Barron County, Wisconsin - Chapter 28: The Norwegian Lutheran Church in Barron County, 1922

Rev. A. Johnson of Eau Claire, and Rev. C. J. Helsem of Running Valley, Wis., were probably the first Lutheran pastors who vis¬ ited Barron County.

Early in the autumn of 1869 these gen¬ tlemen made a trip through Barron County, finding a few settlers around Lake Chetek and Sumner. Leaving these small settle¬ ments they went north through the forest still finding settlers along the route; but toward evening they came to a place north¬ east of Dobie where they found no houses. However, they found a little hay meadow and a hay stack where they slept during the night. The next day they went west through the timber, at last reaching a settlement called Lakeland, where they also held services. From Lakeland they went south through the woods to Prairie Farm where they also found settlers and held services. From there they went to Menomonte. This completed their first Journey through the county. The trip took them a whole week.

During the year 1870, Rev. Helsem made many visits to the settlements east and west of Chetek, on Pokegema Prairie, and at Lakeland, Rice Lake being then only a logging camp. On these visits Rev. Hel¬ sem gathered the people on week days for religious services, baptized their children and cared for the sick. The settlers would often come from 10 to 15 miles to attend these services.

Faaberg Norwegian Lutheran Congrega¬ tion on Pokegema Prairie in the town of Stanley, was organized on Sept. 17, 1871, by Rev. C. .T. Helsem. The congregation then numbered 55 communicant members. Officers: The Pastor, president, ex-officio; Ole Smestad, secretary; Hands Lunde, treasurer; Lars Holme and Hans Amund¬ son, deacons; Fredrlk Lunde and Bore Bratstigen, trustees. In 1880, the member¬ ship was 175. But in 1883, those members who resided on the west side of Prairie Lake withdrew from Faaberg and Joined the Chetek congregation, and in 1908 those members who resided In and around Cam¬ eron withdrew and organized the Cameron Lutheran Congregation. The present mem¬ bership is only 90. In 1872 the congrega¬ tion bought two acres at the southwest corner of the southwest of the south¬ west of Section 26, Township 36, Range 11, and platted it for a ceme¬ tery. In 1890 a church was built on the southeast of the southwest of Sec¬ tion 23. in the same township. Pas¬ tors: Rev. C. J. Helsem from 1871 to 1878, Rev. H. Z. Hvld from 1878 to 1881, no pas¬ tor from 1881 to 1883, Rev. J. E. Nord from 1883 to 1889, Rev. A. J. Orke from 1889 to 1896, Rev. H. Lund from 1896 to 1904; Rev.

Lolland Scandinavian Evangelical Luth¬ eran Congregation, four miles northeast of the village of Chetek, in the town of Che¬ tek, was organized by Rev. C. J. Helsem on July 7, 1872, with a mem¬ dent ex-officio; trustees, Paul Johnsen, Nils Jensen and Nils Olson; deacons. Ole Olson, Mads Jakobsen and Sivert Solum; secre¬ tary, Lars Johnson; treasurer, Kristian Black. The cemetery in Section 22 was dedicated in 1872. Pastors: Rev. C. J. Hel¬ sem from 1872 to 1878, Rev. H. Z. Hvid from 1878 to 1881. The pulpit was then va¬ cant from 1881 until 1883 when the mem¬ bers of this congregation with some mem¬ bers of Zion and Faaberg congregations or¬ ganized the Scandinavian Evangelical Luth¬ eran Congregation at Chetek. At the time of the union this congregation had 67 mem¬ bers.

Solum Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation at Prairie Farm was organ¬ ized by Rev. K. Thorstenson on Aug. 29, 1872, with a membership of 37 in all. Offi¬ cers: Rev. K. Thorstenson, president, exofficio; secretary, Peder Pederson Holdalen; treasurer, Christian S. Johnson; dea¬ cons, Johannes Anderson and Joe Johnson Haugen; trustees, Peder Olson Krogen, Nils Eggen, Lars H. Kanshagen; precentor, Peder Pederson. The cemetery was started in 1872 in Sections 17 and 30; the first par¬ sonage was built in 1880, the church in 1894, and the second parsonage in 1914. Pastors: Rev. K. Thorstensen from 1872 to 1874, Rev. L F. Haakonson from 1874 to 1878, Rev.

Aker Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation at Prairie Farm was organ¬ ized by Rev. C. J. Helsem on the 9th day of November, 1872 (after preaching there oc¬ casionally since 1870) with a membership of 73. Officers: President, Lars Selvlg; secretary, Anders O. Flaa; treasurer, Lars

Selvig; deacons, Martin Johnson, Ole Kastvig, Johan Iverson; trustees, Ole Lokken, Ole Hobmen, Ole Martell. The cemetery is in the northeast corner of the northeast of the northeast of Section 30, Township 32, Range 13 west. The church was erected in 1887 and the parsonage in 1901. The present membership is 660. Pastors: Rev. C. J. Helsem from 1870 to 1874, Rev. G. Hoyme from 1874 to 1876, Rev. L. Lund from 1876 to 1878, Rev. H. Z. Hvid from 1878 to 1881, Rev. J. E. Nord from 1883 to 1893, Rev. J. A. Urnes from 1893 to 1901, Rev. J.

The Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Rice Lake was organized on July 29, 1875, with a membership of 15 communicants. The church was erected in 1882 and the cemetery at the northwest corner of the southeast of the northwest of Section 16, Township 35, Range 11, was plotted and dedicated in 1884. In 1901 a building was bought for a schoolhouse. Officers: Rev.

C. J. Helsen, president, ex-officio; secre¬ tary, Ole O. Lokken; treasurer, Anders A. Aune; deacons, Halvor O. Sather, Christian Erikson; trustees, Sven Wangsgrav, George Anderson and Ole O. Lokken; precentor. Ole O. Lokken. In 1916 this congregation had 360 members. The officers at that time were: Rev. J. E. Nord, president ex-officio; secretary, E. L. Lockness; treasurer, Louis Lockness; deacons. Reodor Lee, Peder Aas, N. L. Nilson; trustees, Otto Schesvold, Iver Amundson, Ole Flanum, Ole Johnson, Iver Johnson, Carl Hagen; precentor, Otto Schesvold. Pastors: Rev. C. J. Helsem from 1876 to 1878, Rev. H. Z. Hvid from 1878 to 1881, Rev. J. E. Nord from 1883 to 1916, Rev. O. M. Kleven from 1916 to 1918, when this congregation was united with Our Savior's Congregation and formed the Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Congrega¬ tion of Rice Lake.

Otterholt Norwegian Evangelical Luth¬ eran Congregation, four miles west of Che¬ tek, was organized on Jan. 26, 1875, by Rev. C. J. Helsem, with a membership of 30 communicants. Officers: Rev. C. J. Hel¬ sem, president ex-officio; secretary, Lars J. Dyreland; treasurer, Lars O. Brekke; deacons: Ole Otterholt, Andreas Nilson, Auine Mortenson; trustees: Lars Otterholt, Ole Johnson Otterholt, Erik Brynhildson; precentor, Lars Dyreland. In 1879 the name was changed to Zion Norwegian Evangeli¬ cal Lutheran Congregation, and in 1883 this congregation joined the Scandinavian Evan¬ gelical Lutheran congregation of Chetek, having then 68 members. Pastors: Rev. C. J. Helsem from 1875 to 1878, Rev. H. Z. Hold from 1878 to 1881. This congregation had a cemetery in the southeast corner of the southeast of the northeast of Section 28, Township 33, Range 11.

