Zion Lutheran Church
503 6th Ave
Reynolds, Grand Forks County, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58275
503 6th Ave
Reynolds, Grand Forks County, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58275
At first the Lutheran families in the City of Reynolds joined with the organizing of the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, rural Reynolds, in 1886. To meet the spiritual needs of the growing numbers of Lutheran families in the City of Reynolds, thirty-one families had "signed a request” to build a church in Reynolds. The first meeting of the Zion building committee was held January 21, 1892, and was composed of Swen Ellingson, Ludvig Schulstad, Christ Hagen, Frank Drengson, Martin Mela, Halvor Severinson and Gilbert Ness. After purchase of lots in the SW corner of Block 33, and specifications made regarding design, size, and materials to be used, the bid was "let". A contract with a bid of $2230.00 was signed May 3, 1892, and the work was completed in June.
The charter members of the congregation are Ludvig Schulstad, Swen Ellingson, Frank Drengson, Martin Mela, Halvor Severinson, Turis Iverson, Albert Brakke, Olaf Sonsterud, Christ Hagen, Oluf Olson, Berent Bokk, Toris Olson and Otto Huseby.
Each member donated one-half dozen chairs and took turns as janitor. In 1904 pews were purchased for $262.00. Two stoves were used until the "basement was built in 1927 and a furnace installed. Ten kerosene lamps were used until gas lights were installed. When the light plant was built in Reynolds in 1912, the church was wired, and the old gas lights were used until 1939 when new fixtures were installed. In 1947 a tile floor was laid in the main church; in 1954 extensive remodeling was done; in 1958 a new organ and piano were purchased; in 1959 the Altar was painted; in 1968 carpeting in the main church; in 1974 rest rooms and pastor's study; in 1979 new carpeting was laid in the basement and walls painted and paneled; in 1980 the kitchen was painted, and linoleum tile was laid.
The first 31 years Zion was served by pastors from Hillsboro or Buxton. In 1923 Zion, Stjordalen and St. Olaf united to form a parish and Rev. M.O. Ensberg was the first minister called to serve the three churches. Zion remained independent of any church synod until July 1923 when they joined the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. The church also was dedicated at that time. The Synod name was changed in 1946 to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and in 1961 through merger of several church bodies, it became The American Lutheran Church. Rev. Milo D. Gudim is the present pastor; also serving the St. Olaf Church and Stjordalen Church, which together with Zion comprise the Reynolds Lutheran Parish.
Organizations are a vital part of a church's congregation. The Zion Ladies Aid was formed in December 1890 when it was decided to divide the St. Olaf Ladies Aid, of which the ladies had been members, into two groups; one group to work for St. Olaf Church and the other to work for a church to be built in Reynolds. The members have assisted with the upkeep of the church while giving liberally to missions and charities. Of interest, they helped buy the Altar in 1905 and purchased the church bell in 1907. In 1922 the Ladies Aid joined the Women's Missionary Federation and in 1961 became a member of the American Lutheran Church Women. Another organization was the Sewing Bee organized in 1925. They too gave to missions and helped the local congregation. This organization became inactive in the middle 1940's. A joint Zion - St. Olaf Altar Guild was organized in May 1963 with regular meetings held every other month until November 1965. A Communion Chasable was sewn in September 1964.
There has always been concern about the children and the young people of the congregation. Records indicate the Sunday school was started about 1892. The Norwegian language was used at first and the change to the English language was gradual. Enrollments have varied over the years, from 25 to over 60 pupils. Vacation Bible School has always been held over the years for the youth; at first being held for a month, a teacher was hired, and a local parishioner boarded her. Since 1955 local lay people have been the instructors of the Vacation Bible School with a term at first, being held for half days for two weeks, and at present for full days for one week. Rev. Tallakson organized a Luther League in 1924. Meetings were devotional and social. The Luther League is still active and is now composed of youth from the three churches of the parish, called a Parish Luther League. A "Pigeforening" was organized in 1896; the society took in members as they were made eligible by confirmation and records were kept until 1904. The society was active in raising money to be given to the local church treasury. Mrs. Thomas Gabrielson was instrumental in organizing the Joybells Society in 1942 with the young girls of the Parish. The purpose of the organization was to sew and raise money for orphans and missions. The Joybells became inactive about 1947.
Music is an important part of Lutheran heritage and through the years there have been many faithful and dedicated organists. The choir is an integral part of a worship service. Over the years there have been many dedicated and faithful choir members, directors, and accompanists for the adult choir, the junior choirs, the cherub choir, and the girls’ chorus.
