Kiron Evangelical Free Church
History Collection
Kiron Free Church History
Table of Contents
1915 Article on New Church Building
1938 Article in Odebolt Chronicle
The origin of this church started with discontent in the late 1870's in the Baptist church. It is recorded that there were some who were unhappy with the pastor. Remember that pastor John Ring was selected by 'casting lots' after a three way split in the congregations vote on selecting a new pastor. There were some who were unhappy with doctrine. The influence of the 7th Day Baptists later known as 7th Day Adventists was still present in the community. And then there were some who were very upset with the process of formal organizational incorporation procedures taking place in the Baptist church. It was this last point which seemed to be the 'straw that broke the camels back' and precipitated a drop in the Baptist membership from over 150 down to 36. This was not a casual occurrence. The emotional feeling of the dissidents was so great that the Baptists had to cease holding evening church services for their own safety!
Although a relatively common practice of drawing up incorporation papers might seem to be insignificant to us today, one must not forget that there were a great many Swedes in the area who had some pretty strong feelings about the 'structure' of the state church in Sweden and had memories of how state authority could have negative effects on their freedom. These are suspicious feelings that can easily be flamed by the few for their own purposes. It is also interesting to note, that many of those who were overcome by these emotional feelings were welcomed back into the Baptist church in the years that followed.
Although in the beginning the dissidents chose to call themselves "The Church of God", it wasn't long before the expression "Free Baptists" began to appear in references to them. And it is interesting to note that several were still using that expression to identify their religious affiliation as late as 1895. The term "Evangelical Free Mission" was one of their more official names and "Evangelical Free" and just "Free" were also used.
In this collection should be various articles documenting the churches activities in its first setting when its church building was located at the northwest corner of the present day Kiron cemetery as well as its relocation to a site in Old Kiron. Then, it would be nice to include history of its long existence in the town of present day Kiron. We have located some fragments and are including them here. Additional material whether text or photo (especially the older ones) to enhance the rich history of this organization is always welcome.
Kiron Evangelical Free Church Building History
(From an old newspaper clipping probably the Kiron News.)
The Dedication of New Free Mission Church
In the primitive era of the settlement of this locality by the Swedish people, who had immigrated from their native land to here build and locate their future homes, and who in observing people, who love their God and His church, their interests were soon drawn towards organizing themselves together for the purpose of religious work in their new found home. In this their plan they adopted the teaching and plan of the Bible as their principles and creed. For many years their religious gatherings were held in the homes and school house which had been erected and were conducted by local laymen or visiting ministers As time passed on, differences in views on certain doctrines became the course of a rupture in the heretofore unity of the little band which finally terminated in a division. Notwithstanding this discouragement the band continued to meet in homes and schoolhouses to praise and worship their God and Creator and to expound the teachings as laid down in the New Testament as they understood it. As time went it became necessary in order to meet the demands of continuing successfully the work that a permanent place of worship had to be secured where meetings could be held regularly and where there would be ample room for all that wished to come and attend. The question was launched and the undertaking discussed at a gathering held on January 22, 1888 which finally terminated in a decision to build a church provided sufficient funds could be secured which would warrant the payment for same. A committee was appointed which consisted of Benson and Peter Johnson (both at present residents in Kiron to proceed with the arrangements for erecting the building. It was to be 36 feet long and 24 feet wide. The location of the building was decided to be on the Peter Olson farm near the Kiron cemetery for which site thirty dollars was paid. The contract for it’s erection was given to William Bros. at Odebolt, who in a short while had the building completed. It was a memorable time in the history of the church when the new home was dedicated. Rev. G. A. Young, at present the chairman of the Free church (missing parts)
the site now owned by Lars Swenson, who purchased the ground and parsonage years later. When the railroad come through and new Kiron was located, the congregation again decided to move the church building. This was done in the year of 1899. The following year the parsonage was erected. During this time we find from the records that the following ministers had served the church. Rev. J. A. Axelson, G. A. Young, A. Hedling, A. Wickstrom and Rev. A. Modig. The latter served the church at the time it was located in old Kiron and during the time it was moved into the new town and was the first minister to live in the town and the little church was the first church. Rev. Modig very successfully served the church up to the year 1901. He was succeeded by Rev. David Anderson, who accepted the call tendered him by the church and filled the pastorage up to September the following year. In April 1903 Rev. N. Wicksel, of Ludington, Mich. who had been given a call, moved to Kiron and served the church as its pastor until 1904, when Rev. E. S. Swensson, of Rockford, Ill. took charge of the congregation. Rev. N. Wicksel moved away from Kiron to Nebraska where he had accepted a call, taking with him a Kiron girl as his wife, Miss Alice, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Lundberg. Rev. Swenson conducted the pastorate work until early in the year 1906 and was succeeded by Rev. Frank Lavine, who held a charge at Alta, Iowa, and served the church until in the spring of 1908 when Rev. F. A. Dahlberg was secured by the church to become its pastor and who remained and assisted in the church work during the remainder of the year and a part of the following year. In the spring of 1910, Rev. A. J. Youngberg took charge of the work and continued until in the fall of the following year. Irwin Johnson was chosen to take charge of the meetings at this time and a little later during the year of 1912 was tendered a call to take charge of the work, which he accepted and was so successfully conducted up to the present time. Irvin is a home boy -- born and grew up into manhood in this locality and only several years ago his life’s course, career and ambition was (missing parts)
has put forth to the best of use under God’s leadership and is doing a work in our midst for the kingdom of God and the preaching of the gospel that is bearing fruit. It soon drew large audiences to the old church to listen to the Gospel story as presented by the home boy in a very impressive and convincing way. His conversion, upright life and work for the church stands as a convincible and indisputable evidence of what the gospel of Jesus Christ and His salvation can do for a person when it is accepted and followed. The little church soon became too small to house the people that came and gathered to listen to the gospel story beside being most inconvenient (missing parts)
member of the committee, August Linman moved to Omaha when E. E. Clauson was appointed to fill the vacancy in the committee. After a few councils and seeing the divine will and assurance of His blessing and help, a decision was soon formed to proceed with the erection of a new church. From the start the committee worked and planned most practically and efficiently and as the result, the beautiful and cost commodious building today stands on the same site where the old building stood. The old church was sold for $200 which money was put in the towards the erection of the new church. The congregation being small, it relied on the help of friends and (missing parts)
into one. The floor is both slanting and bowled. Assembly chairs, very comfortable have been installed in the two rooms. A large basement is under the entire church in which has been arranged a large dinning room where meals can be served at special meetings and conferences. There is also a storage room, coal and fuel room and a large furnace room equipped with a first class furnace which will amply heat the entire building and is so arranged with a shut off that either room or both can be heated. The new bell, which is the only one in town, has already caused considerable favorable comment and the church has been commended upon (missing parts)
not alone to the Free Mission Society, but to the entire town and surrounding country. Many visitors have voiced their sentiments that it is one of the neatest and most practically arranged churches they have seen. In its erection considerable gratis work was done by the members and others. Some ninety loads of sand were contributed by Mrs. Hannah Carlson. The building work was pushed and completed sooner than could have been expected.
The dedication service and meeting took place last week commencing on Thursday evening and continuing over Sunday. The first meeting on Thursday was conducted by Rev. F. O. Dahlberg, of Madrid. The forenoon and afternoon sessions on Friday were devoted to prayer, discussions and preaching services and in the evening an able sermon was preached by Rev. A. Hallen, of Minneapolis. The Saturday services were similar to the ones the day previous with preaching services conducted by Rev. J. H. Headstrom of Chicago. On Sunday morning Rev. O. Holmes of Beresford, gave a most interesting talk to the children, which they no doubt will profit by and long remember. The forenoon service was attended by a crowded church and conducted by Rev. Headstrom, Chicago. The dedication service was held in the afternoon. The sermon was delivered by Rev. A. E. Hallen, of Minneapolis and his discourse which was presented in his very impressive way will long be remembered. Rev. J. H. Headstrom had charge of the dedication rites and was assisted in same by Rev. Hallen, Rev. Irvin Johnson, Rev. A. Samuelson, Rev. F. L. Johnson, Rev. Oscar Holmes and Rev. Oscar Dahlberg. Rev. Irvin Johnson, the pastor and a member of the building committee, read a report that imparted the pleasing information that the proceeds of the sale of the old church and subscribed pledges towards the building amounted to $5,893.70 and the total cost of the new building was $5,566.99 which left a balance of $326.71. The report was a surprise to many and not very easy to comprehend by many but for God, all things are possible and His will and favor (Missing parts)
allowed to rule and lead, in that measure will he prosper and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. Many a Christian has been strengthened and encouraged, many a soul was changed and found its saving through the efforts of this small church and it is the church’s desire and motive that in the future it may be a true home for Christians, a help to all, and a saving station for those who are journeying toward eternity without the glorious hope and salvation in Jesus Christ. May God’s blessing rest over the church and it’s promising young pastor. Two from within its circle have been ordained into the ministry, Rev. Irvin Johnson, its present pastor and Rev. John Cedargren, now having a charge at Oakland, Nebraska. The dedication services were attended by unusually large numbers and the gatherings will be remembered as among the largest in Kiron. Many came by auto from Albert City, Marathon, Meriden and Boone and visitors were present from five states. The present officers of the church are: Gust Sander, chairman, Olaf Sandeen, Secretary, E. E. Clauson, Treasurer, Board of Trustees: Olaf Sandeen, A. F. Lundberg and O. F. Tellgren. Rev. Irvin Johnson, Sunday School Superintendent, Rueben Tellgren, Secretary, Mamie Lundberg, Assistant Secretary, Esther Anderson, Sunday School Treasurer. The pastor and the church extend an invitation to all to meet with them in their new home to praise and worship God and to listen to the gospel.
Kiron Evangelical Free Church 1938 History
(First printed in the 1938 Odebolt Chronicle.)
Evangelical Free Church Organized in November, 1880
The Swedish Evangelical Free church of Kiron was organized 4 November 1880 and incorporated in 1888. The Sunday school was organized in April 1897. The original church building was constructed in the fall of 1888, one and one-half miles southeast of town, was moved to Old Kiron in 1897, and then to the present location at Kiron in 1900. The present building was erected in 1914, and was dedicated the same year without any encumbrance.
The following ministers, in the order named, have served the church during its existence; G. A. Young, E. Hedling, A. Wickstrom, C. J. Chader, Andrew Modig, David Anderson, Nels E. Wicksell, Capt. E. S. Swenson, Frank Lavine, F. O. Dahlberg, A. J. Youngberg, Irving A. D. Johnson, H. Sundberg, John Cedergren, B. W. Clover, Paul Meyers, H. E. Sodergren, H. A. Faugerstrom and the Rev. F. H. Stair who is the present pastor.
Copyright ©2024, by the Crawford County, Iowa
IAGenWeb Project and Contributors.
