THE WEST PRAIRIE CHURCH WEST PRAIRIE LUTHERAN CHURCH 1889-1989 100 QJeaAG ^mckmq nnf( P/fOfiPaiwii/ig There's a small country church by the highway, Oh, stop, speeder, stop on life's highway, Where the hurrying folks it can see, To remember that God reigns above, At a point where it joins with a by-way, Oh, come, weary traveler on the by-way, By a gigantic cottonwood tree. "Come to me," says the Father of Love. It's a little white church with a steeple, "Come to me," says the Lord to the weary, Pointing up to the home in the sky, "Come to me, come and I'll give you rest. That it may point the way to the people— Come to Him, for life's journey is dreary, To the people who hurry on by. Come, the Heavenly home is the best. There's a bell in the steeple so slender, Oh, the West Prairie Church by the highway, Calling people from far and from near. Just a small country church it may be, Oh those bell peals are music so tender, By the cottonwood tree and the by-way, Strains from Heaven they are to my ear. But it points, Father dear, home to Thee. To the north of the Church is God's acre, Oh, long may it stand by the crossroad. Where departed are laid one by one, Pointing travelers upward to God. A warning to all on the highway, That the soul may rest safely in Heaven, That the journey of life soon is done. When the body rests under the sod. by Edward Flugum Dear Friends in Christ, The writer of the book of Hebrews stated, "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son," (Hebrews 1: 1, 2. NIV). In these last one hundred years God has faithfully spoken to the members of the congregation of West Prairie Lutheran Church by His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. The message of God's grace given to us through Christ and the salvation that is ours in Him has been passed on to each generation. With truly grateful hearts we give thanks to God for those who came before us, who in word and deed brought to us the gospel of the kingdom of God and pointed us to a life of discipleship in His kingdom. With joy we offer thanks to God for the privilege and blessing of a century of service to the Lord through this congregation. Pastor Randy A. Hansen On the occasion of this anniversary, our attention is also Dedication February 1985 to present directed to the future. The gospel continues to call us into the We dedicate this book to the early settlers days ahead—days rich in worship and fellowship and ministry who organized this congregation where we as we follow where His Spirit leads us. God's faithfulness in have been provided God's Word and God's the past is a promise for the future. Indeed, we have reason to Sacraments; to those of the present who con• celebrate what God has done, what He is doing, and what He tinue to provide God's Word and Sacraments; will do. We have a great God. What joy to be His people. to those of the future who will, with God's In Him, grace, continue to grow and do God's work. Randy A. Hansen, Pastor Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. f James 1:22 In Appreciation: Thanks to God for His many blessings during our 100 years as a congregation. A special thanks to our pastors who have served so faithfully. Heartfelt thanks to all who have helped make this centennial celebration possible. About the Cover: The front cover picture of West Prairie Lutheran Church was taken by Kathy Hanson in the fall of 1987. The back cover picture of West Prairie Lutheran Church was taken by Arthur Hill in 1961. The poem was written by Edward Flugum, Sunday School Superintendent for many years. 1 and Hans Swenson in the congregation. Motion Forest City. New arrangements were made to West Prairie of Leland—1889-1989 Ambroson, Reinert Reierson, Mathias Olsen, made and seconded that each member haul three form a charge of the congregations of Linden, The First One Hundred Years Reneart Hill, Ole Veiprud, Harold Peterson, Peter loads of stone for the foundation. This was to be Bethany of Thompson, West Prairie and Buffalo Seventeen families continued to worship in the H. Peterson, Hans Swenson, Gustav Olsen, Nils done by May 1, 1891. Center. The four congregations agreed to raise the Huglen schoolhouse. Some of the pastors that Isaacson, Gulick Reierson, S. O. Langerud, Another meeting was held at P. H. Peterson's pastor's salary to seven hundred twenty-five preached were Rev. K. O. Eidahl and T. K. Grims- Harold Haroldson, John J. Holland, John M. home March 3, 1891. A