Their Churches - Deer Valley Press

Their Churches
Their Churches
Background
Univ. North Dakota Collection
You cannot study the history of Norwegians in America without
The reverend was said to be a rather, “. . . slight, slender man,
studying their churches. Likewise, you cannot study Osten
but one of physical stamina.” He had no fear of marauding
Pladson without describing his unique ability to build
Indians or the elements, because, “He had
l
fu
ill
a divine mission and that nothing would
handsome homes, and carve
sk
ry
as a ve
sten Pladson w r a span of ten years,
O
:
te
no
l
ca
ri
bar his way.” As he traveled, he met many
beautiful furniture and church
Ove
Histo
e baptiscabinet maker.
carpenter and the altars, and sometimes thLutheran
altars.
settlers, always being invited in. It was said
he constructed its, and railings for six of theLittle Forks
lp
,
pu
94
after each stay with pioneers his carpet bag
ver in 18
mal fonts,
y in 1899,
area: Goose Ri
churches in thengton Prairie in 1898, Bethan1903.
This chapter will highlight ten
of provisions was a little heavier!
in 1897, Washiabout 1902, and Bethania in
churches: the two Lutheran Churches
West Union in
in Newburgh Township (Goose
The reverend’s route of travel was northwest
River and Bethel); the churches for
until he met the Red River, then north to the Hudson Bay
which Osten Pladson carved
Company post at Frog Point (now called Belmont). In 1872,
the altars and other items
Reverend Bernhard Hageboe began organizing a congregation of
(Bethania, Bethany, Little Forks,
early settlers along Goose River.
Washington Prairie, and West
Union); and the three churches
in Hatton.
The first Lutheran minister
in the Red River Valley of the
Dakota Territory was Reverend
Bernhard Hageboe. On a chilly
October day in 1871, Reverend
Hageboe began his walk from
Benson, Minnesota (about 220 Reverend Bernhard Hageboe and his
wife.
miles southeast of Mayville)
carrying his Bible, prayer book, clerical gown, and worldly
possessions in a carpet bag slung over his shoulder. It is said
that the story of his trip was a topic of conversation among the
Norwegian pioneers.
25
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
The first congregation he established was the Aal congregation
between Portland and Hillsboro, Dakota Territory.
was changed to Hol Norwegian
Lutheran Congregation, since
most of the settlers who had
sunk roots in Steele and Traill
Counties were from the Hol
Parish, Hallingdal Valley, Norway,
and they wanted to honor their
home church.
On August 17, 1874, just over two months after Halvor Berg and
his wagon train arrived in the Dakota Territory, he, a group of
pioneers, and the two theological students from Portland met
under a large oak tree near Halvor’s temporary dugout home.
The result of the meeting was the formation of the Goose River
Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Iver Tharaldson (one of the
theological students) was elected chairman, and Halvor Berg,
secretary.
The following families signed up: Hans Stavens, Ole Trageton,
Torkel Mehus, Paul Thompson, Ole Gronbeck, Knut Paulson,
Ellef Pederson, Fingal Enger, Ivar Fecher, Lars Lindstrom, Halvor
Solheim, Thomas Raaen, Halvor Thorson, Anton Nilson, Erick
Oveson, Peder Gulbranson, Nils Korsmo, Halvor Berg, Erick
Pederson, Knut Larson, Lars Mork, Anders Bakken, Peder
Erickson, Nicolai Berg, Andrew Rodningen, Paul Johnson, Amund
Amundson, Ole Rodningen, Thorsten Nyhus, Bernt Thingelstad,
Hans Toreson, Thor Torgerson, Ole O. Berg, Arne O. Berg, Knudt
O. Pladson, Ole Sagen, Peder Thingelstad, Karelius Bye, Peder
Sondreaal, and Nils Mehus.
When Reverend Hageboe returned to Goose River in 1875, he
was asked to serve the Newburgh community; his salary would
be $50 per year. A meeting was held in Knut Paulson’s home
near Northwood. At this meeting, the name of the congregation
26
Courtesy Heidi Tofler
He worked with the settlers for about two years. In the spring
of 1874 he returned to Norway to visit his homeland and rest.
While he was away, two theological students—Andreas Nykreim
and Iver Tharaldson—took over his duties.
Hol Evangelical Lutheran Church,
Hol, Hallingdal, Norway, today.
This church was first mentioned
in historical documents in 1328.
This was the “mother church” of
many of the settlers in Newburgh
Township.