The New Scandinavian Evangelical Luth¬ eran Congregation in the town of Maple Grove was organized by Rev. H. F. Haak¬ onson on May 11, 1875, with a membership of 160. Officers: Tron Vintroen, president; secretary, Martin Gjelstad; trustees, Tron

Vintroen; Lara Johnson, Knud Hanson Syverud. The congregation has a ceme¬ tery nod a church lot In the southeast cor¬ ner of the southeast of the northwest of Section 36, Township 33, Range 12. The church was built in 1881, the parsonage in Dallas in 1903. The present membership is 400. Pastors: Rev. H. F. Haakonson from 1875 to 1878, Rer. J. Waage from 1878 to 1883, Rev. K. L. Guttebo from 1883 to 1887, Rev. C. J. Helsem from 1887 to 1889, Rev. A. J. Orke from 1889 to 1895, Rev. H. Lund from 1895 to 1913, Rev. O. L. Kirkeberg from 1913 to 1919, Rev. A. O. Run¬ ning the present pastor from 1919.

Lakeland Norwegian Evangelical Luther¬ an Congregation In the town of Cumberland was organized by Rev. C. J. Helsem on Sept. 12, 1876, the congregation consisting of four families, namely: Andrew Skaar, Ole Skaar, L. L. Gunderson and Ole Reltan. Pastors: Rev. C. J. Helsem from 1876 to 1878, Rev. H. Z. Hold from 1878 to 1881. There were 68 members in 1882. In 1882 -this congregation was reorganized and named East Cumberland Norwegian Danish Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, the story of which appears in this chapter.

Poskln Lake Norwegian Evangelical Luth¬ eran Congregation was organized in 1876 by Rev. H. F. Haakonson. Officers: Presi¬ dent, A. Breda; secretary, Christian Han¬ sen; treasurer, - ; trustees, John

Cedar Lake Norwegian Evangelical Luth¬ eran Congregation at Campia was organized on May 9. 1878, by Rev. H. F. Haakonson, with 27 members. Officers: K. Fadnes, president; Harold Haakonson, secretary; Ole Dale, treasurer; Ole Anderson, Ole J. Olson and Th. Olson, trustees. The ceme¬ tery in the northwest corner of Section 8, Township 35, Range 10, was dedicated in 1878, and the church in the southwest cor¬ ner of Section 6, same township, was built In 1897. The name of this congregation was changed in 1920 to be: Our Savior Nor¬ wegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Cedar Lake. Pastors: Rev. H. F. Haak¬ onson, from 1878 to 1879, Rev. J. Waage from 1879 to 1883, Rev. K. C. Foss, from 1894 to 1895, Rev. I. J. Kvam from 1895 to 1911, Rev. J. Skagen from 1911 to 1914, Rev. P. F. Kjorlang from 1915 to 1917, Rev. O. M. Eleven from 1918 to 1921, and Rev. Theo.

Dovre Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized in 1882 by Rev. N. E. Wikre with 88 members. In the same year Chris¬ tian Lundgaard donated a tract of land con¬ sisting of two acres in the northwest of the southeast of Section 20, Township 32, Range 10, for cemetery and church lot. The ceme¬ tery was dedicated in 1882 and the church was built the same year. Officers: Martin Carlson, president; Christian Lundgaard. secretary; John C. Hole, treasurer; Arne Jorstad, Peder Christensen and Christian Presrud deacons; Micarl Presold, Ole Martinson and Ole Skabo, trustees; precen¬ tor, Ole Skabo. Pastors: Rev. N. E. Wikre from 1882 to 1892, Rev. A. J. Orke from 1892 to 1895, Rev. Helmer Lund from 1896 to 1905, Rev. Olav Refsdal from 1905 to 1914, and Rev. Helmer Lund, the present pastor, from 1914. In 1894 this congregation built a parsonage at Chetek together with the Chetek Lutheran congregation. The present membership is 276.

