Records of the Norwegian Synod, 1853-1917 | Luther College Archives

By Adam Frei

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Collection Overview

Title: Records of the Norwegian Synod, 1853-1917

ID: LCA/RG13/Series 1

Primary Creator: Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod (U.S.)

Extent: 28.11 Linear Feet. More info below.

Arrangement:

This series is arranged into 14 sub-series:

1) Governance Records (1850-1917)

2) Financial Records (1859-1902)

3) Correspondence (1849-1896)

4) Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meetings (1863-1917)

5) Conference Records (1864-1917)

6) District Meeting Records (1874-1890)

7) Institutional Records (1866-1912)

8) Special Events (1903-1998)

9) Publications (1877-1943)

10) Pastor's Papers (1863-1918)

11) Congregational Records (1849-1947)

12) Missions (1880-1881)

13) Photographs (1878-1910)

14) Lutheran Women's Caucus (1981-1983)

Subjects: Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, Norwegian Synod

Languages: Norwegian, English

Abstract

A series of materials relating to the Norwegian Lutheran Synod.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This series contains the Records of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod and its founding congregations, which later became a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Materials include correspondence, meeting records, reports, church histories, and scrapbooks dating 1849-1998.

Collection Historical Note

The Norwegian Lutheran Synod was organized October 3-7, 1853. This synod organized 18,000 Norwegian immigrants who had immigrated to southeastern Wisconsin since 1825. Pastor A. C. Preus was elected as the first synod president. The synod was founded with the purpose of encouraging the growth of sound, orthodox Lutheranism in America.

The Norwegian Synod grew rapidly after the American Civil War, when Norwegian immigration increasd. In 1903, the synod had 280 pastors serving 900 congregations with 140,000 members. The synod established Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, in 1861. In 1876, it opened a seminary in Madison, Wisconsin.

In 1917, 338 of the 351 synod pastors withdrew to merge with two other Norwegian synods and form the Norwegian Lutheran Church in America. The thirteen remaining pastors reorganized as the Norwegian Synod of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor B. Harstad served as the first president.

In 1958, the synod changed its name to the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, as a result of many congregations losing their Norwegian character. The Evangelical Lutheran Synod has been involved in missionary work around the United States and around the world.

Subject/Index Terms

Norwegian Lutheran Church of America
Norwegian Synod

Administrative Information

Repository: Luther College Archives

Alternate Extent Statement: 46 boxes and 10 books

Access Restrictions: All materials are available for research.

Use Restrictions: Though we may hold the property rights, Luther College Archives does not hold the copyrights for all materials. Individuals may use materials for non-commercial, private use, but commercial users must secure permissions from the copyright holders and/or Luther College Archives to reproduce, publish, or quote protected materials and photographs. For more information about the Luther College Library and Information Services copyright and fair use policy, please visit http://lis.luther.edu/about/policies/copyright.

Technical Access Note: Some materials in this collection require the use of a microfilm reader.

Preferred Citation:

Cite unpublished materials: Records of the Norwegian Synod, RG13 Norwegian Synod and Founding Congregations, Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa

Cite published materials as required by your chosen citation style (Chicago, MLA, APA, etc.).

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Sub-Series:

[Sub-Series 1: Governance, 1850-1917],
[Sub-Series 2: Financial Records, 1859-1902],
[Sub-Series 3: Correspondence, 1849-1896],
[Sub-Series 4: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meetings, 1863-1917],
[Sub-Series 5: Conference Records, 1863-1868],
[Sub-Series 6: District Meeting Records, 1874-1890],
[Sub-Series 7: Institutional Records, 1866-1912],
[Sub-Series 8: Special Events, 1903-1998],
[Sub-Series 9: Publications, 1877-1953],
[Sub-Series 10: Pastors' Papers, 1863-1918],
[Sub-Series 11: Congregation Records, 1850-1982],
[Sub-Series 12: Missions, 1880-1881],
[Sub-Series 13: Photographs, 1867-1910],
[Sub-Series 14: Lutheran Women's Caucus, The Well Woman, 1981-1983],
[All]