Here you can see the Hol Church (circle), picturesquely
situated near Holsfjord in Norway.
the 13th cened to date fromoldest parish in
um
es
pr
is
ch
ur
urch is the
”
: Hol Old Ch
Historical note act dating is unknown. The ch 28 as a small “stave church;
13
ex
es
e
om
tim
letter fr
several
tury, but th
mentioned in a
been expanded
Hol, and is first de porches. The church has It was rebuilt in 1888 and
with covered si ury, in 1697, and in 1798-99.ch was made using columns
in the 16th centved that the floor of the chur ptismal font are from the
1938. It is belieave church. The pulpit and bace from 1703.
from the old st riod (1697), and the altarpie
Renaissance pe
Their Churches
Aagot Raaen writes this about the Hol congregation:
“At the first service after his return, Reverend Hageboe
baptized Thomas Thompson, and Ragnhild “Laddi” Raaen.
Following the service, Fingal Enger and Hjertrud Nyhus Olson
came walking from the Enger home [about seven miles] to
the Berg home and they were married. Reverend Hageboe
had [brought] along from Norway a stack of hymnbooks and
husandaki books which he readily sold that Sunday.”
“The first confirmation class in
Hol, 1875, had only one pupil,
Ingeborg, daughter of Per and
Kari Nyhus. She later became
the wife of the pioneer doctor,
Faltin Bleckre who lies buried
in the Little Forks churchyard.
The following year, 1876, Peter
Korsmo was also confirmed,
alone. By the fall of 1877 the
class included eight members:
Lauris Jahr, Marit Moen, Oline
Berg (Chantland), all three lived
near Portland; Nils Gronbeck
from Enger Township; Caroline
Korsmo, Andreas Thingelstad,
Oleana Holstad Sagen, [and] Ida
Sagen were from Northwood
community.”
For several years, the site for a
future church was discussed, but
since the congregation members
covered a large area, conflict
developed, and a site was never
selected.
Bethel Lutheran Free Church
Bethel Lutheran Free
Church Parsonage
St. John Lutheran
Church Cemetery
Our Savior
Lutheran Church
Zoar Lutheran
Free Church
St. John Lutheran
Church
Goose River Lutheran
Church and Cemetery
Proposed site for the
Goose River Church
Goose River/Little Forks
Parsonage
27
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
Reverend M. J. Waage
Goose River Norwegian Lutheran Church
On March 28, 1884, another group met at Halvor Berg’s home,
and voted to withdraw from the Hol Congregation and form
the Goose River Norwegian Lutheran Congregation. Reverend
Waage was elected chairman, and E. M. Sondreaal the secretary.
Reverend Waage was asked to become the first permanent
pastor, at a salary of $167 a year. All voting members of the
congregation were asked to contribute 25 cents a year to
help defray local expenses. Services were held at the Mobeck
Schoolhouse, and in the mid-1880s, in the newly-built granary on
the Osten Pladson farm.
On May 12, 1887, Bernhard Tollefson—a theological student at
the time—was asked to become the pastor who would serve
four congregations: Little Forks, Goose River, Hol, and St. Petri.
The four congregations would pay him $600 a year.
28
Beata (Pladson) Bakken said this about
their first years in the Newburgh
Township:
“[I] was fourteen years old when
father, built the Goose River Church
in 1888. This was the year after the
large house was built. When the
church was up part way—frame
up—a cyclone came and took down
the Goose River Church. [I] remember
looking from home—and we could
see that the church was gone—
nothing standing.”
Jeannette Newman Family Collection
nd
: After this seco
Historical note inal congregation,
split of the origof the Hol Lutheran
what was left formed a new
Congregation Northwood, where
congregation in built a church.
they eventually
On November 21, 1887, the congregation met and decided to
begin gathering funds for a church. Two parcels of land were
offered for the site of the new church. Peder Gulbranson offered
an acre of his land for a church
and cemetery in the northeast
corner of Section 20, and Knudt
O. Pladson offered an acre of land
in his quarter in Section 17. The
congregation accepted the Pladson
site because it was closer to the
center of the congregants, and it
was a nicer site. Construction of
the new church began in 1888,
but in 1889, before it could be
completed, it was destroyed by a
tornado. The building materials
Reverend Bernhard Tollefson was
that could be salvaged or saved
the pastor at the Goose River
were gathered and stored for the
Church from 1887 to 1905.
eventual building of a new church.
Pladson Family Collection
In 1877, part of the congregation
(which lived south of Hatton),
withdrew and organized the Little
Forks Congregation. In 1878, Reverend
Hageboe left the Hol Congregation—
his replacement was Reverend M. J.
