| Summary: | at first occasionally, then eight times a year. From 1886 to 1890 Rev. Olaf Lee from North- wood was pastor. Meetings were held in homes which were sod houses. November 14, 1887, at P. Eidem's, it was agreed that all meetings should be held there until June 1, 1888, for which he was to receive one dollar from each family. Homes and schoolhouses were meeting places until 1896. In 1890 the church joined the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. On March 31, 1891, at the home of Paul Uglem, Rev. Th. J. Skjei preached his first sermon. After accepting the call, July 13, 1893, with a salary of $150 per year, he served until 1909. The most pressing need was a church. Another task from the beginning was to arrange for Norwegian parochial school, so that the children might learn to read the Norwegian language, Bible, and Catechism. In July, 1893, Rev. Skjei called a meeting of the women at Peder Aftret's and organized a Ladies Aid, with Mrs. John Peterson, president, and Mrs. Peter Skurdell, treasurer. Its first purpose was to raise money for a church. In 1896 they contributed $579. In 1894 he organized the first Young Peoples Society, also at Peder Aftret's. Their first contribution was the bell and pulpit. In that year it was decided that each member give one bushel wheat for every one hundred bushels raised, but not over twenty bushels. Iver Running, