CHURCH HISTORY (up to 1969)
Articles of incorporation of Bristol Lutheran Church were signed Feb. 20, 1892, by trustees A. O. Bakken, T. T. Grosland and L. D. Lien. The first baptism: Carl John Bakken, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Bakken, born Dec. 16, 1891, baptized Feb. 6, 1892; the first marriage: Lars J. Hove and Helene T. Trilhus, April 24, 1892, and the first death: Lovise T. Grosland, May 21, 1892, age 10 years, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. T. Grosland.
The first confirmation class on July 1, 1894, included Kattrine Mellum, Addine Trilhus, Justine Godtland, Pauline Haugen, Kjerste Tunge, Martin Johnson, Albert Trilhus, Thor Grosland, Ole Tunge, Evard Lageson, Karl Lageson, Mathilde Dahl and Pernille Halvorson.
The oldest living confirmand to keep membership in Bristol Congregation is Elmer Tenold. The Ole Tenold family has maintained continuous confirmed membership for four generations in the Bristol Congregation. Elizabeth and Kenneth Tenold, children of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Tenold, grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Tenold, great-grandchildren of Mr, and Mrs. Ole Tenold, are present members.
The oldest living member is Mrs. Julia Sanden, 96. Her sister-in-law, Mrs. Anna Sanden, was 95 when she died in March of 1968. The youngest member is Michael Henderson, 3 mo., son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Henderson.
Some of the earliest families of Bristol were A. Q. Bakken, Thos. Grosland, Lars D. Lien, Halvor Trilhus, Otto Kalgaarden, Gustav Ostmo, Christian Fluto, Ole Tenold, Gustav Godtland, P. Otterson, Arne Reinsmoen, Arne Langberg, Albert Botner, Gulbrand Mellum, Peder Winden, Christian Dahl, Jocum Strom, Ole Sanden, Amund Sanden, Ole Tonga, Christ Halvorson. (The first secretary's book of the church is missing, so our family names are incomplete).
The first Ladies' Aid president was Mrs, P. Otterson. The first Ladies' Aid meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Asle Fluto in 1887. Ten cents was charged for the lunch. The first bazaar was held at Mrs. Pernilla Ingbretson's home.
Pastor Lars Tosdal first held worship services in a township school house and Ladies' Aid meetings in the homes, beginning about 1887. The congregation was organized, and the church was erected in 1892. Considerable remodeling has been done since then, incluing repairs following fee tornado disaster May 10, 1953.
The Bristol Church was built on the corner of the Jokum Strom farm. His granddaughter, Mrs. Dora Turbeck, and great-grandson, Clinton are now living on the farm and are members of Bristol.
In 1969, the officers of Bristol Congregation were: President: Arnold Kallheim; secretary, Clifford Tenold; treasurer, Arthur Sanden; trustees, Joseph Halvorson and Wallace Winden, deacons, Lars Ballandby, Ed Trustem and Elton Peterson; and ALCW president, Mrs. Arnold Kallheim; vice president, Mrs. Ardell Henderson; secretary, Mrs. Joseph Halvorson; treasurer, Mrs. Clifford Tenold; secretary of education, Mrs. Lily Olson and secretary of Mrs. Dora Terbeck.
The following pastors have served Bristol; L. Tosdal -1889; N. E. Boe 1889-1909; A. L. Huus 1909-1910; 0. C. Brenna 1911-1919; R. Malmin 1919-1920; H. Rosenquist 1921-1933; H. E. Fosnes 1933-1936; O. C. Hellekson 1936-1943; C. H. Notsund 1943-1957; H. O; Gilbertson 1958-1960; B. E. Nyjordet 1960-1963; interim pastors from Waldorf College staff; N. P. Hanson 1963-1966; J. M. Haaland (Interim) 1966-1967; A. Sandness 1967-1970.
Source: Lake Mills Graphic, June 18, 1969, section H.
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| H. Rosenquist |
H. E. Fosnes |
O. C. Hellekson |
C. H. Notsund |
B. E. Nyjordet |
Source: Lake Mills Graphic, June 18, 1969, section H.
Syttende mai (May 17th - Norwegian independence day) celebration by the Bristol Ladies dressed in their bunads, ca 1962.
From left to right in back row: Minnie Winden, Alice Nelson, Kari Singelstad, Dagney Lenning, Florence Kallheim, Nora Peterson and Pastor Nyjordet.
In first row: Dora Terbeck, Betty Tenold, Lenora Ballandby, and Lucy Tonga.
Photo contributed by Ron Kallheim.
RECENT HISTORY
Since 1969, the pastors have been Otto Schmitt 1970-1975 Carroll D. Lang 1976-1982 and Allen Stoa 1982-1984. Bristol Church was disbanded in 1984.
The officers of Bristol church at the time of disbanding in 1984 were: Arnold Kallheim, president; Clifford Tenold, secretary; Mrs. Arnold Kallheim, Treasurer.
The chancel furniture, alter, altar picture, pulpit, baptismal font, organ, hymnary board and pews were sold to Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Federal Dam, MN. The church building was torn down and all that remains is the bell and the cemetery.
Transcribed by Gordon Felland, Oct. 31, 2008. Updated April 6, 2011.
Note: Burials in the Bristol Cemetery are given under "Cemeteries" on this web site. |
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