Records of the Founding Congregations

Records of the Founding Congregations, 1844-2013 | Luther College Archives

By Sasha Griffin

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Collection Overview

Title: Records of the Founding Congregations, 1844-2013

ID: LCA/RG13/Series 2

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

Extent: 65.4 Linear Feet. More info below.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into 27 series:

1) Big Canoe Lutheran (1857-1989)

2) Calmar Congregation (1851-1920)

3) East Clermont Lutheran Church (1926-1986)

4) Coon Valley Lutheran Church (1853-2003)

5) Decorah Lutheran Church (1863-1997)

6) First Lutheran Church (1863-1996)

7) Glenwood Congregation (1854-1961)

8) Hesper Lutheran (1865-1986)

9) Immanuel Lutheran (1881-1982)

10) Paint Creek (East and West) Lutheran (1851-1987)

11) Little Iowa Congregation (1851-1930)

12) Madison and Lincoln Lutheran (1866-2001)

13) Orleans Lutheran (1868-1987)

14) Ossian Lutheran (2003)

15) Our Savior's Lutheran Church (1955)

16) Peace Lutheran (1873-1986)

17) The Ridgeway Parish (1951-1976)

18) Saint Benedict of Decorah (1992)

19) Saint Joseph's First Lutheran (1860-1886)

20) Saint Paul Lutheran Church (1863-1988)

21) Stavanger Lutheran Church (1870-2003)

22) Trinity Lutheran (1854-1995)

23) Washington Prairie Lutheran (1854-2003)

24) Waterloo Lutheran (1867-1977)

25) Vangen (undated)

26) Founding Congregation Histories (1885-2001)

27) Other Congregational Records (1844-1996)

Subjects: Evangelical Lutheran Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church - History, Norwegian Lutheran Church of America, Norwegian Synod, Women's Missionary Federation (Evangelical Lutheran Church)

Forms of Material: Correspondence, Photographs, Scrapbooks, Sound recordings, Video Recordings, Videotapes

Languages: English, Norwegian

Abstract

This collection contains church histories, records, and audiovisual material from the founding congregations of the Norwegian Synod.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This series contains church histories, records, and audiovisual materials from the founding congregations of the Norwegian Synod. Congregational histories and records include correspondence, ministerial and communion records, membership information, scrapbooks, meeting minutes, financial records, brochures and pamphlets, photographs, videocassettes (VHS), reel-to-reel audio recordings, vinyl LPs, and 16mm film. Dates range from 1844 to 2003. Though most information is in English, some early materials are in Norwegian.

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 rpidly 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

Evangelical Lutheran Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church - History
Norwegian Lutheran Church of America
Norwegian Synod
Women's Missionary Federation (Evangelical Lutheran Church)

Administrative Information

Repository: Luther College Archives

Alternate Extent Statement: 116 boxes

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.

Physical Access Note: Audiovisual materials may require special use copies, which may or may not be available. For further information, please contact the college archivist.

Technical Access Note: Some materials in this collection require the use of a cassette player, 16mm film projector, microfilm reader, reel-to-reel audio player, VCR player, or photographic slide projector or scanner.

Original/Copies Note: Some materials in this collection are reproductions and the originals are held by the publishing company that created them.

Preferred Citation:

Cite unpublished materials: Records of the Founding Congregations, 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.).

Finding Aid Revision History: Updated 4/13/2018 by Hayley Jackson to add Subseries 26 Box 6.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Sub-Series:

