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 9: Publications, 1877-1953

Box 1: Publications, 1877-1917

Folder 1: Constitutions, 1877, 1893
Item 1: The March of Faith, 1943
Item 2: Hymns and Songs at the Norwegian Lutheran National Celebration in America, undated
Item 3: Thornsby, A Northern Colony in Alabama, undated
Item 4: Luther College, 1917
Item 5: 400 Years, Reformatiionfest, 1917
Item 6: Den Norske Synode (The Norwegian Synod), 1914, 1915
Item 7: Song Festival Program, 1908
Item 8: Alderdomshjem (Old Age Home), 1897
Item 9: Alderdomshjem (Old Age Home), undated
Item 11: Festtaler (Speeches at the Dedication of the Norwegian Luther College), 1890
Folder 12: First Lutheran Church 100th Anniversary Brochure, 1963

Box 2: Publications, 1927-1953

Item 1: The Doctoral Position of the Norwegian Synod, 1927
Item 2: After 100 Years: A Pictorial History, 1953
Item 3: The Forward March of Faith, 1943