Zion Congregation is proud of the men of the congregation who have served and who have given their lives for their Country. In World War I there were 19 young men serving; and in World War 11 there were 39 young men in service. Six of these gave their lives for God and their Country; World War I was Carl Ellingson; and World War II were Kenneth Bergly, Norris Gorder, Donald Severinson, Everett Severinson, and Otto D. Sorenson.
The charter members of the congregation are Ludvig Schulstad, Swen Ellingson, Frank Drengson, Martin Mela, Halvor Severinson, Turis Iverson, Albert Brakke, Olaf Sonsterud, Christ Hagen, Oluf Olson, Berent Bokk, Toris Olson and Otto Huseby.
Each member donated one-half dozen chairs and took turns as janitor. In 1904 pews were purchased for $262.00. Two stoves were used until the "basement was built in 1927 and a furnace installed. Ten kerosene lamps were used until gas lights were installed. When the light plant was built in Reynolds in 1912, the church was wired, and the old gas lights were used until 1939 when new fixtures were installed. In 1947 a tile floor was laid in the main church; in 1954 extensive remodeling was done; in 1958 a new organ and piano were purchased; in 1959 the Altar was painted; in 1968 carpeting in the main church; in 1974 rest rooms and pastor's study; in 1979 new carpeting was laid in the basement and walls painted and paneled; in 1980 the kitchen was painted, and linoleum tile was laid.
The first 31 years Zion was served by pastors from Hillsboro or Buxton. In 1923 Zion, Stjordalen and St. Olaf united to form a parish and Rev. M.O. Ensberg was the first minister called to serve the three churches. Zion remained independent of any church synod until July 1923 when they joined the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. The church also was dedicated at that time. The Synod name was changed in 1946 to the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and in 1961 through merger of several church bodies, it became The American Lutheran Church. Rev. Milo D. Gudim is the present pastor; also serving the St. Olaf Church and Stjordalen Church, which together with Zion comprise the Reynolds Lutheran Parish.
Organizations are a vital part of a church's congregation. The Zion Ladies Aid was formed in December 1890 when it was decided to divide the St. Olaf Ladies Aid, of which the ladies had been members, into two groups; one group to work for St. Olaf Church and the other to work for a church to be built in Reynolds. The members have assisted with the upkeep of the church while giving liberally to missions and charities. Of interest, they helped buy the Altar in 1905 and purchased the church bell in 1907. In 1922 the Ladies Aid joined the Women's Missionary Federation and in 1961 became a member of the American Lutheran Church Women. Another organization was the Sewing Bee organized in 1925. They too gave to missions and helped the local congregation. This organization became inactive in the middle 1940's. A joint Zion - St. Olaf Altar Guild was organized in May 1963 with regular meetings held every other month until November 1965. A Communion Chasable was sewn in September 1964.
There has always been concern about the children and the young people of the congregation. Records indicate the Sunday school was started about 1892. The Norwegian language was used at first and the change to the English language was gradual. Enrollments have varied over the years, from 25 to over 60 pupils. Vacation Bible School has always been held over the years for the youth; at first being held for a month, a teacher was hired, and a local parishioner boarded her. Since 1955 local lay people have been the instructors of the Vacation Bible School with a term at first, being held for half days for two weeks, and at present for full days for one week. Rev. Tallakson organized a Luther League in 1924. Meetings were devotional and social. The Luther League is still active and is now composed of youth from the three churches of the parish, called a Parish Luther League. A "Pigeforening" was organized in 1896; the society took in members as they were made eligible by confirmation and records were kept until 1904. The society was active in raising money to be given to the local church treasury. Mrs. Thomas Gabrielson was instrumental in organizing the Joybells Society in 1942 with the young girls of the Parish. The purpose of the organization was to sew and raise money for orphans and missions. The Joybells became inactive about 1947.
Music is an important part of Lutheran heritage and through the years there have been many faithful and dedicated organists. The choir is an integral part of a worship service. Over the years there have been many dedicated and faithful choir members, directors, and accompanists for the adult choir, the junior choirs, the cherub choir, and the girls’ chorus.
Zion Congregation is proud of the men of the congregation who have served and who have given their lives for their Country. In World War I there were 19 young men serving; and in World War 11 there were 39 young men in service. Six of these gave their lives for God and their Country; World War I was Carl Ellingson; and World War II were Kenneth Bergly, Norris Gorder, Donald Severinson, Everett Severinson, and Otto D. Sorenson.