[Sub-Series 1: Big Canoe Lutheran, 1857-1989],
[Sub-Series 2: Calmar Congregation, 1851-1920],
[Sub-Series 3: East Clermont Lutheran Church, 1926-1986],
[Sub-Series 4: Coon Valley Lutheran Church, 1853-2003],
[Sub-Series 5: Decorah Lutheran Church, 1863-1997],
[Sub-Series 6: First Lutheran Church, 1863-2013],
[Sub-Series 7: Glenwood Congregation, 1854-1961],
[Sub-Series 8: Hesper Lutheran, 1865-1986],
[Sub-Series 9: Immanuel Lutheran, 1881-1982],
[Sub-Series 10: Paint Creek (East and West) Lutheran, 1851-1987],
[Sub-Series 11: Little Iowa Congregation, 1851-1930],
[Sub-Series 12: Madison and Lincoln Lutheran, 1866-2001],
[Sub-Series 13: Orleans Lutheran, 1868-1987],
[Sub-Series 14: Ossian Lutheran, 2003],
[Sub-Series 15: Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1955],
[Sub-Series 16: Peace Lutheran, 1873-1986],
[Sub-Series 17: The Ridgeway Parish, 1951-1976],
[Sub-Series 18: Saint Benedict of Decorah, 1992],
[Sub-Series 19: Saint Joseph's First Lutheran, 1860-1886],
[Sub-Series 20: Saint Paul Lutheran Church, 1863-1988],
[Sub-Series 21: Stavanger Lutheran Church, 1870-2003],
[Sub-Series 22: Trinity Lutheran, 1854-1995],
[Sub-Series 23: Washington Prairie Lutheran, 1854-2003],
[Sub-Series 24: Waterloo Lutheran, 1867-1977],
[Sub-Series 25: Vangen, undated],
[Sub-Series 26: Founding Congregation Histories, 1885-2001],
[Sub-Series 27: Other Congregational Records, 1844-2000],
[All]

Sub-Series 23: Washington Prairie Lutheran, 1854-2003

Box 1: Church Records, 1854-2001

Folder 1: Celebrations and Dedications, 1903-2001
Folder 2: Directories, 1973, 2001
Folder 3: Annual Reports, 1993-2001
Folder 4: Deacon's Meetings Minutes, 1981-1984
Folder 5: Congregation Meetings Minutes, 1931-1960
Folder 6: Board of Trustees Minutes, 1970-1973
Folder 7: Board of Trustees Minutes, 1974-1977
Folder 8: Congregation Meetings Minutes, 1886-1930
Folder 9: Congregation Meetings Minutes (Translations), 1854-1930

Box 2: Financial Records, 1883-1968

Folder 3: Mission Support, 1883-1903
Folder 4: Repair Contract and Specificaton, 1904
Item 1: Ledger, 1962-1968
Item 2: Membership Book, 1912-1927

Box 3: Ministerial Records, 1890-1966

Item 1: Ministerial Book, 1890-1966

Box 4: Ladies Aid, 1882-1970

Folder 1: History, 1882-1970
Folder 2: Member's Books, 1947-1952
Folder 3: Minutes, 1967-1970
Folder 4: Minutes, 1960-1966
Folder 5: Minutes, 1957-1959
Folder 6: Minutes, 1951-1956
Folder 7: Minutes, 1949-1950
Folder 8: Minutes, 1944-1948
Folder 9: Minutes, 1926-1943

Box 5: Ladies Aid Financial Record Books, 1883-1961

Item 1: Ladies Aid Financial Record Books, 1951-1961
Item 2: Ladies Aid Financial Record Books, 1947-1950
Item 3: Ladies Aid Financial Record Books, 1943-1946
Item 4: Ladies Aid Financial Record Books, 1930-1942
Item 5: Ladies Aid Financial Record Books, 1912-1929
Item 6: Ladies Aid Financial Record Books, 1901-1911
Item 7: Ladies Aid Financial Record Books, 1883-1900

Box 6: Lutheran Brotherhood, 1942-1967

Item 1: Minutes, 1942
Item 2: Minutes, 1942-1967

Box 7: Luther League, 1941-1961

Item 1: Minutes, 1941-1942
Item 2: Minutes, 1944-1951
Item 3: Minutes, 1952-1961

Box 8: Lutheran Daughters of the Revolution, 1942-1960

Item 1: Minutes, 1958-1960
Item 2: Minutes, 1951-1957
Item 3: Minutes, 1944-1950
Item 4: Financial Records, 1946-1953
Item 5: History, 1942-1959

Box 9: Publications, 1923-1986

Folder 1: Service Program, 21 July 1968
Folder 2: Bulletins, 1980
Folder 3: Bulletins, 1980
Folder 4: Bulletins, 1979
Folder 5: Bulletins, 1979
Folder 6: Bulletins, 1978
Folder 7: Bulletins, 1978
Folder 8: Bulletins, 1977
Folder 9: Bulletins, 1976
Folder 10: Bulletins, 1975
Folder 11: Bulletins, 1974
Folder 12: Bulletins, 1973
Folder 13: Bulletins, 1972
Folder 14: Bulletins, 1971
Folder 15: Brochure, undated
Folder 16: Newsletter, 1979
Folder 17: Newsletter, 1978
Folder 18: Directory, 1986
Folder 19: Commemorations, 1923-1951
Folder 20: "The Passion", undated