East Cumberland Norwegian Danish Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. With the former members of Lakeland congre¬ gation and others the East Cumberland Congregation was organized in 1882 by Rev. N. B. Olson with a membership of 230. Officers: Rev. N. B. Olson, president, exofficio; secretary, Hans Amble; treasurer, Lars BenBon; deacons, O. C. Lovaas, Hans Almaas, L. L. Gunderson; trustees, O. A. Reitan, Fredrik FinBaas, Andreas Geisnos; precentor. Ole Geisnos. A tract of land of five acres in the southwest corner of Sec- 2, Township 36, Range 13, was secured for cemetery and church lot and a church built thereon in 1883. Pastors: Rev. N. B. Olson from 1882 to 1891, Rev. A. J. Logeland from 1881 to 1906, Rev. H. Ostgulen from 1907 to 1912, Rev. Carl Amundson from 1912 to 1921, Rev. E. Christianson, the present pastor from 1921.

cnetek Scandinavian Evangelical Luthereron Congregation was organized Jan. 26, 1883, by Rev. J. E. Nord, with a member¬ ship of 154. This was a union of Lolland and Zion Congregations with some members of Faaberg Congregation. Officers: Rev. J. E. Nord, president, ex-officio; secretary! Andreas Fossum; treasurer, Peder 8wansby; deacons, David Joelson, Nils Jensen, Christian Black; trustees, Gulik Olson, Paul Johnson, Lars Otterholt; precentor, David Joelson. Two lots were secured and the church was built in 1884 in the village of Chetek. The congregation has a ceme¬ tery in the southwest corner of the south¬ west of the southeast of Section 11, Town¬ ship 33, Range 11. and another in Section 22, town of Chetek. The parsonage was built in 1894. Pastors: Rev. J. E. Nord from 1883 to 1889, Rev. A. J. Orke from 1889 to 1895, Rev. H. Lund from 1895 to 1904, Rev. Olav Refsdal from 1905 to 1914, ?®v- H. Lund, the present pastor, from 1914. The present membership is 200 Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Congre¬ gation (originally Clinton Norwegian Evan¬ gelical Lutheran Congregation) was or- ganized by Rev. J. Waage in 1883, with a membership of 76. In 1890 the constitution was changed and a part of the members seceded. Officers in 1890: Rev. J. E. Nord, president, ex-officio; secretary. Ole John¬ son; treasurer, Hans Ness; deacons, Even Larson, John Solberg; trustees, Ole John¬ son, John Solberg, Jan Aker; precentor and teacher, Ole Nygaard. The church in the southwest corner of Section 20, Town¬ ship 33, Range 13, was built in 1892. The parsonage owned together with Aker con¬ gregation, was built in 1901. The present membership is 260. Pastors: Rev. J. Waage, from 1883 to 1884, Rev. K. L. Guttebo, 1884 to 1890, Rev. J. E. Nord from 1890 to 1893, Rev. J. A. UrneB from 1893 to 1901; Rev. J. B. Reinertson from 1901 to 1904, Rev. H. Thoreson from 1904 to 1913, Rev. O. H. Lund, the present pastor, from 1913.

The Original Concordia Norwegian Evan¬ gelical Lutheran Congregation was orig¬ inally the Clinton Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation which was organ¬ ized in 1883, by Rev. J. Waage, with a mem¬ bership of 75. Officers: Johan Sorum, sec¬ retary; John Aker, treasurer; Solon Ostgaard and Christ Hanson, deacons; trus¬ tees, Hans Anderson, Even Larsen, Ole Johnson; precentor. Ole Nygaard. After the change of constitution, in 1890, the se¬ ceding members organized the Original Concordia Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. The present membership is 150. The church was completed in 1910 and the parsonage was built together with So¬ lum congregation in 1914. Officers in 1916: Secretary, Peter Sorum; treasurer, P. Moen; deacons, Frank Backer, Martin Anderson; trustees, Hans Wold, Ole Dillan, John A. Moen. Pastors: Rev. J. Waage, from 1883 to 1884, Rev. K. L. Guttebo from 1884 to 1890, Rev. N. L. Blomholm from 1890 to 1892, Rev. S. Svennungson from 1892 to 1895, Rev. P. A. Widvey from 1895 to 1910, Rev. N. L. Blomholm from 1910 to 1914. Rev. H. S. Rue, the present pastor, from 1915.

