(Source, centennial booklet: Faith Lutheran, Odebolt, Iowa, 1892-1992)
I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord - Psalms 122:1.2
The history of Faith Lutheran Church and the history of Odebolt are closely interwoven.
When in the spring of 1870, some of the first Swedish emigrants, A.P. Nelson, Lars Nelson, and P. G. Anderson, made their way to this area, they found God-given prairie lands, abundant with wild life, native flowers, age-old trees, winding streams and fertile, virgin soil. The roads were mere paths through the tall green grass, and there were no fences or bridges.
It was in 1871, when Hiram C. Wheeler purchased nine sections of land at $3.00 per acre from the Iowa R. R. Land Co., adjoining what is now Odebolt, that the surrounding country was becoming settled with an occasional sod homes.
In 1877, the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad built a line from Carroll to Onawa, later extending it to Sioux City. From then on, the town and surrounding territory were being settled by trainloads of eager, young people, coming from the eastern states and the "Old Country". Many of these newcomers were directly from Sweden, including Abraham Teaquist and wife, Jane and their children, Albert, Charlie, Anna and Nellie. Andrew Linden in 1880, Nels Paulson and brother in 1881. The C. A. Burnquist and C. J. Chinburg families came to Odebolt in 1882.
Converted to a free spiritual life in America, from the Lutheran State Church in Sweden, these brave pioneers wished to worship in the "faith of their fathers." So they banded together, according to their faiths and nationalities. At first, services were held in the homes and then in a hall in the south end of Odebolt.
Rev. A. P. Martin of Sioux City visited Odebolt as often as was possible in 1887.
Recorded in the May 10, 1888 issue of the Odebolt Chronicle is the following:
"More than one hundred Swedes have landed at the depot in the last two
months direct from the Old Country, and more are to follow. They make good
citizens, are honest, industrious and intelligent, and are quick to adopt
American customs and habits.
As the population grew, the homes were too small for these gatherings, and so in 1888, the Lutherans and Missions, who had worshipped together since 1880, built a church, which was to serve them all. However, misunderstanding arose, and Rev. A. M. Broleen preached only one sermon in the new church, and the church property became the property of the Swedish Mission people.
And so it was in 1890, that Rev. A. M. Broleen, found prospects good for organizing a Lutheran congregation in Odebolt.
Preceding the official organization of the congregation, the Swedish Lutheran people formed a society, which they called the Swedish Lutheran Church Society. At its first meeting on the 27th day of April, 1891, Rev. Broleen (then pastor of Bethel Lutheran at Kiron) was Chairman. C. J. Chinberg, Secretary, and C. A. Burnquist, Treasurer. A Church Building Committee was elected to draw plans and build a church. The following were members of this committee: Andrew Linden, A. P. Nelson, Lars Nelson, C. A. Burnquist, C. J. Chinberg.
Pastor Broleen took up the subscription, and when $1,000.00 had been subscribed, the lot at the corner of Second and Walnut Streets was purchased, and the building began. On October 16, 1891, the wooden building 40 x 28 feet was completed at a cost of $2,000.00.
That year, Odebolt was in the midst of one of the biggest building booms the locality has ever known. Architects were busy with plans and specifications and even though the population of the town was approximately 1500, every able-bodied citizen was at work, and workmen had to come in from other areas.
On November 27, 1891, the board met with Pastor Broleen again serving as Chairman. Church pews and pulpit were ordered at a cost of $222.60. It was decided to have Student J. A. Anderson come for Christmas services, agreeing to give him the offering on Christmas morning. It was further agreed to have a Christmas tree at the service on Christmas Day evening.
Services were held in the new church for the first time on Sunday evening, December 6. 1891 when Rev. Broleen preached on Genesis 44:14. "And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph's house; and he was yet there; and they fell before him on the ground."
The December 10, 1891, issue of the Odebolt Chronicle made this comment: "It is one of the coziest little churches in the state, with a seating capacity of 160. The interior furnishings are handsome and elegant; the seats are cushioned, and the room is well lighted."
On the 7th day of January 1892, the Congregation was officially organized with Pastor Broleen, Chairman, and Student J. Alfred Anderson, Secretary protem. The following persons gave their names as Charter Members: Gustaf Lindgren and wife, Andrew Linden and wife, C. A. Burnquist and wife, C. J. Chinburg and wife, Magn Malmberg and wife, Miss Adla Johnson, Lars Nelson, Widow Brita Burnquist, Peter Anderson and wife, A. P. Nelson and wife (parents of the late John Nelson), Mrs. Williams, Pete Nelson and wife, Mrs. Petronella Anderson, Miss Emma El Johnson, Miss HIlma Johnson, Miss Fora Johnson, Mrs. Lena Ottin, Victor Swensen and wife.
