Every church has a beginning—our story started in early 1872, with a group of hardy Norwegian settlers starting new lives. Faith was an integral part of the lives of the settlers, and many of the them were Lutherans. It was a natural step for them to create a Lutheran church where they could worship and raise their children in their faith.
The first two years the Lutherans worshipped in the Presbyterian church, generously offered for their use. The church grew quickly as the original thirteen families expanded and Norwegian immigration into the area continued. The first recorded meeting was April 3, 1874, though it is evident from this first record that there had been previous meetings. June 27, 1874, building plans and specifications were brought to local carpenters, bids were made and Peter Aphelan (spelled "Aflan" in the early record) won the contract. The land was donated by D R Bailey, and work began. The cornerstone was laid September 6, 1874.
The first two years the Lutherans worshipped in the Presbyterian church, generously offered for their use. The church grew quickly as the original thirteen families expanded and Norwegian immigration into the area continued. The first recorded meeting was April 3, 1874, though it is evident from this first record that there had been previous meetings. June 27, 1874, building plans and specifications were brought to local carpenters, bids were made and Peter Aphelan (spelled "Aflan" in the early record) won the contract. The land was donated by D R Bailey, and work began. The cornerstone was laid September 6, 1874.