motion was made and car• dollars. On December 18, 1905, Rev. C. S. trud. For awhile this group was called Zion. Grodahl, Torbjorn Halverson, Peder Tolefson ried that the church building should be forty feet Halvorson of Mulsted, Alberta Province, Canada, Gradually, others joined this group until the con• Oakland, L. W. Larson, Elef Thorson, Peter long, thirty feet wide and eighteen feet high. It was was asked to deliver a trial sermon on Christmas gregation became quite large. In 1889, Rev. Ostby Branstad, Martin O. Sather, Anund Bakken and agreed that a committee of five be appointed to Day. In the summer of 1906, Rev. Halvorson ac• organized this congregation as West Prairie CO. Norstrud. The congregation numbered one see that the work was done. This committee con• cepted a call to serve the four churches. Rev. and Norwegian United Evangelical Lutheran Con• hundred souls in 1890. sisted of Rev. Salveson, Hans Swenson, P. H. Mrs. Halvorson moved to Thompson in July of gregation. On October 8, 1890, West Prairie Con• The congregation had a meeting on the 24th of Peterson, S. O. Langerud and Ole Qualey. Each 1906. His initial sermon was at West Prairie on a gregation joined with Forest City Lutheran Con• January 1891. This meeting was at the Huglen member promised to work two days. Anund Bak• Sunday morning, at Linden in the afternoon, and gregation and Linden Lutheran Congregation to schoolhouse. The congregation began to talk ken, the main carpenter, built the steeple. This at Thompson in the evening. extend a call to the Rev. C. S. Salveson. about building a church in the summer of 1891. steeple is one of the highest in the state. West Prairie had a membership of thirty-five Subscriptions were taken which amounted to An article in the September 3rd, 1891, Forest families. These families were: Ole J. Huglen, John $1,000.00. This was not enough money to build a City Summit stated, "The new Lutheran church is J. Huglen, Severt Huglen, Andres Qualey, Ole church. A committee was appointed to raise more rapidly nearing completion. S. Salveson and An• Qualey, S. O. Sather, Ole Ambroson, E. Hanson money. The committee was C. O. Sather and John ton Tolsrud were in Minneapolis last week pur• Amath, Rasmus Hill, Johanes Olsen, Ole Thor- J. Holland in Lake Mills, Rev. Salveson and Gust chasing lumber for the structure." West Prairie son, Knut Larson, Rasmus Rasmuson, Ambrose Olson in Forest City, Ole Ambroson in Leland, Church was completed in September of 1891 and 1 Huglen School cost approximately three thousand dollars. 2 First Parsonage Articles of Incorporation were filed at the 1892 3 Church courthouse in Forest City on April 6, 1891. West Seal* In*ha. ts ih. JIJ, of thg Fifth Principal Meridian.. Prairie Norwegian United Evangelical Lutheran Township 98 North.. Ran^e 24- West Congregation in Winnebago County, State of 7* IV. ZijnirierjnjGLn. Iowa, was the official name. The three trustees 32JO that signed the articles were: Harold Peterson, S. O. Langerud and G. A. Olson. Other officers of the church were P. H. Peterson, secretary, Hans Swenson, chairman of the cemetery. A klok- ker ar kirkesanger to lead singing and give the opening prayer for for Sunday services was also appointed. The Ladies Aid of the church was organized in 1891 with fourteen members. The early pastors either rode horseback or drove a horse and buggy. They came from a distance so most of the time they would stay at the home of a church member. The pastor was always The choir has been active since 1906. In March welcome at the Hans Swenson home. of 1911, Rev. Halvorson resigned from the Buf• Rev. Salveson served the parish until 1904. falo Center church but continued to serve West Pastor Salveson saw the opportunity to found an Prairie, Linden and Thompson. Rev. Halvorson educational institution in Forest City, when the served the congregation for thirteen years. He re• defunct Waldorf Hotel building became available. signed April 6, 1918. Through his inspiration, Waldorf College was Rev. O. O. Andvik was called as Pastor in 1919. founded in September of 1903. He was just out of the seminary. Mrs. Andvik N. C. Brun served as interim pastor until Oc• organized two sewing circles. Luther League was tober 1904. Rev. H. L. Urness was called to be organized in 1921. Rev. Andvik served until 1922. pastor. He served until December 1905. Rev. Johanas Granskou served as interim SO West Prairie congregation separated from pastor for a time.