Sub-Series 3: Correspondence, 1849-1896

Box 1: General Correspondence, 1855-1886

Folder 1: General Correspondence, 1886: Includes 90:227 and 90:228
Folder 2: General Correspondence, 1885: Includes 90:225
Folder 3: General Correspondence, 1884: Includes 90:224
Folder 4: General Correspondence, 1883: Includes 90:223
Folder 5: General Correspondence, 1882: Includes 90:314
Folder 6: General Correspondence, October-December 1880: Includes 90:221
Folder 7: General Correspondence, May-September 1880: Includes 90:219 and 90:220
Folder 8: General Correspondence, January-April 1880: Includes 90:217, 90:218
Folder 9: General Correspondence, November-December 1879: Includes 90:216
Folder 10: General Correspondence, September-October 1879: Includes 90:215
Folder 11: General Correspondence, July-August 1879: Includes 90:214
Folder 12: General Correspondence, March-June 1879: Includes 90:212 and 90:213
Folder 13: General Correspondence, January-Febraury 1879: Includes 90:211
Folder 14: General Correspondence, December 1878: Includes 90:210
Folder 15: General Correspondence, October-November 1878: Includes 90:209
Folder 16: General Correspondence, August-September 1878: Includes 90:207 and 90:208
Folder 17: General Correspondence, July 1878: Includes 90:205 and 90:206
Folder 18: General Correspondence, May-June 1878: Includes 90:203 and 90:204
Folder 19: General Correspondence, March-April 1878: Includes 90:201 and 90:202
Folder 20: General Correspondence, January-Febraury 1878: Includes 90:200
Folder 21: General Correspondence, 1877: Includes 90:199
Folder 22: General Correspondence, 1876: Includes 90:198
Folder 23: General Correspondence, 1875: Includes 90:196
Folder 24: General Correspondence, 1874: Includes 90:195
Folder 25: General Correspondence, 1873: Includes 90:194
Folder 26: General Correspondence, March-December 1872: Includes 90:193
Folder 27: General Correspondence, January-Febraury 1872: Includes 90:191 and 90:192
Folder 28: General Correspondence, 1871: Includes 90:190
Folder 29: General Correspondence, 1869-1970: Includes 90:189
Folder 30: General Correspondence, November-December 1868: Includes 90:188 and 90:187
Folder 31: General Correspondence, September-October 1868: Includes 90:186
Folder 32: General Correspondence, July-August 1868: Includes 90:185
Folder 33: General Correspondence, May-June 1868: Includes 90:184
Folder 34: General Correspondence, March-April 1868: Includes 90:183 and 90:182
Folder 35: General Correspondence, January-February 1868: Includes 90:180 and 90:181
Folder 36: General Correspondence, January-April 1867: Includes 90:176
Folder 37: General Correspondence, November-December 1866: Includes 90:175
Folder 38: General Correspondence, September-October 1866: Includes 90:174
Folder 39: General Correspondence, July-August 1866: Includes 90:173
Folder 40: General Correspondence, April-June 1866: Includes 90:172
Folder 41: General Correspondence, January-March 1866: Includes 90:171
Folder 42: O.O. Estreu Letter with English Translation by H.W Estreu, 1866
Folder 43: General Correspondence, July-December 1865: Includes 90:170
Folder 44: General Correspondence, January-June 1865: Includes 90:169
Folder 45: General Correspondence, 1864-1912: Includes 90:365
Folder 46: General Correspondence, November-December 1867: Includes 90:179
Folder 47: General Correspondence, May-October 1867: Includes 90:177 and 90:178
Folder 48: General Correspondence, July-December 1864: Includes 90:168
Folder 49: General Correspondence, January-June 1864: Includes 90:167
Folder 50: General Correspondence, October-December 1863: Includes 90:166
Folder 51: General Correspondence, May-September 1863: Includes 90:165
Folder 52: General Correspondence, January-April 1863: Includes 90:164
Folder 53: General Correspondence, 1862: Includes 90:163
Folder 54: General Correspondence, 1861-1862: Includes 90:222
Folder 55: General Correspondence, 1861: Includes 90:162
Folder 56: General Correspondence, 1860: Includes 90:161
Folder 57: General Correspondence, 1855-1859: Includes 90:160
Folder 58: General Correspondence, undated: Includes 90:268

Box 2: General Correspondence, 1887-1896

Folder 1: General Correspondence, 1894-1896: Includes 90:256, and 90:257
Folder 2: General Correspondence, September-December 1893: Includes 90:252, 90:253, 90:254, and 90:255
Folder 3: General Correspondence, May-August 1893: Includes 90:249, 90:250, and 90:251
Folder 4: General Correspondence, January-April 1893: Includes 90:246, 90:247, and 90:248
Folder 5: General Correspondence, 1892: Includes 90:242, 90:243, 90:244, and 90:245
Folder 6: General Correspondence, 1891: Includes 90:239, 90:240, and 90:241
Folder 7: General Correspondence, 1890: Includes 90:335, 90:336, 90:337, and 90:338
Folder 8: General Correspondence, 1889: Includes 90:233 and 90:234
Folder 9: General Correspondence, 1888: Includes 90:232
Folder 10: General Correspondence, 1887: Includes 90:229, 90:230, and 90:231