Waage.
Beata (Pladson) Bakken
(1873-1968)
Their Churches
Ann (Berg) Beye
r Family Collect
ion
“They waited about two years and then started building
again. The church was not quite finished for [my] wedding
on June 24, 1894. Lewis Thompson, Nicolai Berg, and Osten
Pladson were the ones that really saw that Goose River
Church was built. They were the ones that gave the money.”
d
nated by Edwar
ted on land do e of the places
ca
lo
e,
us
ho
ol
Mobeck Scho SE¼, NE¼, Section 8, was on
Mobeck in the were held.
where services
s. If you look
es and baptismthe second
ic
rv
se
r
fo
ly
al
d the door to se River Conas used occasion
is dressed up an
oo
son granary w
The Osten Pladpicture, you can see everyonea Sunday morning, and the G
ly
is
ab
th
ob
at
y
pr
is
closel
ary is open—it
adson farm.
floor of the graning to hold services on the Pl
gregation is go
By 1891, the congregation began plans to raise funds to
begin rebuilding the church. Money was very “tight,” so they
developed a plan to ask each farmer to donate the crop from
one acre of each quarter they operated to the building fund. This
fund was aptly named the “God’s Acre” plan.
tion decided toow
: The congrega
Historical note t was so broke, it had to borr
incorporate, bu fee from the Ladies Aid!
the $7.50 filing
29
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
Teie Family Collection
Osten Pladson was a very talented architect and carpenter. He
was put in charge of building the new church. Construction
began in 1893. (For more information on Osten Pladson, see
page 152.)
This picture was taken in 1893; framing of the church was moving right along. Osten Pladson was the designer, supervisor of construction,
and carpenter. Here he is at the top of the structure pounding a nail (circle)—if you can’t find Daniel Bjerke, he is standing behind the post in
the center, bottom of the picture (circle).
30
Pladson Family Collection
Their Churches
This picture was probably taken in about 1895; the church is still under construction. You can see the roof and steeple
have not been shingled, so it is doubtful any detailed interior work had been started.
31
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
Kjersti, Aagot Raaen’s beloved sister, wrote this for Aagot’s book,
Grass of the Earth, about her first Christmas tree:
“We have a new church. It is so big that there are
seats for everyone, and it isn’t a bit crowded.
Osten Pladson built it. He must be smart to be
able to build a house like that! Last night we
were in church to see the Christmas tree. It was
the first one I had seen, a big evergreen that
stood ’way up in the front of the church.’ Chains
made from red berries and colored paper were
hanging from the branches; on the twigs were many, many
candles that twinkled like stars.”
In 1894, Osten began construction of the altar, altar ring, pulpit,
gallery banister, and baptism font. Osten was paid $85.90 for
these pieces. In 1895, the church bell was brought in and
installed. In 1898, just before it was dedicated, an organ was
given to the church by a “young girls’ society.” The new Goose
River Church was finished and dedicated in 1898—its final cost
was $885.
“It was so cold last night that on the way home I froze my
legs; they are red and swollen now and, oh, how they hurt!
I shall have to stay in the house till they are healed. But I
am glad I saw the Christmas tree with all the candles that
twinkled like stars . . . .”
Pladson Family Collection
“Some children spoke pieces and there was singing; then
the minister preached, but I don’t remember much of that
because I was watching the candles twinkling and twinkling.
Under the tree, were many packages with people’s names on
them! Bernhard Tollefson, our new minister, read the names
aloud. Each one went up to get a package; some got many
packages. It was fun to see them being opened. Some people
were glad, some surprised, and some looked displeased; I
think they didn’t get what they wanted. Someday maybe I’ll
get a present on the Christmas tree—I wonder what it will
be!”
Goose River Lutheran Church in 1900.
32
Their Churches
Goose River Lutheran Church was a magnificent “house of God,” both inside
and out. This picture shows the choir loft and beautiful kerosene light fixture.
From left to right: a Thompson, a Bye, A. S. Thompson, unknown, and John
Bye.
Over the years, there were some changes to the church. In 1912
a chapel was added, and in 1917, the interior was redecorated
and the pew configuration was changed to add two more aisles.
In 1935, the Ladies Aid built a kitchen addition to the west side
of the church.
Pladson Family
Collection
Pladson Family Collection
Thompson and A. O. Rigrud, from the Little Forks Lutheran
Church, went west to bring Reverend Tollefson’s remains back for
burial in the Goose River Church cemetery.
r for the
was the ministe
nd
la
ke
Ei
J.
