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

LOST ISLAND LUTHERAN CHURCH

     Our Saviour's Norwegian Danish Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized May 10, 1872, by Rev. T.H. Dahl.
     One of the early settlers, Peter Funkle, attended a friendly gathering of Emmet County Norwegians and during the conversation religion was mentioned. Mr. Funkle asked them to send a pastor to Lost Island as there were many Lutherans in the community. Shortly word was received that a minister was coming, and a meeting was held at the home of Thore Knutson for the purpose of organizing a mission congregation.
     The list of members included in the cornerstone of the old (burned down) church included: Knute Toreson Norre; Lars Thoreson Hovda; Halvor Rierson Flaate; Halvor Rierson Trondson; Sabjorn Toreson Norre; Peter Halvorson Funkle; Lars Larson Fonnebo; Kittel Larson Solem; Tolef Steinerson Kjammahus; and Thore Olson Kasa.
     Four services were held in 1872, but it seems that Rev. Hallward Hande took charge after the first service. The last service by Rev. Hande was July 14, 1874. He moved to Chicago and became a newspaper editor.
     At the next service, Sept. 5, 1874, Rev. Holseth was installed as pastor. By 1876 there were 74 adults and 72 children in the congregation.
     On July 3, 1879, it was decided to call a minister through the Synod, and build a parsonage. In 1881, Rev. C. Stoltz was called as resident pastor and was installed by Rev. Holseth.
     On Nov. 4, 1888, Rev. L.J. Hauge was installed by H. Engh, of Estherville. In 1889, forty acres of ground adjoining the parsonage were purchased; later sold to O.L. Thorseon.
     At a special meeting Oct. 3, 1890, it was decided to build a church. On Sept. 27, 1891, the cornerstone of the church was laid by Rev. L.H. Hauge.
     On Mar. 15, 1891, Rev. J.D. Swalestuen was installed by Rev. Engh. He served the congregation 12 years, and was largely responsible for getting the church finished. Rev. A.H. Gjevre conducted his first service April 12, 1903, and continued as pastor until Oct. 2, 1907. Rev. Clemitson served as temporary pastor until July 5, 1908.
     Rev. S.O. Sande was installed by Rev. Wigdahl and served the congregation 16-1/2 years. After Rev. Sande's resignation, Rev. Wigdahl served as temporary pastor until Feb. 21, 1926, when Rev. Mandsager was installed.
     On Mar. 27, 1934, the original church edifice burned to the ground. It was largely through the inspiration and unswerving faith of Rev. Mandsager that the congregation found courage to build in the depression years.
     The present building was dedicated Dec. 2, 1934. Rev. Mandsager resigned in July, 1941. The congregation was served  by Rev. Wicks, of Ruthven, as temporary pastor for almost a year.
     Rev. J.F. Masted was installed May 3, 1942, and served the congregation until Oct. 27, 1946, and in 1947, was being served by Rev. S.B. Knutson, of Ruthven. Rev. E.W. Quam was installed by Rev. Astrup Larson July 6, 1947, and served the congregation until Feb. 17, 1952.
     Rev. Paul G. Tolo was installed by Dr. V.T. Jordahl July 6, 1962, and served the congregation until Oct. 8, 1956. Rev. Quam and Rev. Tolo also served First Lutheran Church, Graettinger.
     Ordination of Vance Knutsen, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Knutsen, Estherville, was held May 31, 1953. His first parish was served at Elgin.
     Rev. Harold Norheim, Cylinder, served as interim pastor until Pastor Fjelstul came April 7, 1957. Rev. C.T. Fjelstul was installed by Dr. V.T. Jordahl, and served the congregations of First Lutheran Church, Graettinger, and Lost Island Lutheran also, until Jan. 28, 1962.
     Ordination of Merlin Norris, son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Norris, Graettinger, was held June 17, 1962. His first parish was served at St. John's Lutheran Church, St. Donatus, Ia. and St. Paul's Lutheran Church, LaMotte.
     After Rev. C.T. Fjelstul left in Jan., 1962, a merger of the American Lutheran Church took place in which our church and Little Sioux Lutheran Church, Milford,voted to share a pastor. Rev. Harald L. Bestul agreed to serve the two congregations.
     An organ dedication recital was held April 16, 1967, in which a Baldwin organ was presented to the congregation by Mrs. Mary Christiansen, her children, friends and relatives, in memory of the husband and father, Clarence (Puse) Christiansen.
     Rev. Harald Bestul announced his retirement in Mar., 1967, but served both congregations until Nov., 1967.
     Rev. Marlin Johnson, Zion Lutheran Church, Ruthven, served the congregations as interim pastor from Dec. 1, 1967, until the new pastor was installed June 9, 1968.
     Rev. Walter Rasmussen Milford, was installed by Rev. Clarence Hanson from Waldorf College, Forest City, on June 9, 1968, and he is presently serving both congregations.
     (The History of the Lost Island Lutheran Church was submitted by Mrs. Harry H. Nelson, with editing by Title Atlas Co.)