Comstock Evangelical Lutheran Congre¬ gation was organized in 1883 by Rev. N. B. Olson, with a membership of 45. Officers in 1883: President, Rev. N. B. Olson, exofficio; secretary, A. Moen; treasurer, An¬ ders Svenby; deacons, Jacob Nyhus, E. Neby, T. Jackson; trustees, John Rosten, Charles Peterson, A. Moen; precentor, John Rosten. This congregation has a cemetery in the southwest corner of the southeast of the southeast of Section 31, Township 36, Range 13, and the church in the north¬ east corner of the northeast of the north¬ west of Section 6, Township 34, Range 13, was built in 1892. Pastors: Rev. N. B. Olson from 1882 to 1891, Rev. A. J. Logeland from 1891 to 1896, Rev. H. Ostgulen from 1907 to 1912, Rev. Carl Amundson from 1912 to 1921, Rev. E. Christianson, the present pastor, from 1921.

Wikre held services there in 1882 and Rev. J. Waage in 1883. The First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Bar¬ ron was organized March 29, 1884, by Rev. T. O. Juve, with 45 members. Officers: Rev. T. O. Juve, president, ex-officio; sec¬ retary, Henry Olson; treasurer, Mr. Juve; trustees, A. Breda, John Thompson and Olaus Borgen; precentor and teacher, Chris¬ tian Larson. The cemetery in the south¬ east corner of the northeast of the northeast of Section 30, Township 34, Range 12, was dedicated in 1884. The first church was built in 1893 an4 ruined by storm in 1899. The second church was built in 1900 and consumed by fire in 1922. StepB have been taken for the erection of a new church in the near future. A parsonage was bought in 1913, but sold in 1920. Pastors: Rev. T. O. Juve from 1884 to 1888, Rev. J. E. Nord from 1888 to 1890, Rev. J. A. Orke from 1890 to 1893, Rev. J. A. UrneB from 1893 to 1900, Rev. J. B. Reinertson from 1900 to 1903, Rev. H. Lund from 1903 to 1912, Rev.

Cumberland Evangelical Lutheran Congre¬ gation was organized in 1886 by Rev. N. B. Olson with a membership of 38. Officers: President, Rev. N. B. Olson, ex-officio; sec¬ retary. Hans Amble; treasurer, Lars Ben¬ son; deacons, O. C. Lovaas, Hans Almos, L. L. Gunderson; trustees, O. A. Reitan, Fred Finson, Andrew Gusness; precentor. Ole Gusness; Sunday school superintendent,

O. C. Lovaas. The church was built in 1886 and the parsonage in 1896. The church and parsonage are located at the City of Cumberland. Pastors: Rev. N. B. Olson from 1886 to 1891, Rev. A. J. Logeland from 1891 to 1906, Rev. H. Ostgulen from 1907 to 1912, Rev. Carl Amundson from 1912 to 1920, Rev. E. Christianson from 1920, the present pastor.

Dallas Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized on Oct. 8, 1892, by Rev. A. J. Orke with a membership of 70. Officers: President, Ole O. Berg; secre¬ tary, H. E. Halvorson; treasurer, Harry Halvorson; deacons, Gunder Lee, Even Erlkson, Ed Gilstad; trustees. Knud Eepeseth, J. G. Johnson, Lars Larson; precentor, Iver Moe. The church was built in 1893 and the parsonage in 1903. The present membership is 400. Pastors: Rev. A J. Orke from 1892 to 1895, Rev. Helmer Lund from 1895 to 1913, Rev. O. L. Kirkeberg from 1913 to 1919, Rev. A. O. Running, the present pastor, from 1919.

Our Savior Norwegian Evangelical Luth¬ eran Congregation of Rice Lake was organ¬ ized on Nov. 6, 1893, by Rev. J. W. Preus, with a membership of 64. Officers: Presi¬ dent, Christian Overby; secretary, Andrew Hang; treasurer, Christian Overby; trustees, Christian Overby, Andrew Hang, Martin Kobbervik; precentor, Andrew Hang. The congregation bought a church building in 1896. Pastors: K. C. Foss from 1883 to 1885, Rev. I. J. Kvam from 1885 to 1911, Rev. J. A. M. Skagen from 1911 to 1914. Rev. P. E. Kjorlaug from 1915 to 1917. In

1918 this congregation joined with the Evan¬ gelical Lutheran congregation of Rice Lake and formed the Bethany Evangelical Luth¬ eran Congregation of Rice Lake, Wis. It had then 150 members.

