History of Grace Lutheran Church
Presentation to the Annandale History Club
March 5, 2007
Pastor Mike Nelson

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The hosts for Annandale History Club's visit to Grace Lutheran Church in French Lake Township were Pastor Mike Nelson, Russell and LaVina Opsahl and Virginia Anderson.

Pastor Nelson gave the history and tour of the church. 

The history of Grace Lutheran Church started in 1868 when Pastor J. S. Nilson of Stockholm Lutheran Church south of Cokato made visits to the area to minister to settlers.  A new Lutheran church was started in Cokato in 1869, but this was still considered too far to travel.  In 1870 an organizational meeting was held in French Lake Township two miles northwest of the present North Crow River Church at the home of John Sundin near the Crow River.  The newly organized congregation was called the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church at Crow River.  Rev. Lagerstrom, who served the Stockholm Church, was called to make regular visits once a month.  In 1870 a log church was built about 300 feet west of the present North Crow River Church at Knapp.  In 1881 a new frame building was built, and the present North Crow River Church was built in 1903.

Rev. Lagerstrom served 1870-1872.  The following pastors divided their time between the church at Cokato and North Crow River Church:  Rev. Fred Peterson (1872-1877), Rev. L. Hocanzon (1877-1883), and Rev. J. A. Levine (1883-1893).  In 1893-1900 Rev. Erik Norsen served as the first resident pastor at North Crow River.  1896-1904, North Crow River's pastor also served another Swedish congregation, Ostmark Lutheran Church in Meeker County.  

In 1890 there were many settlers on the north side of the Crow River.  There was no bridge, and at times it was difficult to cross the river to get to church.  Pioneers could cross when the water wasn't too high, the ice was safe, or by walking across a hanging bridge.  In 1890 the church built a schoolhouse north of the river (four miles from North Crow River Church), and in 1893 the church board permitted Pastor Eric Norsen to conduct services and meetings there twice a month.  A parochial school was held during the summer.  Catechism was taught in Swedish, so it was also a Swedish language course.

On January 7, 1898, twelve men signed a petition to be separated from North Crow River Church.  They proposed to organize their own congregation belonging to the Augustana Synod and to be one pastorate with North Crow River congregation.  North Crow River granted permission at a special meeting on January 17, 1898.  The two churches share a pastor to this day, and in 1968 Redeemer Lutheran Church of Kingston also joined the parish.

The twenty families present at the organizational meeting for the new church were as follows:

Mr. and Mrs. Nils Nilson

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Nilson

Mr. and Mrs. Jens Tomte

Mr. and Mrs. N. N. Dokken

Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Monson

Mr. and Mrs. N. P. Utterberg

Mr. and Mrs. N. O. Dahlman

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Askim

Mr. and Mrs. John Ahlquist

Mr. and Mrs. Henrik Person

Mr. ane Mrs. Per Person

Mr. and Mrs. Anders Becklund

Mr. and Mrs. Olof Palmquist

Mr. and Mrs. P. O. Berg

Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Sandberg

Mr. and Mrs. Erick Person

Mr. and Mrs. Hans Larson

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Ole Danielson

Ole Asp 

Note:  C. M. Monson and Mr. and Mr. Olof Palmquist were also charter members of North Crow River in 1870.  

The first officers were Carl Nilson, N. P. Utterberg, N. N. Dokken, Ole Asp, and P. O. Berg.  Swedish Evangelical Lutheran French Lake Congregation was the name chosen for the new congregation. The congregation asked North Crow River to give them the schoolhouse and the land belonging to it and a part interest in the parsonage at North Crow River.  It was also decided that their share of the pastor's salary would be $100, half paid April 1 and half on November 1.  Charter member Nels Dahlman built the pulpit, altar and communion rail.  The pulpit was much higher, but has been cut down.

Highlights: 

1898 - French Lake Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church organized.  Worship services held at former church schoolhouse converted to a church.

1900 - 16 x 20 schoolroom was added to the south side of the church and the land around the church cleared and leveled off.

1904 - Steeple added to north end of the church.

1907 - Balcony and narthex added.  More church-like windows installed.

1914 - New floor in church, funding provided by the ladies of the church.

1917 - Gas light installed in church costing $50.00

WWI - Eleven young men from the congregation served in WWI.  All returned safely.

1925 - Extensive repairs; metal ceiling and altar painting installed.

1927 - Church raised, basement put in.  Furnace installed.

1928 - Pastor Seastrand started a church paper.

WWII - 18 young men from the church served in WWII; all returned; 3 wounded; Morgan Walberg was wounded severely.

1947 - Electricity became available at the church.

1948 - 50^th Anniversary celebration.  Committee:  John Erickson, Mr. and Mrs. John Peterson, Mrs. Levi Lindquist, Mrs. William Paulson, John Olson, Church Board, Pastor A. C. Edstrom. 

1953 - French Lake Lutheran renamed Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

1956 - New furnace.

1968 - Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kingston became part of a three-point parish.

1971 - Indoor bathrooms added.  (Outhouses are still on church property in 2006.)

1973 - 75^th Anniversary celebration.

1986 - Became part of ELCA when Lutheran synods merged.

1996 - Improvements: Stained glass windows installed, pews shortened and refinished, new carpet, interior woodwork refinished, walls and ceiling repainted.

1998 - 100^th Anniversary celebrated June 27-28, 1998.  Centennial committee: Diane Swendra, Doreen Erickson, Pat Salmela, Gordy Erickson, Mel Swendra, chairman.

Grace Lutheran Church Pastors:

1898-1901 Rev. Eric Norsen

1901-1905 Rev. A. J. Elmer

1905-1917 Rev. Alfred Melin

1917-1924 Rev. E. A. Bongfeldt

1924-1928 Rev. Svante Udden

1928-1940 A. F. Seastrand

1940-1945 Rev. Arvid H. Larson

1946-1957 Rev. A. C. Edstrom

1957-1965 Rev. Ernest V. Olson

1965-1989 Rev. Theodore M. Lee

1990-1995 Rev. Jeffrey A. Blank

1995-1999 Rev. Eric Bakken

1999-2002 Rev. Frank Schmeling

2003-Present Rev. Michael Nelson

The longest serving pastor was Ted Lee (1965-1988).

English services were adopted in the early 1920s.  Swedish services continued to be held two afternoons each month for some time.  Church attendance is currently about 25 on Sundays.  The three churches rotate starting times of  8:30, 9:45 and 11:00 a.m.  There is a combined parish Sunday school currently meeting at Redeemer.  Pastor Mike Nelson has served for the past four years.

Grace and North Crow River Church records through 1970 are available on microfilm at the Cokato Historical Society.