.
A
to
1905 1940.
Reverend
regation from
ng
Co
r
ve
Ri
se
Goo
In January, 1905, Reverend A. J. Eikeland was installed as the
new minister. On June 9, 1905 Sophia Pladson, the youngest
daughter of Osten and Hage Pladson, died. Her funeral was wellphotographed—these pictures show us how the “old” church
looked.
In the fall of 1904, Reverend Tollefson left Goose River to preach
in McKenzie County. Unfortunately, he died a year later. Lewis
33
Pladson Family Collection
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
Pladson Family
Collection
Sophia’s body was prepared for burial at home. In this picture you can see
the casket and hearse ready to transport her remains to the church for
the service and burial. There are three people viewing the casket who can
be identified. The first is Torger Midboe, Sophia’s grandfather; the others
are her parents, Osten and Hage Pladson (circles).
Pladson Family Collection
ch. The lead
r Lutheran Chur e second unit is
ve
Ri
se
oo
G
at
ession arrives Eikeland, the new minister. Thy. Their buggy is
The funeral proc
by Reverend
,
the family bugg
en
iv
carriage is dr wed by Sophia’s parents in at pull it; Osten’s favorite team
llo
th
fo
,
es
se
rs
hite ho
the hear
rse barn.
d by the two w
easily identifie e building to the left is the ho
Bob and Jim. Th
During the funeral, the casket is just in front of the altar ring
and altar. Reverend Eikeland (circle) is seated to the right of the
altar. The organist is probably Mrs. Margit (Aasen) Mark.
34
Their Churches
This is the new parsonage that was built for Reverend Tollefson in 1898. It
was located between Goose River and Little Forks Churches.
Goose River Lutheran Church Collection
Pladson Family Collection
For about eight years, Reverend Tollefson lived on his farm and
used his home as a parsonage, but this was becoming a problem.
In 1898 he sold the farm to Sam Thompson, and moved into a
parsonage that was built part-way between Goose River and
Little Fork Churches. The parsonage site is in Section 34, right
near Anton Berg’s new home.
In 1912, a chapel has been added.
35
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
Thompson Family Collection
ily Co
Thompson Fam
llection
r in about
ngregation Choir Midboe,
Co
r
ve
Ri
se
oo
w: Halvo
This is the G
to right. Back ro
Berg. Middle
1910. From leftJohn L. Thompson, and Olaf Eikeland,
e,
or
st
Tollef Midbo boe, Sophia Midboe, Pa
own, Tobias
row: Signe MidFront row: Anne Berg, unkn
n.
n.
and unknow
n, and unknow
Midboe, unknow
In 1912, the Goose River and Little Forks congregations gave Reverend Eikeland a new
Overland automobile. Here he is with his family.
36
Pladson Family Collection
Pladson Family
Collection
Their Churches
the 1960s. It
eran Church in
ver Luth
This is Goose Ri
.
od
G
House of
tiful
was such a beau
Goose River Lutheran Church in the late 1930s.
37
Pladson Family Collection
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
This picture was taken at Christmas in 1945. You can see the Christmas tree on the left, and new candelabra built by Halvor Pladson—Osten’s oldest son.
Halvor can be seen in the picture (circle).
38
Pladson Family Collection
Their Churches
Goose River Lutheran Church and its altar were beautiful. Notice that the pulpit has been shortened and moved, and the door behind or to
the right of the pulpit has been removed.
39
Pladson Family Collection
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
This is the way we will remember the Goose River Lutheran Church; stately and pure as snow. To the authors of this book, the Goose River Church is
especially important. Members of their families built the church and altar, were baptized, confirmed, married, and even buried there.
40
Their Churches
At about 4:30 in the morning on Thursday, May 12 of 1983,
lightning struck Goose River’s bell and bell tower
starting a fire that destroyed the church, the altar, and
most of the church records and pictures stored there.
It is a loss that cut deep into the hearts of the whole
community.
A new church was built. The altar and pulpit were
built by Osten Pladson’s great-grandson, Ernie Teie.
The Goose River Church and Cemetery,
today. Although the building is new
and very different, the people and their
histories remain the same.
Many of the early pioneers of Newburgh
Township rest here, near Goose River.
41
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
Bethel Lutheran Free Church
On March 19, 1901, several members of the Goose River
Congregation met at Ole Dahl’s home to begin the Bethel
Lutheran Free Church in Newburgh Township.