Stanfold Scandinavian Evangelical Luth¬ eran Congregation was organized on Dec. 19, 1902, by Rev. J. E Nord, with a mem¬ bership of 62. Officers: President, J. E. Nord, ex-officio; secretary, Jim Hansen; treasurer. Ole P. Olsen; deacons, Joseph Tverberg, Martin Larsen, Henry Nilsen; trustees, Ludvig Eliasson, Hans Jensen, Ja¬ kob Johnson; precentor, Sgur Rolland. A tract of 2 acres of land was procured in the northeast corner of the northwest of the northeast of Section 22, Township 35, Range 12. for cemetery and church lot, and a church built thereon in 1907. The present membership is 160. Pastors: Rev. J. E. Nord from 1902 to 1916, Rev. O. M. Kleven from 1916 to 1921, Rev. Theo. Kleppe, the present pastor, from 1921.

Cameron Evangelical Lutheran Congrega¬ tion was organized Dec. 10, 1908, by Rev. Olav Refsdal, with a membership of 40 of which number a majority had been members of Faaberg congregation since 1871. Cam¬ eron had been a mission station since 1884, Rev. J. E. Nord, Rev. A. J. Orke and Rev. Helmer Lund having held services there occasionally. Officers: President, Rev. Olav Refsdal, ex-officio; secretary, O. Mauseth; treasurer, Ole Roe; deacon, E O. Wang; trustees, M. Fredrlkson, Gilbert Lewis, L. O. Gilbertson. The congregation secured a lot and built the church in 1909. The pres¬ ent membership is 175. Pastors: Rev. Olav Refsdal from 1908 to 1914, Rev. N. B. TJrsin from 1914 to 1919, Rev. E. B. Swenson, the present pastor, from 1920.

Haugen Evangelical Lutheran Congrega¬ tion was organized on Sept. 12, 1917, by Rev. J. E. Nord, with a membership of 25. Haugen had been a mission station for sev¬ eral years. Rev. Nord and Rev. Ritland having held services there. Officers: Presi¬ dent, Rev. J. E. Nord, ex-officio; secretary, A. J. Olson; treasurer. Eld. Berschneider; trustees, Fred Nelson, Christ Phillipsen and Ed. Berschneider. The church was built in 1916. Pastors: Rev. J. EL Nord, Rev. J. Ritland, Rev. A. O. Running and Rev. C. M. Paulson, the present pastor.

Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Congrega¬ tion, Rice Lake, was organized on Dec. 17, 1918, by Rev. J. E. Nord. This was a union of the Evangelical Lutheran Congre¬ gation of Rice Lake, organized in 1875, and Our Savior Norwegian Evangelical Luth¬ eran Congregation of Rice Lake, oganlzed in 1893. A committee previously elected had prepared the articles of agreement, which were accepted and by the acceptance of a constitution and the election of officers the consolidated body was organized. Ac¬ cording to the articles of agreement Rev. Kleven should be the pastor of the congre¬ gation temporarily. Officers: President, Rev. O. M. Kleven, ex-officio; secretary, Carl Haaland; treasurer, Louis Lockness; trustees, A. O. ISrstad, Carl Pederson, Haldor Anderson, Andrew Gregerson, Olaf Stokker, Axel Borgens; deacons: Hans Evenson, Iver Amundson, L. M. Engesoter, Christian Pederson, Ole Oien, Hans Hagen. The membership at the time of the union: Our Savior, 150, and the Evangelical Luth¬ eran, 350, was 600. The present member¬ ship is 600. Pastors: Rev. O. M. Kleven from 1918 to 1921, Rev. B. M. Branford from 1922, the present pastor.