 See Note #1 Below for Photo Information Click Picture for Larger View
Adapted from MCHENRY COUNTY: Its History and Its People, 1885-1985, Page 670:  Norway Lutheran Church is located twelve miles south of Denbigh on a hill overlooking the Mouse River Valley. It was the first Lutheran congregation in the area and was organized by Rev. O. H. Aaberg on 20 July 1884 at the Erick Espeseth farm.
Charter members were [Note: this list differs from plaque photo]: Johannes Kopperdahl,
Hans Braathen,
John Braathen,
Anton Jevnager,
Erick Espeseth,
Marius Stuterud,
Martin Bredalen,
Lars Hansen, Samuel Koto,
Simen Hestness,
Bernt Hestnas,
Ole Hovlnd and
Petrin Anderson.
In 1886 a log church was built with Rev. Torjus S. Reishus as the first resident Pastor. Plans were laid in 1906 to build the new church on land donated by L. J. Markusen. Actual construction was completed in 1907, however the basement was not constructed until 1929. The church was built of white "Denbigh Brick" and the cornerstone was laid on 19 July 1908. The service was conducted by Rev. E. T. Quam with assistance by the local pastor, Wilhelm
Coll.
The church was dedicated on 22 June 1921. Rev. T. F. Gullixson was the officiating pastor assisted by Rev. L. T. Reishus. Also dedicated at that time were the altar furnishings and pews which were made to order by the St. Luke's Institute of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The pulpit had been purchased by the Young People's Society in 1914.
On 5 August 1934 the Ladies Aid served a special dinner to honor the pioneer members. It also marked their 30th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the congregation. The 75th anniversary of the congregation was celebrated on 28 July 1959 and its 100th anniversary on 22 July 1984.
Since the congregation's organization it has been served by approximately thirty Norway Lutheran Church pastors. The present [1985] pastor is Rev. Larry Olson from Drake.
The present [1985] Norway Church, as did the first log church, is a reflection for the early pioneers and for those who now live in the community.
Information Needed to Qualify for a Historical Place Society of Architectural Historians Map and Pictures Ghosts of North Dakota - Pictures 1967 - Cemetery Burial Listing County Cemeteries Note #1. North Dakota Historical Socienty in black and white photo downloaded from Digital Horizons, Life on the Northern Plains, enhanced and colorized by myheritage.com.
Taken in 1912, photographer unknown. A group of people posed in front of a church. A car is parked to the right. Grass in the foreground. Personal names appended to photo: Ida, Ina, Bertha, Arthur Paul, and Luckas Larson; Dora Berger; Emma Espeseth; Martha Bredahl; John Lolve; Sever Dahl; Minnie Larson; H. D. Halvorson; and Howard and Clarence Vermedal. |
