Granite Falls Lutheran Church History
In March of 1945 two churches joined together to make up what is today Granite Falls Lutheran Church. Here is some of the history...
Long ago, the Scandinavian pioneers who settled this area had brought with them a bright religious heritage and way of life. They felt the need of an organized group and place of worship. So it was the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was formed on November 9th, 1876. This church was known as the United Lutheran Church. Their first worship services were held in Torger John's Wagon Shop near the river, and later in the courthouse. The years that followed were years of growth, but not without the problems and pains of growing.
In 1893 there was a conflict over the understanding of Scripture and a division occurred in the congregation. The majority voted to sever connections with the Norwegian Lutheran Synod. The minority who were opposed to this step and who wished to remain members of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod organized a new congregation, First Lutheran, on May 17, 1893. Thus two congregations were in existence; the United Lutheran and First Lutheran from 1893 until 1945.
Points of interest in the history of the United Lutheran Church include:
Points of interest in the history of First Lutheran Church include;
After the merger of the two Lutheran synods in 1917 to which both of these churches belonged, considerable thought, time and effort was given to the possibility of a union of the two congregations. The first efforts in 1917 failed. An underlying hope for union must have prevailed, for in 1942 a joint parish agreement was reached. In 1943 Rev. C.S. Pederson was called to serve the two congregations. After his installation in April of 1944 a more determined effort for union took place. On March 19, 1945, the congregations met jointly to form a new corporation called the Granite Falls Lutheran Church.
At a meeting held on October 29, 1946, it was decided to build the new church on the site of the former First Lutheran Church (South Church) and the Trustees were authorized to purchase the Bruflat property adjoining so as to get an adequate amount of ground space for the Church Building.
The building of the church is the more tangible evidence of material growth. By pledges, special offerings, and dedicated work by the Ladies Aid, $151,000.00 was raised to begin construction. On April 20, 1949, there was a unanimous vote to build a new church. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held on the site of the First Lutheran Church on May 29, 1949. On August 4, construction began on the new church. The following May the cornerstone was laid. The contents of the cornerstone are:
Now the beautiful Kasota stone structure took form. In 1979 a new Reuter Pipe Organ was installed and Formal dedication of the church took place on November 23, 1982. In 1986 an elevator addition on the east side of the church was built. It includes an elevator to all levels.
In 1995, Granite Falls Lutheran Church celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary. It marked fifty years since the joining of the two congregations which had once been divided.
Several other noteworthy changes occurred in the first part of the 90's: Celebration Services were introduced, a hand-bell choir was started, the boards of the congregation were restructured, the home at the west end of the property was purchased and eventually moved, the home west of the parking lot was purchased and was used for a youth house for the youth of the congregation, the basement was air-conditioned, and an endowment Fund was established.
The growing needs of the congregation have since necessitated the need for more wonderful changes and in the years of 2008 till 2012 over 20 rooms have been renovated and updated.
Spiritual growth in a congregation is difficult to measure in specific tangible ways. Yet surely the Spirit has moved in many ways int his church. The degree of intensity of faith is made manifest by action and reaction of the people of God. There is a spirit of peace and harmony in the congregation. Growth in the giving of time, talent and treasures would not be taking place unless members were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Long ago, the Scandinavian pioneers who settled this area had brought with them a bright religious heritage and way of life. They felt the need of an organized group and place of worship. So it was the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was formed on November 9th, 1876. This church was known as the United Lutheran Church. Their first worship services were held in Torger John's Wagon Shop near the river, and later in the courthouse. The years that followed were years of growth, but not without the problems and pains of growing.
In 1893 there was a conflict over the understanding of Scripture and a division occurred in the congregation. The majority voted to sever connections with the Norwegian Lutheran Synod. The minority who were opposed to this step and who wished to remain members of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod organized a new congregation, First Lutheran, on May 17, 1893. Thus two congregations were in existence; the United Lutheran and First Lutheran from 1893 until 1945.
Points of interest in the history of the United Lutheran Church include:
- November 9, 1876, Congregation organized;
- 1881 began construction of the new church;
- April 28, 1882, cornerstone laid;
- June 31, 18878, dedication of new church;
- 1912 basement constructed;
- 1923 North-end addition constructed;
- February 26, 1945, voted union with First Lutheran.
Points of interest in the history of First Lutheran Church include;
- May 17, 1893, congregation organization;
- 1894 began construction of new church;
- July 1, 1894, cornerstone laid;
- September 28, 1902, dedication of new church;
- 1910-1911 basement constructed;
- February 26, 1945, voted union with United Lutheran Church.
After the merger of the two Lutheran synods in 1917 to which both of these churches belonged, considerable thought, time and effort was given to the possibility of a union of the two congregations. The first efforts in 1917 failed. An underlying hope for union must have prevailed, for in 1942 a joint parish agreement was reached. In 1943 Rev. C.S. Pederson was called to serve the two congregations. After his installation in April of 1944 a more determined effort for union took place. On March 19, 1945, the congregations met jointly to form a new corporation called the Granite Falls Lutheran Church.