Box 10: Oral Histories, 1988-1990

Folder 1: Inventory Information for Oral Histories, 1988-1990
Item 1: Charlotte Hegg Orbeck, VHS, 1989
Item 2: Art and Elsie Branhagen, Helen Figge, Ted and Olga Wangsness, VHS, 1989
Item 3: Nordic Fest, VHS, 1989
Item 4: Elmer and Hazel Wangsness, Bob Jacobson, John and Norma Hegg, VHS, 1989
Item 5: E.J Weigle, Evelyn Sersland, VHS, 1989
Item 6: Lillian Bruvold, Louise Halverson, VHS, 1989
Item 7: Lefsa Making Day, Visit from Iowa Culture Group, Guttebos, Irene Sersland, VHS, 1989
Item 8: Arla Lyon, VHS, 1989
Item 9: Esther Hegg, Margareth Hamre, Leonard and Signe Ruen, George Linnevold, VHS, 1989
Item 10: Marie Torgrim, Eric and Almira Egge, VHS, 1989
Item 11: Marie Torgrim, Eric and Almira Egge, VHS, 1989
Item 12: Vesterheim/Historical Society Program, VHS, 1989
Item 13: Art and Elsie, Helen Figge, Ted and Olga Wangsness, VHS, 1989
Item 14: John and Elizabeth Estrem, VHS, 1990

Box 11: Oral Histories, 1988-1990

Item 1: Helmer and Cora Orvella, VHS, 1988
Item 2: Conrad Engebretson, VHS, 1990
Item 3: Andrew and Agnes Spilde (Part 2), VHS, 1990
Item 4: Charlotte Jacobson, Rudy and Velma Remmen, VHS, 1990
Item 5: Antoinette Bakke Webb, Edith Gipp, Andrew and Agnes Spilde (Part 1), VHS, 1990
Item 6: Florence Lynch, VHS, 1990
Item 7: Vernon and Delores Rovang, Marian Gjevre, VHS, 1990
Item 8: Herschell Lennon, Anna Olson, Palma Zidlicky, Art and Florence Ruen, VHS, 1990

Box 12: Non-Textual and Realia, Photographs, 1892-1950

Folder 1: Lutheran Herald, 17 January 1950
Folder 2: Confirmation Class, 1925
Folder 3: Women's Music Group Picture, 1904
Folder 4: Ole and Sigrid Viste Family, undated
Folder 5: Picture Taken in Front of Washington Praire, undated
Folder 6: Christmas Card from Reverend Oscar E. Eagebretson and Family, undated
Folder 7: First Viste School House, 1905-1906
Folder 8: Elizabeth Koren, undated
Folder 9: Washington Prairie Band, 6 July 1892
Folder 10: The Koren Family on the Porch, undated
Folder 11: Confirmation Class, Summer 1991

Box 13: Photographs, 1912-1980

Folder 1: Confirmation Classes, 1980
Folder 2: Confirmation Classes, 1970-1979
Folder 3: Confirmation Classes, 1960-1968
Folder 4: Confirmation Classes, 1950-1959
Folder 5: Confirmation Classes, 1941-1949
Folder 6: Confirmation Classes, 1930-1939
Folder 7: Confirmation Classes, 1920-1928
Folder 8: Confirmation Classes, 1904-1919
Folder 9: Confirmation Classes, Before 1900
Folder 10: Confirmation Classes, 1912

Box 14: Photographic Negatives, 1894-1981

Folder 1: Negatives of Confirmation Classes and Church Building, 1894-1981

Box 15: Printing Blocks, 1949

Folder 1: Rev. Paul Koren, Washington Prairie Frontispiece, undated
Folder 2: Floor Plan for Parish Hall Addition, Rev. and Mrs. V. Koren in the Parsonage's Living Room, undated
Folder 3: Washington Prairie with Parish Hall Addition, Frontispiece of Washington Prairie after Parish Hall Additon, undated
Item 1: History of Washington Prairie, 1949