God
lly teaches that
The charter members
Church genera al’s choice that will
ee
Fr
an
er
th
dividu
: The Lu
of this new church
Historical note and present—and it is the inopen-minded as to the
st
e
pa
or
e
m
th
le
s
se River
a litt
know
(some of them charter
bers of the Goo
ture. They are
set his or her fume of the scripture. Some mema “free” church, and they
members of both the
meaning of so felt they needed to worship in is—thus the split.
Hol and Goose River
Congregation sburg Seminary in Minneapol
supported Aug
congregations) were:
Nicolai Berg; Anne
Berg; Engebret Sondreaal; Ole Solem; William Olson
and his wife; Ellef Nubgaard; Oscar Thompson; Gilbert
Dahl; Knut Berg; Birgit Sondreaal; Ole Dahl and his wife
and daughter; Ole Aasen and son, John; Paul Thompson
and his wife; Thomas Thompson; Gulbrand Norgaard;
Thor Torgerson; Even Sondreal; Tosten Raaen; and Syver
Norgaard. Reverend H. S. Quanbeck—pastor of the
Lutheran Free Church of Aneta—was also present.
Steele County Historical Society Collection
At the organizational meeting, Nicolai Berg was elected
president, and E. M. Sondreaal, secretary. On September
22, 1902, Reverend Nils Halvorson was installed as their
first resident pastor. A schoolhouse (probably the Mobeck
Schoolhouse) was being used as a place of worship.
The Bethel Lutheran Free Church was built about ½-mile north, northeast of Goose River
Church. It was dedicated on November 13, 1904. The congregation was disbanded on
November 15, 1964; the church was sold.
42
Thor Torgerson donated a tract of
land for a church and cemetery. Since
Reverend Halvorson was a carpenter,
he supervised the building of the new
church; construction started in 1902,
and the building was completed within
a year. The church was dedicated on
November 13, 1904.
Over the years there were many
pastors who were called to serve;
most of them were shared with other
Lutheran Free churches in the area.
Bethel Lutheran Free Church Collection
Their Churches
On November 15, 1964,
the congregation held
a memorial service and
disbanded. The church
was sold. A cemetery
committee was formed,
and they continue to
maintain the cemetery.
Bethel Lutheran Free Church Collection
Reverend Nils Halvorson
Pastor 1901-1903, 1923
The Bethel Lutheran Church Parsonage in 1906. Those standing in front of the
parsonage constitute the confirmation class for that year.
43
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
Bethania Lutheran Church
The Lutheran farmers west of Northwood had to walk or drive
five to eight miles to attend church. In 1896, a Ladies Aid group
was formed with the primary goal of building a church closer to
them. In a relatively short period of time, $2,500 was raised for
the church. On January 11, 1900 at the home of Ole Ellingson
Hilden, Reverend Albert Johanson chaired a meeting that formed
the Bethania Lutheran Church.
Construction began immediately. Upon completion, only a
couple of services were held, as crops were planted and summer
was upon them. Then, on the night of July 4, 1900, the new
church burned.
Northwood Historical Society Collection
The congregation decided to rebuild. At some point, Osten
Pladson was asked to build the altar and other altar furniture for
the church. The altar that he crafted is dated 1903. The Bethania
Lutheran Church congregation held regular services on this site
for close to 90 years before the doors were closed.
This is a picture of the original Bethania Lutheran Church, located
about five miles west of Northwood, North Dakota. It burned to
the ground on July 4, 1900.
44
Their Churches
Pladson Family Collection
Osten Pladson is finishing up the construction
of the new altar for Bethania Lutheran Church.
This was his most elaborate altar. Note the
foot-powered jigsaw, and the date in Roman
numerals; 1903.
45
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum Collection
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
Reverend Sven Hanson Njaa, standing in his new church with its new altar.
46
Their Churches
In 1978, staff from Vesterheim NorwegianAmerican Museum in Decorah, Iowa, published
a book about the Norwegian wood carvers.
The work of Osten Pladson and the altar he
created for Bethania are featured in this book.
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum Collection
When the church came up for sale some twelve
years later, the museum was well-aware of the
historic significance of this church.
47
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
Bethania Finds a New Home
The church struggled as the number of people it served began a
dramatic decline. With the newer farm equipment, it took fewer
and fewer people to operate them, and attendance dwindled.
The last church service was conducted by Reverend Victor Saude
in May, 1989.
