Maine Township (part 2 of 2)

Swedish Baptist Church

With the coming to any community of foreign born people, arises a desire for religious homes conducted by pastors from the land from whence the strangers hail, and Morris is no exception to this rule. The Swedish Baptist Church is the place of worship for the Baptists here of Swedish extraction. It began in revival meetings held under the leadership of Rev. A. P. Hanson, Rev. E. Sandell and Miss Anna R. Nelson, in the summer of 18*3. Seven were baptized as a result of these meetings and joined the local American Baptist Church, no Swedish Church then existing at Morris. These seven were: Amanda Peterson, A. W. Carlson. Alfred Carlson, Ida, Mary and Viola Johnson. and John Johnson. The church was organized in the summer of 1SS7 and meetings were held in the Normal school building at the corner of Franklin and Jackson streets. The Rev. A. P. Hanson was the first pastor and he organized the Sunday school that same year. From 1SS8 to INS!). S. J. Peterson served the church as pastor, and was succeeded by Oust Johnson in the latter year,- and he, in 1S90, by Eaurity Hanson, who was pastor until 1892. and during his pastorate, the present church was erected.

on the corner of Division and North streets. During 1S02 and 1803, Rev. .1. M. Sellenvold was pastor, to be succeeded by Anton Nelson. who served until 1S'.)7. During this period sixteen members were added, making the congregation .forty-eight, and the Young People's Society was organized. During the period between 1S97 and 1901, Rev. J. D. Nylin was pastor, and the choir was organized. Mr. Nylin was succeeded by Rev. J. O. Baeklund and under him the church prospered spiritually and materially, the total membership being sixtysix. In 1004, Rev. John Under became pastor, and during the two years he had charge the pipe organ was installed. Rev. V. E. Peterson followed, and remained until 190S, and the church was remodeled. About this time a number of the members moved to other parts o!' the state, and the membership decreased until it now numbers thirty-two. The pulpit is supplied with students from the Theological Seminary at Morgan Park, HI.