| Summary: | tees: Martin Knutson, John Ask, Erik Kristian- son. Secretary Andrew Kjorven, Treasurer Axel Hanson, Precentor (Klokker) Ellef Herleikson. It was not for long that the new congregation had an opportunity to worship in the new church. It burned the night of July 4, 1900. The Congregation met at once and decided to rebuild at a cost of $2,600. It has been improved several times since, and now has a full basement with a modern kitchen and electric lights. In 1909 the congregation united with Beaver Creek and West Union Lutheran Churches to form a new Parish. Pastor T. Tjornhom was called as pastor. Before this time the congregation had been served by Pastor Johanson and Pastor Runsvold from Northwood, and also, for a short time, by Pastor Th. Skjei from West Union church. When pastor Tjornhom resigned in 1913, Pastor S. H. Njaa became pastor. The next year these three congregations purchased a house in Northwood for the pastor and has served as parsonage since. The ladies aid that was organized in 1896 has continued to work very faithfully and has been a great help to further the work of the church. Sunday School, parochial school, and Luther League have been very active organizations during all these years. Later additions to the congregation since the first meeting, all having families: Nels Halvorson, Carl Ulberg, Gilbert Bently, Andrew F. Johnson, M. T. Maurseth, Syvert Ostlie, Albert Morkve, Ole Stromme, Ole Maurseth, John A. Johnson, Mike Paulson, Gilman Bentley, Ole Sheldahl, Helmer Thompson, Carlton Jacobson, Edwin Harmre, Arthur Ostlie, Ingvald Wasness, Peter Olson, Roy Bullert, Arthur Christianson, Ben Wasness, and Walther Hanson. The following pastors have served during these years: Albert Johanson 1900-1906, Th. Skjei 1906-1908, J. D. Runsvold 1908-1909, T. Tjornhom 1909-1913, S. H. Njaa 1913-1949, Victor Ovrebo 1949-1953, Albin Sherve 1954- 1958, Raymond Poppe 1958. WEST UNION CHURCH West Union Church, twelve miles west of Northwood, was organized in August, 1883, by Rev. C. J. M. Gronlid at Jacob Brorby's. John Peterson was the first Treasurer and Peter Skur- dell was the first Secretary. It was named West Union Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. Paul Bilden suggested the name for the one in Iowa from which he came. In a letter to Jacob Bilden, February 20, 1901, Rev. Gronlid explains that at the time of organization there was no definite register of members. However, among those active in the beginning were: Paul and Jacob Bilden, Peder Haugen, Sivert Draxton, Peder Aftret, Thomas Engen, Ellef Bakke, Peder Morstad, Peder and Ole Eidem, Jacob Brorby, Nels D. Johnson, John Peterson, Paul Woken, Peter F. Peterson, Ole Amundson, John Tornbom, Haldor Fuglem. The membership grew, and on February 11, 1898, seventy-eight persons (including children) joined the congregation. From 1883 to 1886 Rev. Gronlid served, Scanned with a Zeutschel Zeta book scanner at 300 dpi. Edited in Multi-page TIFF Editor.
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