The church was cut into three pieces (the building, the roof
structure, and the steeple), and trucked via back-country roads
from five miles west of Northwood, North Dakota to downtown,
Decorah, Iowa.
The Bethania Lutheran Church of Northwood,
North Dakota had a new home—the only
problem was, it was over 500 miles to the
southeast! Needless to say, moving it and
returning it to its original state was both time
consuming and expensive. But, it would be
well worth it.
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum Collection
The congregation had decided to disband and
sell the church. Less than two weeks before
the scheduled auction, the staff at Vesterheim
became aware of this pending sale—and they
suddenly became very interested! They had
been raising money for a “church gallery” to be
part of their newly renovated main building.
They learned about the pending auction of the
church in the first several days of July, 1990—
the auction was set for July 14, 1990. By July
29, 1990, Vesterheim and the congregation
agreed to the purchase of, not only the altar,
altar ring, baptismal font, and pulpit—but the
whole church and most of its contents!
These two pictures show the church on its move to Iowa. It was transported in three pieces. At some
points, the main structure had to be jacked up to clear bridge railings. As it got close to Decorah,
some power poles had to be removed.
48
Vesterheim No
ica
rwegian-Amer
n Museum Colle
ction
Their Churches
This is the Bethania Lutheran Church in its new home:
the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in
Decorah, Iowa.
49
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
This is the interior of the restored Bethania Lutheran Church at it’s new home at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Dacorah,
Iowa.
50
Their Churches
The renovated church was dedicated on October 22, 1994. The
daughter of Reverend Njaa, who served the congregation for
over 30 years, and Reverend Saude, the last minister, were in
attendance. It is now one of the prominent features of this great
museum.
ur
: There were fo
Historical note wegian Altar Painters
prominent Nor e 19th and 20th
in America in the was Herbjorn
centuries. Ther rger; and August
Gausta; Arne Bes son, Arnold.
Klagstad and hisuggest that August
Historic notes 000 altar paintings—
painted over 1, g was done by
this altar paintin.
August Klagstad
The restored Osten Pladson Bethania Lutheran Church altar. The painting of Jesus
leaving the tomb on Easter morning was done by August Klagstad. Note that the
painting does not fit the space provided for it. We are sure there is a story, but
have not found any record of it.
51
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
Bethany Lutheran Church
The Bethany Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran
Congregation was organized at the home of
Halsten Baaten on May 27, 1887. Others at the
meeting were: Nels Lillemoen, John Swenson, M.
E. Soliah, Halvor Lee, Charley Lomheim, Peder
Lomheim, and Clemet Gullicks. On January 4, 1890,
the congregation decided they needed a church.
Torger Evenson donated an acre and a half, in
Section 18, Morgan Township. In December, the
board authorized the purchase of the building
materials. The plan was to have the church built by
July, 1891.
In June of 2012, the formation of the Bethany
Lutheran Church celebrated 125 years. As part of
the celebration, the women of the congregation
made 125 quilts for purchase or donation. Quilting
for this event was not unique for the Bethany
congregation; every year they make and donated
them to the mission in Grand Forks, to hospitals,
and to overseas missions.
If you look at the church today, it is easy to see
what the original structure looked like.
52
Pladson Family Collection
In January of 1899, Osten Pladson was hired
to build a new altar and baptismal font for the
Bethany Lutheran Church. He used parts from
the old altar to construct part of the new one. He
also used wood from his grove in the building of
it. He was paid $100 for the altar, and $25 for the
baptismal font. The new altar was in place by Easter
of the same year.
This is Osten Pladson in 1899, working on the altar for the Bethany
Lutheran Church on his farm.
Their Churches
For over a hundred years, the congregation has been worshiping in this lovely church. This picture was taken in May, 2012. Note all of the
quilts, and the magnificent altar.
53
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
This is the Bethany Lutheran Church today.
54
Their Churches
Little Forks Lutheran Church
The Little Forks Lutheran Church Congregation
was organized on December 28, 1877 by Reverend
Bernhard Hageboe, at the Fingal Enger home.
Those present were: Erick Nyhus, Torgrim Olson
Fecher, Johan Olson, Ellef P. Nyhus, Sevat Swenson,
Kolbjorn Olson Livedalen, Amund Amundson,
Bernt Johnson, Gunder H. Stavens, Helge Nelson,
and Fingal Enger.
In 1900, the church was destroyed by another
tornado. Osten salvaged what was left of the altar
and took it home to repair. The rebuilt church was
completed in 1901; Osten returned the altar to
the congregation in just about the same condition
it was in before the tornado! If you know where
to look, you can see the only repairs Osten didn’t
make.