Box 3: Topical Correspondence, 1851-1894

Folder 1: Augsburg Seminary, 1874-1875: Includes 90:197
Folder 2: Australia Mission, 1883-1890: Includes 90:272
Folder 3: Australia Mission, 1880-1882: Includes 90:271
Folder 4: Chronological List of Letters Between C.F. Walther and Synod Pastors, 1858-1886: Includes 90:380
Folder 5: Church Council, 1891-1893: Includes 90:267
Folder 6: Church Council, 1882-1886: Includes 90:265
Folder 7: Church Council, 1879-1881: Includes 90:264
Folder 8: Church Council, 1876-1878: Includes 90:263
Folder 9: Church Council, 1874-1875: Includes 90:262
Folder 10: Church Council, 1870-1873: Includes 90:261
Folder 11: Church Council, 1868-1869: Includes 90:260
Folder 12: Church Council, 1856-1867: Includes 90:259
Folder 13: Concordia Seminary, 1892-1894: Includes 90:343
Folder 14: Concordia Seminary, 1888-1891: Includes 90:342
Folder 15: Concordia Seminary, 1887: Includes 90:341
Folder 16: Concordia Seminary, 1886: Includes 90:340
Folder 17: Concordia Seminary, 1879-1880: Includes 90:327
Folder 18: Election (Predestination) Controversy, 1881-1882: Includes 90:150
Folder 19: Election (Predestination) Controversy, 1882: Includes 90:149
Folder 20: Emigrant Mission, 1893: Inclues 90:276
Folder 21: Emigrant Mission, 1890-1892: Includes 90:275
Folder 22: Emigrant Mission, 1882-1889: Includes 90:274
Folder 23: Emigrant Mission, 1879-1881: Includes 90:273
Folder 24: August Heramb Matter, 1875-1877: Includes 90:367
Folder 25: Indian Mission, 1893: Includes 90:281
Folder 26: Indian Mission, 1890-1892: Includes 90:279 and 90:280
Folder 27: Indian Mission, 1883-1889: Includes 90:278
Folder 28: Letters to Call, 1853-1859: Includes 90:119
Folder 29: Letters to Call, 1860-1866: Includes 90:120
Folder 30: Letters to Call, 1867-1873: Includes 90:121
Folder 31: Letters to Call, 1871-1874: Includes 90:122
Folder 32: Letters to Call, 1874-1875: Includes 90:123
Folder 33: Letters to Call, 1875-1891: Includes 90:124
Folder 34: Letter to Conference in Eau Claire From O. Naess, undated: Includes item 90:34:22
Folder 35: Thrond Lomen and Knud Nordsving, 1852: Includes item 90:1:2
Folder 36: To Luther College Faculty, 20 August 1890: Includes item 90:56:13
Folder 37: Lutheran Seminary, 1893: Includes 90:324
Folder 38: Lutheran Seminary, 1890-1892: Includes 90:323, 90:322, and 90:321
Folder 39: Lutheran Seminary, 1889: Includes 90:320 ; includes correspondence on Madison Seminary
Folder 40: Lutheran Seminary, 1888: Includes 90:319
Folder 41: Lutheran Seminary, 1886-1887: Includes 90:318
Folder 42: Lutheran Seminary, 1884-1885: Includes 90:316 and 90:317
Folder 43: Lutheran Seminary, 1883: Includes 90:315
Folder 44: Lutheran Seminary, 1881: Includes 90:313
Folder 45: Lutheran Seminary, 1880: Includes 90:312
Folder 46: Madison Seminary, 1890-1892: Includes 90:323, 90:322, 90:321
Folder 47: Madison Seminary, 1888: Includes 90:319
Folder 48: Parochial School Question, Papers, 1849-1890: Includes 90:153
Folder 49: Parochial School Question, Papers, 1873-1877: Includes 90:151
Folder 50: Parochial School Question, Papers, 1886: Includes 90:152
Folder 51: H.A. Preus, 1887-1890: Includes 90:266
Folder 52: H.A. Preus Norwegian Publishing House, 1884-1893: Includes 90:144
Folder 53: H.A. Preus, 1869, 1878-1890: Includes 90:270
Folder 54: Seaman's Mission, 1890-1893: Includes 90:277
Folder 55: Slavery Question, 1863, 1864: Includes 90:154
Folder 56: Anders Iversen Stadstad, 1885-1886: Includes 90:226
Folder 57: Utah Mission, 1892-1893: Includes 90:284 and 90:285
Folder 58: Utah Mission, 1889-1891: Includes 90:283
Item 1: Synod President (bound), 1851-1862: Includes 90:159

Box 4: Records of Letters, 1862-1888

Item 1: Record of Letters from Synod President, 1862-1871
Item 2: Record of Letters from Synod President, 1871-1877
Item 3: Record of Letters Received, Vol. 1, 1862-1887
Item 4: Record of Letters from Synod President, 1878-1888
Item 5: Record of Letters Sent, 1862-1863
Item 6: Record of Letters Sent, 1864-1875