Box 16: U.V Koren's Collar, undated

Box 17: Small Leather Purse, undated

Box 18: U.V Koren's Collar, undated

Box 19: Anniversary Bulletins, 1903, 2003

Box 20: Altar Cloths and Carpet Sample, undated

Box 21: Velvet Border Cloth, undated

Box 22: Financial Records, 1972-1985

Folder 1: Cancelled Check File, 1984
Folder 2: Cancelled Check File, 1985
Folder 3: Cancelled Check File, 1982
Folder 4: Cancelled Check File, 1983
Folder 5: Cancelled Check File, 1979
Folder 6: Cancelled Check File, 1976
Folder 7: Cancelled Check File, 1981
Folder 8: Cancelled Check File, 1977
Folder 9: Cancelled Check File, 1980
Folder 10: Cancelled Check File, 1975
Folder 11: Cancelled Check File, 1974
Folder 12: Cancelled Check File, 1978
Folder 13: Bank Statements, 1973
Folder 14: Bank Statements, 1966
Folder 15: Bank Statements, 1967
Folder 16: Bank Statements, 1968
Folder 17: Bank Statements, 1972

Box 23: Washington Prairie Records, 1948-2021

Folder 1: Accession Inventories, 2021-2022
Folder 2: WELCA Secretary Reports, 1987-2021
Folder 3: ALCW Secretary's Minutes (American Lutheran Church Women), 1971-1977
Folder 4: ALCW Secretary Reports (American Lutheran Church Women), 1978-1985
Folder 5: ALCW Secretary Reports (American Lutheran Church Women), 1986-1996
Folder 6: WELCA Secretrary Reports, 1997-2007
Folder 7: WELCA Secretary Reports, 2007-2008
Folder 8: WELCA Secretary Papers, 1986-1990
Folder 9: ALCW Treasurer's Report (American Lutheran Church Women), 1972-1993
Folder 10: ALCW Secretary Report (American Lutheran Church Women), 1970-1987
Folder 11: WELCA Financial Record, 1991-1995
Folder 12: WELCA Treasurer's Report, 2019-2020
Folder 13: WELCA Financial Records and Treasurer's Report, 2000-2009
Folder 14: Treasurer's Report, 2010-2018
Folder 15: Artwork for 1987 Cookbook, 1987
Folder 16: ALCW/WELCA Booklets, 1972-1989
Folder 17: WELCA Booklets, 1992-2005
Folder 18: WELCA Booklets, 2006-2016
Folder 19: WELCA Booklets, 2018-2021
Folder 20: Secretary and Treasurer Documents WELCA, 1980-2018
Folder 21: WELCA Treasurer's Report, 2021
Folder 22: WELCA Treasurer's Report, 2022
Folder 23: Misc., 2009
Folder 24: Annual Financial Reports, 1948-1958
Folder 25: Annual Financial Report, 1959-1969

Box 24: Washington Prairie Project, 1865-2009

Folder 1: Washington Prairie Project: Intensive Historical Site Survey of the Washington Prairie Settlement, 1990
Folder 2: Washington Prairie Project: Site List, Survey Info, and Maps, 1990
Folder 3: Washington Prairie Project: Research on Washington Prairie Methodist and Jacobson Farm, undated
Folder 4: Washington Prairie Project: Nordness Info and Maps, Early Settlers, Research, Site Inventories, 1990
Folder 5: Translations by Rosella Goettelman (Washington Prairie History Book), 1998
Folder 6: Karlyn Cross Washington Prairie Research Photocopies (Washington Prairie History Book), undated
Folder 7: Karlyn Cross Washington Prairie Research Photocopies (Washington Prairie History Book), undated
Folder 8: Photocopies of Story of Washington Prairie Book, undated
Folder 9: Assorted Programs and News Clippings (Washington Prarie, East Kashkonog, Stavanger), 1952-1993
Folder 10: Washington Prairie Historical Information from Mildred Jacobson (Photographs, Programs, News Clippings), undated
Folder 11: Copies of Photos of U.V. Koren, undated
Folder 12: Floppy Disks - Koren Family Photos, 1865-1903
Folder 13: Photos, 1918-2009