Goose River Lutheran Church Collection
The Little Forks Lutheran Church was completed
in 1885 on a two-acre parcel donated in 1881
by Anders Heslien for a church and cemetery.
Daniel Bjerke and Peter Wold built the 33-by 50foot church. In 1897, Osten built the altar for the
church.
Family notes indicate that Osten Pladson was
also the builder of the steeple for the Little Forks
Lutheran Church.
We are not sure if
Little Forks Lutheran Church in
Enger Township. We are not sure
the steeple was for
if this is the original church, or
the first, second,
the one that was built after the
tornado destroyed the first one.
or both church
buildings.
55
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
This is Little Forks Lutheran Church as it is today. Note that the three windows to the right have been replaced with
one glass-block window, and the front doors are configured a little differently.
56
Their Churches
This is the altar that Osten Pladson carved in 1897 and
repaired in 1901. A close look at the altar today shows the only
damage that Osten did not repair after the tornado destroyed
the church. Note the “wings” on the right are different from
those on the left.
57
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
The Little Forks Lutheran Church altar, pulpit, and baptismal font. We
have records that show Osten Pladson was the builder of the altar
and steeple; we are not sure if he also built the altar ring, pulpit, and
baptismal font.
58
de
his wife, Gjertru
846-1913) and g toward their
(1
r
ge
En
.
G
al
in
ng
Gjertrude, look
e marker for Fi
This is the grav(1847-1913). The statue is of
Nyhus Nelson
homestead.
Their Churches
Jeannette Newman Family Collection
Washington Prairie Lutheran Church
The Washington Prairie Lutheran Church Congregation was
formed on February 1, 1890. Construction of the church began
in 1895; it was dedicated on July 9, 1899. We are not sure when
the altar was carved. The only reference of Osten building
their altar was found in the journal kept by Jeannette (Nelson)
Newman. The
church was closed
in November of
1982, and the
altar was moved
to the Myra
Museum in Grand
Forks, North
Dakota.
Washington Prairie Lutheran Church.
This is the altar that Osten Pladson built for the Washington Prairie Lutheran
Church congregation in 1899. In 1982 when the church was sold, the altar
was moved to the Myra Museum in Grand Forks.
59
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
The Washington Prairie Lutheran Church altar and altar ring, built by Osten Pladson,
are now on permanent display in the Myra Museum in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
60
Their Churches
West Union Evangelical Lutheran Church
In August, 1885, the West Union Norwegian Evangelical
Lutheran Congregation met and organized. The congregation
met in homes and schoolhouses for years.
ction
an Family Colle
Jeannette Newm
On January 2, 1896, the congregation formed a building
committee. They went right to work, and the church was ready
for use by October. At some point between 1896 and 1904 when
the church was dedicated, Osten Pladson constructed the altar.
It wasn’t known that this was one of Osten’s altars until a picture
of it was found with those taken by Jeannette (Nelson) Newman,
Osten’s great-granddaughter. (Note to the Reader: Jeannette had
asked her great-uncle, Sever Pladson, Osten’s son, to take her to
the various churches which featured his father’s altars.)
ilt by Osten
1950s. It was bue this were
e
th
in
r
ta
al
lpits lik
an Church
e pulpit. Tall pu
t Union Luther
This is the Wes t 1900. Note the height of th
Pladson in abouscrapers.”
known as “sky
The West Union Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church.
61
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
und in the
lls of a letter fo ritten by Ole
te
,
51
19
in
d
as w
blishe
This article, pu Union during a remodel. It w
t
es
W
at
it
it.
lp
lp
pu
ilder of the pu
Stendahl, the bu
The picture to the left was taken in 2013; note how the
altar was shortened in 1951. At some point, the altar
painting was changed, and the arches modified.
62
Their Churches
St. John Lutheran Church
A two-acre plot of land a mile north of
Hatton was donated to the congregation
for a cemetery. The first church was
built on this site. On Pentecost Sunday,
1882, the first services were held in
their new church. An additional 40
acres were purchased one-half mile
west of the cemetery—this is where the
congregation built a parsonage.
Steele County Historical Society Collection
In the fall of 1878, the following names were presented to Pastor
Harstad as those interested in forming the St. John Lutheran
Church Congregation in Hatton: Torger Midboe, Ole Midboe,
Even Midboe, John Erstad, Edward Erstad, Nils Bale, and Mrs.
