Zoar Lutheran Church
321 7th Street
Hatton, Traill County, North Dakota 58240
321 7th Street
Hatton, Traill County, North Dakota 58240
The Zoar Lutheran Congregation came into being as result of the spiritual revival in the '90's. Interested followers and supporters of this Revival Movement became increasingly concerned about organizing an Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Hatton. On November 28, 1898, a few interested men gathered at the home of Erik Johnson for the purpose of discussing this matter. At this meeting a motion was made and unanimously carried, to organize a Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. The following men were elected as the first officers of the congregation:
President Elling A. Aase
Secretary Ole A. Huus
Treasurer Halvor T. Bjertness
Trustees Hellick S. Dokken, and Erik Johnson
The following men were present at this organizational meeting and their names recorded in the minutes and thus became, with their families, the charter members of the congregation: Johannes Kamphaugh, Peder J. Kamphaugh, Ole A. Huus, Hellick S. Dokken, Elling A. Aase, Erik Johnson, Peder O. Pederson, and Halvor T. Bjertness.
At a meeting on December 19, 1898, the name, "Hatton Congregation," was adopted, but on July 20, 1903, the name was changed to: "Zoar Evangelical Lutheran Church." "Zoar" means place of refuge.
On March 13, 1899, the newly organized congregation decided to make plans for the building of a church. Erik Johnson, Peder J. Kamphaugh and Halvor T. Bjertness were chosen as the committee in charge. Nils Pladson was the master carpenter who directed building operations in the summer of 1899. By October 28, 1899, the first unit which included only the main auditorium, steeple and entrance, had been put into use. The total cost, including the lots, was $1,539.02.
Zoar Congregation, from the very beginning, has affiliated with the Lutheran Free Church.
The pastors who have served Zoar Congregation are: Rev. O. J. Edwards, Rev. H. S. Quanbeck, Rev. H. J. Urdahl, Rev. W. M. Hagen, Rev. Elias Aas, Rev. J. M. Halvorson, Rev. P. G. Sonnack, Rev. H. P. Halvorson, Rev. Johannes Ringstad, Rev. G. Ronholm, Rev. Julius Hermunslie, Rev. Paul Blikstad, and Rev. G. N. Berntson, present pastor who came in 1958.
The Ladies Aid was organized in 1904 at the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Peder O. Pederson. The attendance at this meeting was not large and the proceeds only 75 cents. A small beginning but the attendance increased and the income accordingly. The Young People's Society was organized in 1909 electing Mary Syverson as the first president. This organization has continued to be active and is now known as the Luther League.
Info from - Hatton's heritage: a history of Hatton, North Dakota, 1884-1959; Transcribed by Fred Coleman
President Elling A. Aase
Secretary Ole A. Huus
Treasurer Halvor T. Bjertness
Trustees Hellick S. Dokken, and Erik Johnson
The following men were present at this organizational meeting and their names recorded in the minutes and thus became, with their families, the charter members of the congregation: Johannes Kamphaugh, Peder J. Kamphaugh, Ole A. Huus, Hellick S. Dokken, Elling A. Aase, Erik Johnson, Peder O. Pederson, and Halvor T. Bjertness.
At a meeting on December 19, 1898, the name, "Hatton Congregation," was adopted, but on July 20, 1903, the name was changed to: "Zoar Evangelical Lutheran Church." "Zoar" means place of refuge.
On March 13, 1899, the newly organized congregation decided to make plans for the building of a church. Erik Johnson, Peder J. Kamphaugh and Halvor T. Bjertness were chosen as the committee in charge. Nils Pladson was the master carpenter who directed building operations in the summer of 1899. By October 28, 1899, the first unit which included only the main auditorium, steeple and entrance, had been put into use. The total cost, including the lots, was $1,539.02.
Zoar Congregation, from the very beginning, has affiliated with the Lutheran Free Church.
The pastors who have served Zoar Congregation are: Rev. O. J. Edwards, Rev. H. S. Quanbeck, Rev. H. J. Urdahl, Rev. W. M. Hagen, Rev. Elias Aas, Rev. J. M. Halvorson, Rev. P. G. Sonnack, Rev. H. P. Halvorson, Rev. Johannes Ringstad, Rev. G. Ronholm, Rev. Julius Hermunslie, Rev. Paul Blikstad, and Rev. G. N. Berntson, present pastor who came in 1958.
The Ladies Aid was organized in 1904 at the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Peder O. Pederson. The attendance at this meeting was not large and the proceeds only 75 cents. A small beginning but the attendance increased and the income accordingly. The Young People's Society was organized in 1909 electing Mary Syverson as the first president. This organization has continued to be active and is now known as the Luther League.
Info from - Hatton's heritage: a history of Hatton, North Dakota, 1884-1959; Transcribed by Fred Coleman