On March 8, 1892, the new congregation was incorporated under the name, Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Odebolt, Iowa.
Late in the year, October 5, 1892, the church was dedicated to the glory of God by Conference Pastor Joseph E. Erlander, assisted by the pastors of the Sioux City District (Odebolt was in the Sioux City District until 1909). This service was in the English language.
Within a very short time, possibly at the following service, other names were added to the membership: Huldeen, Lundberg, Lundberg, Carlson, Johnson, Salstrom and Hanson. Illness, bad weather or other hardships of that early day undoubtedly caused some of these people to miss the Charter service. In the following very early years, other pioneer names appeared in the membership: Samuelson, Engstrom, Huglin, Sundell, Peterson, Leonard, Lundgren, Pearson, Okerstrom, Dahlquist, Lindquist, Salmonson and Noyd. These people and their descendants, together with all the other fine people who have joined Faith Luterhan through the years, have built a Christian fellowship, whose influence has been far-reaching. Through their determination and good works, the power of the Holy Spirit has been at work from the beginning.
(Additional information from "As Time Goes By,
Odebolt, Iowa, 1877-1977",
printed by the Odebolt Chronicle, May, 1977, pages 129-130)
In 1912 the church was raised and put on a new foundation, the basement completed, and a furnace installed.
The first session of Sunday School was held on December 20, 1891 with 26 children and a Bible class. First confirmation class was on Sunday, August 28, 1892 with eight young people. Luther League was not organized until December 13, 1894. Ladies Aid Society was organized almost a year before the church itself, on January 14, 1891. Other orgnaizations have been Junior Mission Board, Women's Missionary Society, (and) married peoples groups and units.
In 1934 the addition to the west side was built, thus enlarging the auditorium and also provided the sacristy.
The church after the additions (click to enlarge)
In keeping with the action of our national Church, on December 12, 1962, a new name was decided on for the church. Faith Lutheran was chosen and filed at the Sac County Courthouse, Sac City, Iowa. The decision was made in 1962 to relocate and build a new church at Eight and Locusts Streets. Another important step was the direct result of the tragic fire which burned the Bethel Lutheran Church June 27, 1961. After due consideration, each church decided to become a separate Parish, effective March 15, 1963.
With mixed emotions the members of Faith Luthern entered the old building on March 15, 1964 for the Deconsecration Service. It was vacated by the Faith Lutheran Congregation. After the service a caravan went to the new premises for its first service at 11:00. It was dedicated to the Glory of God on April 19, 1964 by Dr. Raynold Lingwall with seating capacity of 280.
Faith Lutheran Church - Photo by Charles Hanson
708 Locust St
Odebolt, IA 51458
Phone: 712-668-4515
Two sons from this congregation became active ministers of the Gospel. Rev. Herbert Linden and Rev. Kenneth Engstrom.
Twelve pastors and twenty three others served the congregation from 1891 to date, 1976. A.M.Broleen, J. A. Benander, J.E. Jessup, J.A. Christenson, N.E. Glad, H.W. Lundberg, Anton Linder, Erland Borg, G.L.Dagner, H.N. Johnson, H. Lester Peterson, and Palmer Sellstrom. Others were J.A. Anderson, F. Telleen, C.W. Andeer, J. Mauritzsen and Sandeen, J.H. Ford, J.P. Regner, A.W. Edwins, Chas. T. Carlson, Oscar Purn, Joshua Oden, O. Oleen and A. Zedren, A. Hanson, J.A. Martin, Paul Melin, Norman Edberg and Carl Gustafson, R.V. Samuelson, John Leaf, Hiram Hogberg, and Lester Carlson.
Stained windows add much to our church, given by serveral families of the church in 1970. A large storage room was built on in 1976. There are 250 confirmed members and 350 baptized members in 1976.
- Mr. Earl Johnson, 1976
One of Faith Lutheran
Church's most cherished possessions is a beautiful painting depicting Christ in
prayer and supplication, on the eve of his Crucifixion. Removed from its
hallowed spot at the back of the altar in the old church, it now hangs on the
west wall of the narthex directly opposite the entrance to Faith Lutheran.
This sacred scene meets the eye of the worshipper immediately as he
enters. A perpetual light shines on the painting so that it can be seen
through the glass doors of the church day or night from the street. The
painting was completed and presented to the church in the fall of 1927 by Mrs.
John Nelson.
(Click the picture for a larger view)
Also see: John and Blanche Nelson and the "Stuga" - an old Swedish house
Faith Lutheran Database (transcribed by B. Horak)
From googlebooks: Den svensk-lutherska kyrken i Odebolt, Sac County (in Swedish; contains photos of some early Swedish people that organized the church.
Records held at Swenson Swedish Immigration Center at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL.