CHURCHES OF PALO ALTO COUNTY
From Atlas of Palo Alto County
Compiled 1969 by Title Atlas Company; Minneapolis, Minnesota

BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
GRAETTINGER, IOWA

      Bethel Lutheran Church of Graettinger was organized Jan. 22, 1962. But the history of Bethel Lutheran goes back many years before that. Bethel Church is a merger of the former First Lutheran Church and the former St. Paul's Lutheran Church, and so its history must include the histories of these antecedent congregations.
     St. Paul's Lutheran church had its origin about 1880. The Danish settlers of Walnut Township would gather for worship in school houses, private homes and, when the weather was fit, outdoors. The congregation was officially organized July 7, 1884, by 20 men meeting at the farm home of Mr. P.S. Knutsen, the farm now owned by his son, Jorgen. The first church of the congregation was dedicated Aug. 20, 1893. This church, though now unused, still stands 4-1/2 miles southwest of Graettinger. In 1898, a parsonage was built, the records indicate "at a cost of $795.27 which left a deficit in the building fund of $1.27." It was during these early yea4rs also that a cemetery was begun, and later a stable built next to the church to house the horses. During and after the First World War, the services and Christian education began to be held in English rather than in the Danish language.
     In 1911, a Ladies Aid  was organized in the town of Graettinger for the express purpose of getting a church built for this community. With the growth of the town and surrounding area, many Danish Lutherans felt the need for a church more centrally located. Lots were purchased by the Ladies Aid in 1915. In 1926 a vacant church, 7 miles northeast of Spencer, was bought, moved, and placed on its new foundation in Graettinger. In 1941, the town church was enlarged and remodeled. The town church and the country churched remained one congregation until 1957, when they divided into two still served by the same pastor. The parsonage in town was purchased in 1929, and still serves as the home for the Bethel Lutheran pastor. St. Paul's was served by 12 pastors, including the last, Rev. H. Irving Petersen, 1957-62.
     The history of First Lutheran Church dates back to Aug. 18, 1889, when Rev. L.J. Hauge came by invitation to Graettinger to hold a church service in the Norwegian language. Rev. Hauge was pastor of the Lost Island Church, 6 1/2 miles southwest of Graettinger. In 1891, a Ladies Aid was organized. May 13, 1892, eight men met to organized First Lutheran congregation. A call was extended to Rev. J.K. Swalestuen, "salary to be $60. per year and three collections." The pastor was asked to preach "at least 12 sermons a year and to start a church record book." A Sunday School was soon started; the first children's Christmas program was held in 1895. In the same year, an urgent appeal was sent to the Ladies Aid to "hold a basket social to help pay the minister's salary." The records show $60.49 was paid for that year.
      In 1897, the cornerstone for a new church was laid; completed, the church seated 200. In 1898, a church cemetery was begun east of town. Gradually as time went on, English instead of Norwegian came to be the language used in worship and Christian instruction.
    In 1929, the Ladies Aid purchased the E.J. Mitchell property south of the Graettinger school; the house on the property then became the parsonage. In 1931, a new church was erected on this property. The records tell us, "On completion of the new church, a deficit of $1,500 was taken over by the Ladies Aid to pay. A young people's society called the 'Gleaners' also contributed to this new church." Through the years, First Lutheran Church was associated with the Lost Island Lutheran Church in a joint parish.
     There were eight pastors who served First Lutheran, including the last, Rev. Casper T. Fjelstul, 1957-62.

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     Over a period of years there had been suggestions that the Lutheran churches in the Graettinger community unite. Giving impetus to this desire was the merger consummated Jan. 1, 1961, uniting the parent bodies of First Lutheran and St. Paul's Lutheran, the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church respectively, into the American Lutheran Church. A poll was taken in 1961 among the members of the Graettinger Lutheran churches showed that a majority were in favor of uniting. Meetings were held together with the District President Dr. H.W. Siefkes and, in a short time, the merger came into being. The first officers of Bethel Lutheran were President, Robert Carter; Vice Pres., William Thomsen, Sr., Secretary, Robert Anderson; Treas., Russell Lastine. July 22, 1962, Otto J. Reitz was installed as the first pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church.
     At the first congregational meeting of Bethel Lutheran, a budget was adopted which included "10% of the total budget for a new building." In 1964- the congregation elected a planning committee to make a study and present proposals toward plans for future building opportunities. The site was later selected, plans approved, and construction began early in 1968. Ground breaking took place April 7; cornerstone laying on Sept. 8. Completion is slated for early 1969.
     The congregation now number 686 baptized members; 495 confirmed members. Sunday School enrollment is 190; there is a young peoples' Luther League of 35 members; the Bethel Lutheran Church Women number about 120. The congregation has both a Youth and a Senior Choir. Christian education is furthered also through such programs as Junior Lutherans, Vacation Church School and Confirmation instruction.