Kari Bendiksdatter Lee and children. The first meeting of the
congregation was held on November
15, 1879. By 1880, there were fifteen
families in the congregation. On August
12, 1881, Pastor C. J. M. Gronlid was
installed as the first pastor of St. John
Lutheran Church.
It wasn’t long before the church was too
small. Early in 1892, the congregation
decided to build a new church. By the
end of the year, they had raised $4,800
to be used to purchase land and build
a new church. The new church was
built in the summer of 1893; it was
dedicated by the president of the United This is St. John Lutheran Church just after it was finished in 1893.
Lutheran Church, Reverend G. Hoyme, on
November 26, 1893.
63
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
Jeannette Newman Family Collection
The old church was sold and moved to the Stjordalen
Congregation west of Reynolds, North Dakota. In 1897, the 40acre parcel was sold and the parsonage was moved to Hatton.
There have been several changes in the church
structure, but the main part of the structure is the
same as it was over a hundred years ago.
St. John Lutheran Church on March 26, 1930, the day the family buried
Carl Ben Eielson, a home-town hero.
St. John Lutheran Church today.
Hatton
son was born in
el
Ei
in
am
nj
h
Be
: Carl
ton Hig School
Historical note . He was a graduate of Hat me a pilot
on July 20, 1897ity of North Dakota. He beca
ail in Alaska.
and the Univers ar I. After the war, he flew mross the Arctic
ilkins flew ac echanic, Carl
during World W
n and Hubert W
In 1928, Eielso ay. In 1929, Eielson and his mberia while
Ocean to Norwkilled in a plane crash over Si ip stuck in ice.
Borland, were rescue the crew of a cargo sh .
attempting to in Hatton on March 26, 1930
He was buried
64
Their Churches
The St John Lutheran Church altar today.
65
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
Zoar Lutheran Free Church
On November 28, 1898, an organizational meeting was held
at the home of Erick Johnson. It was very evident from the
beginning that the congregation wanted to be affiliated with
the Lutheran Free Church which had officially organized in the
summer of 1897. A committee of three members (Johannes
Kamphaugh, Hellick Dokken, and Erik Johnson) was elected and
instructed to seek temporary pastoral services from Reverend
O. J. Edwards. Reverend Edwards had accepted a call to serve
Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Northwood,
but he had not yet arrived to assume his
work.
It took several years before the interior of the church was
finished and an altar, pulpit, pews, etc., were in place. Electric
lights were installed in 1912.
There have been some changes to the building, but it is pretty
much the way it was when it was built.
The following is taken from the Zoar Lutheran
Free Church Golden Anniversary book
published in 1951:
“About five months later, construction
began on the Hatton Lutheran Church.
Records do not indicate the exact time
when building operations began, but the
project must have moved on rather rapidly
during the summer of 1899, with Nils
Pladson as master carpenter. Minutes of the
next business meeting, October 28, 1899,
state that the church had already been taken
into use, and the cost thus far was $1,539.02
including the $150 paid for the lots.”
Soon after the church was completed, the
oar
congregation changed the church’s name to Zoar
Lutheran Free Church. (Zoar means “place of
refuge.”)
66
an Free Church
The Zoar Luther
altar.
Their Churches
The Zoar Lutheran Free Church today.
67
The Pladsons of Newburgh Township
Our Savior Lutheran Church
On March 30th of 1900, the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran
Church Congregation was formed in Hatton. Those present at
this meeting were: T. R. Tobiason, P. A. Kloster, P. P. Sponheim, P.
L. Wambheim, Christian Tronson, and A. O. A. Kloster. The church
building was built in 1902.
Only two pastors served this congregation: Reverend J.
Thingelstad for the first six months, and then, Reverend A.
E. Lien. Reverend Lien served from January 1903 until the
congregation was disbanded in 1933. The church was sold to Carl
Gulson; he tore it down to reuse the lumber.
Our Savior Lutheran Church was built in 1902. It serviced
the community until it was torn down in 1933.
68
Future Research Needed
While researching the Osten Pladson files at the Vesterheim
Museum, this handwritten note was found. It apparently was
written in 1990 when the museum was taking ownership of
the Bethania Lutheran Church and altar. It references a diary in
the hands of a Halvor Pladson’s niece. We did find the diary of
Jeanette (Nelson) Newman, a niece of Halvor, but there was no
mention of the twenty six churches that Osten and his brother
Nils, may have been involved in.
Is there another diary? If so, who has it? Are there more
churches and altars—we are confident there are. Your
assignment is to find more of their churches, and write a book!