Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Church
Northwood, Iowa

 

CHURCH HISTORY 1894-1917

NORWEGIAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
TRINITY CHURCH

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Trinity church of Northwood was formally organized on Feb. 5 1891 with a membership of about 100 souls. The first trustees were O. Lucken. K, E. Gonvick and J. N. Nelson. Previous to this date this denomination of the Lutheran church was a part of the Shell Rock congregation, but services were sometimes held at the court house by its pastor. Rev. O. Nilson. In October 1886 the members of the Shell Rock congregation living in Northwood organized as the Norwegian Lutheran Sunday School Society and immediately bought the church then known as the Presbyterian church which in the year 1892 was repaired and remodeled, a new pulpit, altar and tower being added. Rev. L. O. .Pederson served the congregation from its first organization in 1894 for n period of about five months when Rev. N. C. Brun became pastor of the congregation and served about two years. In May 1896 Rev. N. C. Brun was succeeded by Rev. O. G. U. Siljan. who served until Dec. 1. 1906.

Dr. C. A. Melby. of St. Olaf College, serves the congregation as temporary pastor until July. 1907. when Rev. David Stove will assume charge.

The congregation owns a beautiful cemetery located one mile west of Northwood. in conjunction with the Shell Rock congregation and has an interest in the parsonage. which was bought in 1902 at it cost of over $3.000.

In addition to the church the usual auxiliary organizations are maintained. A large and growing Sunday-school, a thriving Ladies' Aid and a prosperous Luther League are all working in harmony for His, cause.

This church has had a healthy growth since its first organization and now numbers about 265 members in its fold.

Source: The Semi-Centennial Souvenir of Northwood, Iowa, 1907, page 70.

According to the History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, Vol. 1, page 387, the next pastor was Hans Fosness. About 1917 the church building was sold to the newly organized German Lutheran Church.

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, 10/29/2013.