Koren, V. Rev. – 50th Anniversary of Pastorate 1903

KOREN

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 6/14/2021 at 19:37:59

Source: Decorah Republican July 16, 1903 Page 2 Col 3

Golden jubilee.
Next Sunday Rev. V. Koren’s congregation will celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his pastorate of the Washington Prairie church. Such an occasion is an unusual one and it is only right and proper that much should be made of it.

Source: Decorah Republican July 23, 1903 Page 2 Col 4

REV. KOREN’S JUBILEE.
Fiftieth Anniversary of His Pastorate of the Washington Prairie Congregation.
Everything conspired last Sunday to make the golden anniversary celebration of Rev. V. Koren’s pastorate of the Washington Prairie church in Springfield township a memorable one. The spirit of praise and thanksgiving was in the hearts of his congregation and a throng variously estimated at from two to three thousand gathered to pay a tribute that they felt was justly due one who had come as the first minister of his faith to live among them and be their spiritual adviser. That he was the first could not alone furnish the cause for such a testimonial, but more particularly did it lie in the length of his service, each year the links of love and esteem growing stronger and binding pastor and flock in a chain that, God willing, shall go on until he who has been with them so long shall be called to a ministry among the silent hosts. That this day may be long postponed, that Rev. Koren may be spared in both menial and physical vigor for many years, is the wish that is shared by a host of friends, whether they be members of his congregation or not.
The day was an ideal one for the gathering of a large congregation, and in anticipation of the event the grove between the house and the church had been cleared of tall grass and low hanging limbs, a pulpit was built and around this seats were arranged. No attempt was made at extraordinary decoration. None was needed. The occasion was enough to inspire the venerable and reverend pastor to deliver an address that was listened to with marked attention by the throng. The theme of Rev. Koren’s sermon found expression under two heads—the love of the Lord and how to serve him. If we are to love God we will want to consecrate our souls to him, and if we do this we will strive to lead others into the ranks of Christianity. In serving the Lord we may show our faith and Christianity by charity to our fellow men, upholding the church, joining in all its good works and benevolences. It was a sermon of thanksgiving and permitted the presentation of the many good things of life with which the people have been blessed. A season of social intercourse befitting the occasion followed the morning services, after which dinner was served. During the afternoon a second service was held which was opened with an address by Rev. A. K. Sagen of LaCrosse. He spoke quite lengthily upon the service Rev. Koren had rendered to his congregation, how he come to them as the first Norwegian Lutheran minister to locate west of the Mississippi river; what he gave up in leaving the mother country, as well as the pioneer experiences of both himself and his wife—all these were given with more or less detail. He was followed by Rev. M. Borge of the Glenwood church to whom fell the pleasant duty of presenting Rev. Koren with a gift of money from the Washington Prairie congregation. How much this purse contained, we do not know, it was a personal matter between a faithful pastor and his flock, and the public need not—has no right to—know how much it contained. Suffice it to say it was not small, but large as it was the sentiment which prompted it, was of more worth and more highly to be prized than though it were ten times greater.
Among those from a distance who were present at the meeting were Rev. A. K. Sagen of LaCrosse, president of the Eastern district, Rev. Torgerson of Sombre, president of the Iowa district, Rev. S. A. Scarvie of Waterville, Rev. J. J. Linnevold of Edgerton. Wis., Rev. J. Moses of Walcott, N D., besides Rev. Borge, Rev. Torrison, all of the faculty of Luther College who were at home, and large numbers of the Decorah, Calmar, Ossian and Glenwood congregations.