History of Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church
Presentation to the Annandale History Club
November 1, 2004
Paul Johnson

On Monday, November 1, 2004, twenty-two members of the Annandale History Club and three members of Mount Hermon Lutheran Church gathered at the church for a presentation by Paul Johnson and Duane Berg.  There was also a tour of the church followed by refreshments.

The church was organized in 1881 with 41 communicants and 41 children.  J. S. Nilson was the first pastor.  The present church was built in 1889 one-fourth mile north of Camp Lake. It was named Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Albion and Middleville.

There are 18 pews accommodating five or six in each pew as well as 20 balcony seats.  At present there are 25 to 30 people attending Sunday services.  The current pastor is Steve Josephson, who lives in Anoka County.  The church is located at 1289 Jennings Avenue N.W., Annandale (Albion Township).

Pastor Alex Sand served four churches - Mount Hermon, Highland, St. John's Lutheran, Annandale, and Nyelanda Lutheran south of Howard Lake.  There were two services in the morning and two services in the afternoon.  Sometimes three churches met each Sunday and one rested, since Pastor Sand couldn't get to all four churches.  Pastor Sand kept a handwritten journal for all four churches.  He served 1912-1945 (33 years). [Rev. Alex Sand obituary]

In 1928 the language for services changed from Swedish to English.  Not everyone was in agreement.  The pastor said that "God will understand English."  Another church member said, "God will understand it, but He's not going to like it."

After Pastor Sand left in 1945, there was no longer a parsonage (built 1896).  The parsonage was used for Luther League and meetings.  After the church basement was added in 1955, the parsonage was sold and is still in use as a residence.

There was a barn by the parsonage where Pastor Sand kept horses. He traveled to the churches with horse and buggy until automobiles became available.  Kermit Lundeen said that the Lundeen Ford Agency started on the Lundeen farm within sight of Mount Hermon Church.  Pastor Sand was a good and loyal customer, wearing out many Fords in his work.

Rodney Hill and John Jurgenson, who grew up in the church, went on to become pastors.  Marvin Anderson was janitor at the church for many years.

Pastor Fagerberg was the first full-time pastor at Mt. Hermon, who did not serve other churches as well.  He died in 1980.

In 1998 Charles Tiegen painted these words at the front of the church. Isaiah 6:3. Helig, Helig, Helig ar herren Zebooth.  Translated "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Hosts."  The beautiful altar picture, The Good Shepherd, was painted by Kenny Erickson in 1931.

There was a split in the church with some of the members starting a Free Church.  Mt. Hermon split with St. John's in 1962.

Annandale History Club Secretary

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Below is a transcription of Paul Johnson's notes:

HISTORY OF MT. HERMON LUTHERAN CHURCH

1875-1878:  Swedish immigrants came to Middleville Township.

1878-1880:  Swedish immigrants came to Albion Township.

1881-1895:  J. S. Nilson - Pastor

May 2, 1881:  Congregation organized.  They met in a schoolhouse near Boom's Bridge (on County Road #6).  Pastor J. S. Nilson was pastor and chairman, with a salary of  $50/year.  41 communicants and 41 children as charter members.  Named "Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Albion and Middleville."

1883:  One acre of land was purchased for a church on the southeast corner of County Road #35 and #6, being of equal distance from the two Swedish communities, but as this was in a German community with none of the church members near, it was decided to discontinue at this place in 1917.  Purchase price was $16.00 and was sold for $125.00.

1888:  Congregations divided into two districts - Albion and Middleville with two church buildings with the same pastor and officers.

1889:  Mt. Hermon Church was built one fourth mile north of Camp Lake.

1891:  Middleville Church built. Discontinued in 1950.

1894:  Sunday School started. Ladies Aid started. Missionary Society started.

1895-1898:  B. O. Berg, Pastor

1896:  Parsonage built. Sold in 1958.

1897:  Balcony erected.

1898-1901:  A. J. Elmer, Pastor

1901:  Alter and pulpit installed.

1902-1905:  B. O. Berg, Pastor

1904:  Tower and sacristy built.

1905:  Bell installed - $75.00

1905-1908:  Olaf Wallin, Pastor

1906:  Pews purchased - $123.33.

1908-1912:  Matties Peterson, Pastor.

1912-1945:  Alex Sand, Pastor [Rev. Alex Sand obituary]

1913:  Luther League started; changed to Family Night in 1964.

1928:  Language changed to all English.

1931:  Sheet metal put on walls and ceiling of church. Altar painting installed.

1938:  Electricity installed.

1946-1952:  Andrew Hanson, Pastor

1949:  Name changed from Hermon Lutheran Church to Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church, named after high mountain in the Holy Land where Christ was transfigured.

1952-1957:  David Vikner, Pastor

1955:  Complete basement and kitchen built. Well dug and plumbing installed.

1960:  New piano

1957-1961:  Donald Carlson, Pastor

1962-1966:  Kurt Gust, Pastor

1967-1969:  Jares Brown, Pastor

1969-1980:  Wilson Fagerberg, Pastor

1971:  New narthex built.

1972:  New Conn 2 manual organ

1980-1982:  Philip Blom, Seminarian

1981:  Basement and kitchen enlarged and Fagerberg room built.  Steel siding applied to exterior of church building.

1982-1992:  Ted. C. Peterson, Pastor

1990:  Basement refinished with new walls and ceiling and new floor in the kitchen.

1991:  Interior of church painted.

1998:  Words from Isaiah 6:3 painted above the altar by Charles Tiegen.

1993-2001:  Leatrice Tiegen, Pastor

2003:  Julie Malone, Pastor

2003:  New roof put on church.

2004:  Handicap ramp installed.

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The Church cemetery is located on the south side of the church building.  An addition has been added on the east side of the original plot.

In 1986, the Horsch family donated a piece of land on the north side of the church property in memory of their parents, Gaylan and Eunice; sister, Emily; and brother, Ryan, who died in a car accident October 9, 1983.

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OBITUARY: Rev. Alex Sand (1873-1952)

Rev. Alex Sand, a native of Vestergotland, Sweden, was born July 29, 1873, a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Sand.  At the age of 12 years he accompanied his parents to America.  The family settled at East Union, Carver County, Minn.  After graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1894 and attending the Augustana Seminary in Rock Island, Rev. Sand was ordained in 1899.

Rev. Sand served various parishes and engaged in service for the mission field until 1912, when he came to Wright County, Minn.  For 33 years, until his retirement from the active ministry in 1945, he served with zeal and faithfulness the parish that includes the congregations of Mt. Herman, Annandale, and Nylunda.  Rev. Sand's death occurred Tuesday, January 8, 1952, in Cokato, Minn.

Services were at the Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church, Friday, January 11, 1952, with interment at the Mt. Herman Lutheran Cemetery.  Clergymen officiating were Rev. Andrew Hanson, Annandale, and Dr. Paul H. Andreen, Mankato.

Honorary Pallbearers were Rev. N. William Anderson, Watertown; Rev. Paul Gustafson, Maple Plain; Rev. Clarence Peterson, Monticello; Rev. K. Alvar Persson, Buffalo; Rev. C.E.T. Peterson, Stockholm; Rev. A.C. Edstrom, Knapp.

Active Pallbearers were Howard Allen, Edwin Anderson, Joe Johnson, William Anderson, Emil Larson and Victor Berg.

Music was by Mrs. Hillard Titterud, organist, Mrs. Ben Hanson and Elmer Allen.