| Summary: | parsonage. After much discussion whether to buy or build, the Wm. Weick home was purchased. The lots east of the church were also purchased from Arland Thorstad to be used for parking. In the fall of 1960 we voted to merge with the A.L.C., E.L.C., and U.E.L.C, changing the name from Marion Evangelical Lutheran Church to Marion American Lutheran Church. A Brotherhood was organized with Lloyd Piehl as chairman. Margaret Seigele and some of the mothers organized a Cherub Choir with Shirley Mclnnes as director and Ethelyn Paulson as accompanist. The following year a youth choir was started and the women of the church sewed choir gowns. The choirs were an inspirational and enjoyable addition to our service. In 1962 the Grand Rapids Congregation asked if Pastor Seigele would serve them until they were able to get a pastor. In July of 1963, Pastor Seigele accepted a call from Milnor, N.D. In October 1963, Vern Aselson came to serve our congregation. He had been teaching in Isreal. His message of song in his high tenor voice was an enjoyable part of our service. While here, he did his practice teaching in the Marion School to expedite his getting a teaching degree. In June of 1964, Rev. Dennis Larson, wife Diane and son Scott came to serve our congregation. He was installed in July and moved into a trailer home while the parsonage was enlarged and remodeled. Besides ministering to our congregation, he directed the school band for one year and served both Litchville and High Prairie while they were without a pastor. In 1966 the Marion Congregation and Trinity of Griswold agreed to form a two point parish with the Pastor to live at Marion. (Rev. Larson was one of those instrumental in getting the Senior Citizens off to a start in Marion.) In 1967 the interior of the church was remodeled, adding new chancel furniture, painting the interior and installing new carpeting. The St. Johns Church Building was purchased with plans to make it an addition to our church building. In 1968, Rev. Larson accepted a call to Edina, Minn. Rev. Sherve, Chaplain at the State Hospital of Jamestown, served our congregation until Pastor Einar Aarsheim and wife Ann came. He had just graduated from the Lutheran Seminary. He reached out in the community assisting and ministering to many nonmembers as well as members. He conducted unique afternoon and evening Lenten Services which stimulated much discussion and are still remembered. Ann, a most progressive educator, taught English and Dramatics in the Marion High School. She was an integral part of the morning worship service directing a mixed choir, instrumental groups and many innovations in choice and types of music, some of which we still use today. The Aarsheims also started the Teen Canteen for the youth of the community. St. Johns building was moved in. The Narthax was added to the front of our church to enlarge the entrance. The main part was used as dining and kitchen area, rest rooms and pastors study. With the paneling and installation of carpeting, it is an attractive and comfortable place for meetings and serving. Pastor Aarsheim resigned to go to San Francisco, Calif. David and Ranae Almlie accepted our call in July of 1971. On August 8, he was ordained by his father. Rev. S. L. Almlie at Lisbon, N.D., where David grew up. On Sept. 15, he was installed by his father as our pastor. His wife Ranae, is a very active part of our community, reaching out with love and concern for those in need. Although she nurses in Valley City part time, she has been the inspiration for the many banners and much beautification of the church proper. Under Pastor Almlie and pastors of the other churches in Marion, a new spirit of cooperation between churches has evidenced itself in several recent educational ventures. In 1972, Marion Lutheran joined with the other Lutheran, Catholic, United Methodist and Reform churches of Marion, Litchville, Kathryn, Hastings, Dickey and Montpelier to organize a joint "Community Religious Education" program offering a variety of classes to the churches of our area. In 1974, Marion Lutheran conducted a joint Vacation Bible School with the United Methodist Church. Since 1973, Marion Lutheran has also participated in an Annual Joint Day of Worship with the other Lutheran Churches of our neighboring towns. This event in 1974 attracted the presence of Dr. David Preuss, President of the American Lutheran Church. It was also the subject of a half-hour television special on KXJB. Last year a committee along with Pastor Almlie, spent hours revising and updating the constitution of our church. The M.A.L.C.W. have taken an active part, both spiritually and financially in supporting the church by sponsoring Home and Foreign Mission programs and assisting with youth activities. In 1965, the Aid was divided into 4 circles that met every month for Bible Study and discussion. The Aid meets every other month for cau.e of the month programs, business and fellowship. In 1970 Mrs. Clara Leidall, Mrs. Julia Opdahl and Mrs. Anna Anderson were honored and presented pins for their many years of active service in the M.A.L.C.W. In this year of 1975, we are fortunate to have some of these pioneers with us, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Leidall, Mrs. Julia Opdahl, Mrs. Anna Anderson and Mrs. Nina Leidall. It is with deep appreciation to the pioneers, who labored and established the Marion Lutheran Church, and those who through the years have used their talents to the furtherance of God's Kingdom, that we go forward with God's Blessing. NORTH MARION REFORMED CHURCH In the fall of 1906 a request was sent to the consistory of the Litchville Reformed Church asking permission to hold services in the private homes of members of the church who- had purchased or rented land west and northwest of Litchville from 8 to 18 miles. Due to the severe climatic conditions of this country during the winter months and because the only means of transportation was horse drawn carriages, this was deemed necessary. The consistory of the Litchville Reformed Church granted this request and authorized Brother Peter Roorda Sr. to conduct these services, but at the time of the regular administration of the Sacraments, all members should be present at the church service held in the Reformed Church at Litchville for such occasions. These separate meetings were held first at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Boom in Section two in Greenland Township. In the spring of 1907, several families came from different parts of the U.S. Many either purchased or rented land in the territory northwest of Litchville where others of Dutch descent had already settled. During the early summer of that year at a general 33 Scanned with a Zeutschel Zeta book scanner at 300 dpi. Edited with Multi-Page TIFF Editor.
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