At a meeting held on October 29, 1946, it was decided to build the new church on the site of the former First Lutheran Church (South Church) and the Trustees were authorized to purchase the Bruflat property adjoining so as to get an adequate amount of ground space for the Church Building.
The building of the church is the more tangible evidence of material growth. By pledges, special offerings, and dedicated work by the Ladies Aid, $151,000.00 was raised to begin construction. On April 20, 1949, there was a unanimous vote to build a new church. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held on the site of the First Lutheran Church on May 29, 1949. On August 4, construction began on the new church. The following May the cornerstone was laid. The contents of the cornerstone are:
- One Bible;
- one hymn Book;
- two catechisms, Sverdrup's Explanation and Grimby's" one Bible History;
- one copy of "the Lutheran Herald" dated May 25, 1950;
- one Annual Meeting Report for 1949 (Synod);
- one Annual Meeting Report for 1949 (Congregation):
- one list of Presidents of the U.S.A.;
- one list of the Governors of every state in the Union;
- one list of Cornerstone-laying Committees;
- one History of the United Lutheran Church, 1876-1945;
- one History of the First Lutheran Church, 1893-1945;
- one History of the Granite Falls Lutheran Church, 1945-1950;
- one copy of the Granite Falls Tribune, dated May 35, 1950;
- one History of the United Lutheran Ladies Aid, one History of the First Lutheran ladies Aid;
- one Photograph of Contents of this Box; one Photo of Architect's Sketch of New Church;
- one Legislative Manual (Blue Book) Minnesota 1949;
- one list of Choir Members.
Now the beautiful Kasota stone structure took form. In 1979 a new Reuter Pipe Organ was installed and Formal dedication of the church took place on November 23, 1982. In 1986 an elevator addition on the east side of the church was built. It includes an elevator to all levels.
In 1995, Granite Falls Lutheran Church celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary. It marked fifty years since the joining of the two congregations which had once been divided.
Several other noteworthy changes occurred in the first part of the 90's: Celebration Services were introduced, a hand-bell choir was started, the boards of the congregation were restructured, the home at the west end of the property was purchased and eventually moved, the home west of the parking lot was purchased and was used for a youth house for the youth of the congregation, the basement was air-conditioned, and an endowment Fund was established.
The growing needs of the congregation have since necessitated the need for more wonderful changes and in the years of 2008 till 2012 over 20 rooms have been renovated and updated.
Spiritual growth in a congregation is difficult to measure in specific tangible ways. Yet surely the Spirit has moved in many ways int his church. The degree of intensity of faith is made manifest by action and reaction of the people of God. There is a spirit of peace and harmony in the congregation. Growth in the giving of time, talent and treasures would not be taking place unless members were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Pastors who have served and are serving these great congregations!
United Lutheran Church
1876-1879 - Knute Tostenson
1879-1893 - Ole Lokensgaard 1893-1906 - H.O. Fjelstad 1908-1931 - M.B. Ericksen 1908-1943 - O.J. Ericksen 1940-1943 - C. Russell Johnson 1943-1945 - C.S. Pederson |
First Lutheran Church
1893-1896 - Gustave Lee
1896-1901 - G.A. Christenson 1901-1908 - C.L. Clausen 1908-1917 - H.O. Svare 1917-1940 - J.O. Wrolstad 1940-1943 - C. Russell Johnson 1943-1945 - C.S. Pederson |
Granite Falls Lutheran Church
1945-1948 - C.S. Pederson
1949-1958 - Hjalmer Hanson
1959-1996 - John R. Bjorge
1960-1965 - T.E. Moen
1966-1973- Edmund R. youngquist
1970-1979 - Theodore C. Knutson
1974-1981 - Robert L. Dahl
1980-1984 - Carl W. Holm
1983-1987 - Gary W. Kubly
1985-1989 - Olando Gunderson
1988-2004 - Bruce A. Kuenzel
1996- 2011 - John R. Bjorge, Pastor Emeritus
1996-2000 - Wayne Mensing
1997-2005 - Liza Simpson
2000-2011 - Robert Knutson
2005-2007 - Jack Koch
2007-2018 - Steven L. Carmany
2011-2018 - Leslie B. Knutson
2019-2022 - Paul Drees
2020-2022 - Mark Manning
2022-Present Interim Pastor Deborah Nissen
1949-1958 - Hjalmer Hanson
1959-1996 - John R. Bjorge
1960-1965 - T.E. Moen
1966-1973- Edmund R. youngquist
1970-1979 - Theodore C. Knutson
1974-1981 - Robert L. Dahl
1980-1984 - Carl W. Holm
1983-1987 - Gary W. Kubly
1985-1989 - Olando Gunderson
1988-2004 - Bruce A. Kuenzel
1996- 2011 - John R. Bjorge, Pastor Emeritus
1996-2000 - Wayne Mensing
1997-2005 - Liza Simpson
2000-2011 - Robert Knutson
2005-2007 - Jack Koch
2007-2018 - Steven L. Carmany
2011-2018 - Leslie B. Knutson
2019-2022 - Paul Drees
2020-2022 - Mark Manning
2022-Present Interim Pastor Deborah Nissen
