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 4: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meetings, 1863-1917

Box 1: Proceedings of Synod Meetings, 1870-1876

Item 1: Proceedings of Synod Meetings, 1870-1876

Box 2: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meetings, 1863-1917

Folder 1: Papers of Final Synod Meeting, 8 June 1917: Includes 90:94
Folder 2: Papers of Synod Meeting, 23-29 May 1902: Includes 90:86
Folder 3: Proceedings of Synod Meeting in Spring Grove, MN, 1899: Includes 90:83
Folder 4: Papers of Synod Meeting, 1890: Includes 90:75
Folder 5: Papers of Synod Meeting in Stoughton, WI, June 1887: Includes 90:70
Folder 6: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meeting in Spring Grove, MN, 1881: Includes 90:53
Folder 7: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meeting in Koshkonong, WI, 1878: Includes 90:48 and 90:49
Folder 8: Proceedings of Synod Meeting in Decorah, IA, June 1876: Includes 90:44
Folder 9: Papers of Synod Meeting in Decorah, IA, June 1876: Includes 90:45
Folder 10: Proceedings of Synod Meeting in Minneapolis, MN, June 1875: Includes 90:41
Folder 11: Papers of Synod Meeting in Minneapolis, MN, June 1875: Includes 90:42
Folder 12: Proceedings of Synod Meeting in Holden, MN, June 1874: Includes 90:36
Folder 13: Papers of Synod Meeting in Holden, MN, June 1874: Includes 90:37
Folder 14: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meeting in LaCrosse, WI, 21-29 June 1873: Includes 90:32
Folder 15: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meeting in Scandinavia, WI, June 1872: Includes 90:31
Folder 16: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meeting in Painted Creek, IA, 22-28 June 1871: Includes 90:29
Folder 17: Letters of Regret for Not Attending Synod Meeting, 1870: Includes 90:26
Folder 18: Proceedings of Synod Meeting in Lisbon, IL, July 1870: Includes 90:23
Folder 19: Papers of Synod Meeting in Lisbon, IL, July 1870: Includes 90:25
Folder 20: Papers of Synod Meeting in Lisbon, IL, July 1870: Includes 90:24
Folder 21: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meeting in Spring Grove, MN, 19-27 June 1869: Includes 90:18
Folder 22: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meeting, 19-27 June 1869: Includes 90:12
Folder 23: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meeting in Spring Grove, MN, 19-27 June 1869: Includes 90:19
Folder 24: Proceedings of Synod Meeting in Chicago, IL, 21-29 June 1868: Includes 90:14
Folder 25: Papers of Synod Meeting in Chicago, IL, 21-29 June 1868: Includes 90:15
Folder 26: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meeting in Manitowoc. WI, June 1866: Includes 90:10
Folder 27: Proceedings of Synod Meeting, 1865: Includes 90:9
Folder 28: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meeting, 1864: Includes 90:6
Folder 29: Proceedings and Papers of Synod Meeting, 10-17 June 1863: Includes 90:4
Folder 30: Notes of Synod Meeting in Rock River Church, 10-17 June 1863: Includes 90:3
Folder 31: Synod Meeting, Speech, undated: Includes 90:268
Folder 32: Proceedings & Papers of Synod Meeting in Spring Grove, MN #2, 1881: Includes 90:52