Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/484

 410 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY L. Larsen. A faithful, but small, body of believers continued to bold services at the homes of members, in halls, at the' courthouse, and in various other places, Rev. Larsen continuing as religious instructor and pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. B. J. Muus, under whose pastorate the church was formally or- ganized as a Norwegian-speaking church, in the basement of the German Lutheran church, February 18, 1864. The original organization had a membership of eight families. In 1865 the lot on the corner of Bush and Sixth streets was bought, and a church erected. The cornerstone was laid October 10, 1866, and the church was dedicated October 18, of the same year. On the same day the Rev. Nels Th. Ylvisaker was ordained, and became the first resident pastor. He was succeeded in 1875 by Rev. R. Lar- son, who the next year was followed by the Rev. K. Berven. During his pastorate the predestination controversy divided the congregation, and twenty-eight families severed their connection with the church. Reverend Berven remained pastor to 1887. Then for a year the congregation was served from Minneapolis by Rev. 0. P. Vangsnes. In 1888 the Rev. K. Bjorgo was installed as pastor. In 1891 he was elected president of the Minnesota district of the Synod. He had the following assistants : D. P. Growe, 1891-94; P. A. Kittelshy. 1894-96; C. Doring, 1896-97. It was during Reverend Bjorgo 's pastorate that English work was begun in the congregation. The English Mission Society was organized in 1890 with Rev. J. A. Detzer, of St. Paul, in charge from 1890 to 1892. He was succeeded by Rev. E. F. Haertel, who served from 1892 to 1897. In 1897 the English Mission Society was merged into the congregation proper, and the congregation adopted its present name and the English language as its official tongue. The duties of district president required more and more of Reverend Bjorgo 's time. He therefore resigned as pastor, and was succeeded in 1897 by Rev. H. G. Magelssen. Reverend Bjorgo remained as assistant pastor. Reverend Magelssen 's pas- torate extended to January, 1903. when he was succeeded by the Rev. E. I. Strom. In 1900 the corner of Fifth and Dakota streets' was purchased for a site for the new church and parsonage. In 1902 the house on the property was remodeled for a parsonage. In September. 1904. the excavation for the new church was com- menced. The cornerstone was laid April 9, 1905, and the church was dedicated July 15. 1906. The new church is of Red AVing stone, 84x48, with a seating capacity of 400. It is heated with steam and lighted by gas and electricity. The basement extends under the whole church, and is used for school and societies. The church property as it now stands cost, in round numbers, $30,000. A regular day school has been conducted since the fall of 1903. with the pastor and Elizabeth Clausen as teachers. The