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from Ramsey County History: vol 2, p 598-99; published 1983
Church records of Zoar Free Lutheran church show that the
congregation was organized in April 1902. However, several years
prior to that date, services were held in pioneers' homes that were
scattered out over the prairies.
The first Christmas program was held in the Lars Dahl sod house,
which was a very large house for one of that type. The next year
the Christmas festival was held in the Mrs. Carroll hotel with a large
crowd in attendance. The Christmas offering of $34.75 was
presented to the pastor. It was Pastor J.O. Arvig who served these
pioneer people. He had bee a pastor at Adrian, Minnesota, when he
felt the urge to pioneer with the word of God to the wilds of North
Dakota.
In 1899, although these people were not organized into a regular congregation,
the usual ministerial services were conducted. In 1902 a group of
people decided to organize their own congregation, call their own pastor
whom it was decided should be from the Lutheran Free Church. A
constitution was drawn up and the following officers elected: president,
Iver Iverson; secretary, Martin Marinson; treasurer, Tobias Bjorland; trustees:
Farlo Olson, Lars Dahl and Tobias Bjorland; deacons: Mr. and Mrs. Iver
Iverson and Dioren Iverson. There were three people confirmed and
one wedding held in 1902.
In the fall of 1903 the congregation vetured forth on a building
project. The railroad had not arrived at Hampden at this time so
all the church lumber was hauled by team from Edmore. A plot of
land was given by Mr. Stoltz, who owned the town site. Carpenters
were hired although men of the congregation did much of the work of constructing
the church building. Many town people, although not members of the
congregation donated both money and material. The total bill for
the new church including labor, hardware, lumber, insurance and altar
furniture, was $2,537.67, although the bill was not paid in full until
1906.
In 1940 the church was moved to its present location and
remodeled. Colored windows were placed and pews were
installed. Since that year there have been various remodelings
done.
The Zoar Free Lutheran congregation has grown. Its various
organizations have been active and prospered throughout the years under
the leadership of its pastors. Pastors serving this congregation
are: J.O. Arvig 1902; N.L. Harveland 1903-1909; Ludwig Peterson
1909-1910; G.D. Norberg 1910-1914;P.O. Laurhammer 1915-1925; George
Larson 1925-1926; John Hjelmeland 1927-1929; Morris Eggen 1930-1937;
Sigurd Berg 1938-1943; Lawrence Rasmussen 1944-1950; H.J. Tollefson
1950-1957; George Amundson 1957-1964; Intern Roy Quanrud 1965; Intern
Roger Strom 1966; Howard Kjos 1967-1972; Hubert DeBoer 1973; Raymond
Larson January 1974-August 1974; Kenneth Heppner 1974-1975; Welsey
Langacs 1975-1980; Ragene Hodnefield 1981-1982.
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