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NORWAY
LUTHERAN CHURCH HISTORY
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NORWAY
LUTHERAN CHURCH HISTORY
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NORWAY LUTHERAN CHURCH OF ENTERPRISE TOWNSHIP
ROBERTS COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
In commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Norway Lutheran
Church of Enterprise Township, we pause to give thanks to our
Creator for blessings that He has bestowed upon us. With His divine
guidance the pioneer men and women were given courage and
inspiration to work for a Christian Community in which to live.
This short history is written in order that our children may
have a record of the deeds of their parents, the hardships and
difficulties they encountered in a new settlement.
On April 15th, 1892, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Indian reservation
was opened for settlement. People came from far and near and filed
on 160 acres of land for the purpose of establishing homes for
themselves and families. They set to work building shanties of sod
or lumber and as soon as possible began breaking up the virgin soil.
Many of the pioneers who settled in Enterprise and adjoining
townships were of Norwegian descent or had recently come from across
the seas, from their homes in Norway. They were of the Lutheran
Faith and soon the subject of religious services was discussed. A
few services were held, whenever a visiting minister could be
obtained.
Theo. A. Gunnarson, an ordained minister, had taken a homestead
in Norway Township, when the reservation opened. Prior to that time
he had served his first congregation at Grobe, Spink County, South
Dakota, holding that charge for four years. Being the only minister
for miles around he soon took up the hard task of organizing
congregations. There was no money to build churches the first
years, therefore, he met with the people at their homes. Rev.
Gunnarson was called to this community to hold services.
The first recorded meeting was held on February 25th, 1894, at
the home of John Barsnes, now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Olson.
There were five meetings held before the congregation was organized.
Four of these were held in the town of Bossko, a little village
containing a few buildings consisting of a store or two, a post
office, and a blacksmith shop.
On the 5th day of July, 1894, a meeting was called in Bossko for
the purpose of organizing a congregation. Rev. Theo. A. Gunnarson
was chosen to act as Chairman and John Hanson as secretary. The
meeting opened with the singing of hymn No. 484, and a prayer by the
pastor. The following members decided unanimously to organize a
Lutheran congregation: Ole H. Lee, Elias Olson, Erik Groning, Bjorn
C. Berg, L. Apelquist, C. J. Westby, and John Hanson. A
constitution was proposed and read by Rev. Gunnarson, and adopted by
the members. They decided to call their congregation the "Norway
Evangelical Lutheran Church" and a letter of call was sent to Rev.
Theo. A. Gunnarson to serve as their pastor. The officers chosen at
this first meeting were: Secretary, John Hanson; Deacons, B. C.
Berg, C. J. Westby, Erick Froning; Trustees, Ole H. Lee, L.
Apelquist and B. C. Berg. A committee was appointed to find a
suitable place for a burial ground. It was further decided that the
yearly meetings should be held the first part of November of each
year.
At a later date on October 25th, 1894, another meeting was held.
At this time several new members, with their families, joined,
namely: Andrew Tweit, John Barsnes, Tom Olson, Peter O. Loe, Nels
Marken, J. C. Johnson, Rulof Hofstad, Olaf O. Moe, B. H. Benson, Ole
Thompson and Hans Aasen. At this meeting it was decided that the
cemetery should be located on the southwest corner of Peter Loe's
land, between Sections 8 and 17. The records show that there were
twelve meetings held in 1894. These were held in Bossco with the
exception of two, one at J. Barsnes and one at the home of Ole Lee.
The children baptized the first year of the congregation were
Theodore Torgerson, Mathilda Lee, Arthur Anderson, Della Van Winkle,
and Annie Johnson. The first confirmation class was held on July
5th, 1896, in Bossco. The confimants were Peter O. Moe, Alfred
Benson, and Karoline Olson. Mr. and Mrs. Peter O. Loe were the
first couple married in the year 1894.
Other new members came into the congregation: Chas. Olson and
family, Jacob Sundahl and family were added in 1896. Later on other
members joined, namely: Olaf Olson, C. O. Sonstegard, Hans
Krogstad, John Torgerson, and Anton Jacobson, with their families.
About this time the problem of religious teaching was brought up
at the yearly meetings and a committee was appointed each year to
arrange for a parochial school to be held during the summer for a
month or more. This was financed by the contributions from the
members and others who were interested in the school.
In the spring of 1897, a new school house was built in District
No. 2, Enterprise Township, usually referred to as the Sonstegard
School, the building being located on the Carl Sonstegard land.
Services were held in this school house from that year until the
church was built.
At a meeting on February 3rd, 1898, the constitution of the
United Church was adopted, also the by-laws. At this meeting it was
decided that a new place be found for a cemetery, and it was moved
to its present location on the Southeast corner of Section 5. This
land of two acres was donated by Charles Olson.
As the years went by there was much discussion about building a
church in the community. This was quite a momentous question as
money was still scarce, but the men and women felt the need of a
church in their midst.
