. The old church became too crowded, so it was razed, and a new church constructed on the same site.
In 1926, the charge consisting of Zion, South Trinity, North Trinity, Hoople, and Park Center was divided, Hoople and Park Center, including Hvideso, and from 1926 on, our parish was comprised of Zion, North Trinity and South Trinity.
Rev. C. M. Grimsrud was installed in September 1926 and served until August 1929. The 50th anniversary of Zion, South Trinity and North Trinity was celebrated in July 1929. All three congregations met in a large tent at Zion on Sunday during the three-day celebration.
For nearly twenty-three years, 1929-1953, Rev L O. Helleklev served Zion Church. He resigned, due to failing health, and became a resident of the Valley Memorial Home in Grand Forks until his death in 1958 and he is buried at Zion. It was when Rev. Helleklev was serving Zion that Norwegian services were discontinued in 1936.
Some pastors who served brief periods were B. M. Bradford for three months in 1929; J. N. Helseth for six months in 1889; and P. T. Stensaas for four months in 1893.
The first communion set, and the first Bible used at Zion Church have been restored and are on display at the church.
Our community has been blessed in having a church home in our community like Zion. In 1979 Zion Church will be celebrating its centennial. "Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done.” Col. 2:7.
Information - A Story Of Walsh County And Its Pioneers Volume 1 (pages 403-406)
Zion Lutheran Church Hoople, ND Organized 1879
On September 22, 1879, Rev. Harstad of Goose River held the organization meeting of congregation at the log cabin home of Tom Knutsen. Membership of first congregation included 25 adults and 36 children. Church plans were made in 1882, and dedication was in 1889. C.A. Flaten was pastor from 1881-1889; J.A. Ofstedahl, 1889-1891; K.A. Fjellbu, 1891-1900; K.O. Storlie, 1900-1906; O.L. Kirkeberg, 1906-1913; H.O. Shurson, 1913-1915; A. Egge, 1915-1926; C.M. Grimarud, 1926-1929; L.O. Helleklev, 1929-1953; O.E. Johnson, 1953-: Church erected in 1921. It is an ever-present reminder of God's Grace. Great indeed is its heritage and greater is the challenge of the future. Info from -back of Zion Lutheran Church plate. |