On November 24th, 1900, a committee was appointed to take up a
subscription toward a building fund. The committee consisted of the
following members: H. O. Johnson, Olaf Olson, Hans Krogstand, Ole
Odegaard, and Bartineus Trelsdad. On a Sunday, the 17th day of
February, 1901, the members met at the cemetery grounds to select a
location for the church building. At a previous meeting held
February 11th, 1901, a building committee had been appointed. They
were Jacob Sundahl, Nils Iverson and H. O. Johnson. The dimensions
of the church was to be 28 x 40, and 14 feet high, with belfry and
steeple. However, there was some discussion about the size of the
building, but eventually the first decision prevailed.
Stone was hauled and the foundation constructed in 1902. The
church was built in the spring of 1903, the contract being let to
Andrew Beito of Effington. We have no written record of the first
services held in the new church, but from hearsay we understand that
the first services were held on May 3rd, 1903. The church stands on
a beautiful location: on the crest of a hill that slopes gently to
the south and west, overlooking a valley that extends to the Coteau
Hills. The structure with its steeple may be seen from miles away,
ever as a symbol of peace and good-will to all mankind.
Improvements were made on the inside of the church in the next
few years. In 1908 an organ was installed. Mr. Chas. Olson was the
first organist and served as such for fifteen years. Miss Laura
Krogstad was organist for two years and Miss Elvera Olson and Miss
Hazel Peterson each four years consecutively.
In 1910 a bell was purchased. On a calm Sunday morning,
September 2nd of that year, the stillness of the air was broken by
the peals of the bell in the church. Mr. Hans Krogstad had the
honor of ringing the bell the first time.
In July, 1910, the corner stone of the church was laid, with
impressive ceremonies. Many people came from far and near for that
occassion. During the years 1913-14 pews were bought, also other
furnishings for the church were installed. Mr. Knudt Sanderson did
much of the skilled work. He made the Altar Ring and presented the
church with the Pulpit, which was made and carved by his own hands,
and given as a surprise to the congregation. Mr. Sanderson was also
the precentor (Klokker) and served in that capacity from 1906 until
about 1920.
A Ladies Aid was organized about the year 1896. Their records
show that they have been a substantial mainstay to the congregation.
A W. P. Society was organized in 1913. This Society was very
active and helped in many ways to build up the church. They had a
good choir, with Mr. Chas. Olson as their leader. Many enjoyable
programs were given by them, and it was an inspriation to both young
and old.
Plans were made to dedicate the church as it was now quite
complete. The dedication services were held November 12th, 1916.
Rev. Aasgaard who was Professor of Concordia College in Moorhead,
Minnesota, at the time, conducted the services. Many people were in
attendance at this occassion.
Many years had now passed by. Many changes had taken place.
Roads were being built and automobiles were used as a means of
travel. The English language had come more into use, and it became
evident that the services should be in the English Language, at
least part of the time. Rev. Gunnarson saw the need of this change.
On June 20th, 1920, he gave his farewell sermon, after serving this
congregation for more than twenty-six years. For many years he
served in the capcity of circuit president. Rev. Gunnarson was a
man of more than ordinary health and strength, but having endured
many stormy days and cold nights on the road, in open rigs, his
health was not as good as formerly. He passed away on the 5th day
of May, 1930, at the age of seventy-four years. His work as a
minister and a man will go down in memory for many years to come.
In 1920 the trustees of this church were instructed to consult
with Rev. O. G. Austin of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Sisseton,
in regards to taking charge of Norway Congregation in addition to
his work at Sisseton. A call was then extended to him and he took
charge immediately. Rev. Austin did much to strengthen the
congregation. Many new members were taken into the church during
the two years that he was pastor here. Rev. Austin resigned on May
22nd, 1922. It then became necessary for the two congregations to
call a new minister.
A letter of call was sent to Rev. L. E. Evans of LaCrosse,
Wisconsin. He has now been pastor of the congregation for many
years. Rev. and Mrs. Evans are well liked by everyone. Rev. Evans
has charge of three congregations. Besides this congregation, he is
the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church of Sisseton, South Dakota, and
the Lutheran Church of Claire City, South Dakota. There have been
in this Norway Lutheran Church of Enterprise Township 211 baptized,
110 confirmed, and 25 couples married. There have been 135 enrolled
as members in the congregation.
The present officers of the congregation are as follows:
Secretary, Elmer Krogstad; Treasuer, Anton Jacobson; Deacons: P. E.
Larson, Knudt Sunderson, and Oscar Loe; Trustees: Chas Olson, Chris
Peterson, and John Farmen.
Forty years have passed since the first charter members
organized this congregation. We pay tribute to them, and to the men
and women who so closely followed. Their work was really the harder
task, that of perpetuating and keeping alive the good work that was
begun. We thank our Heavenly Father for this precious heritage.
40th Anniversary
Sept. 30, 1934
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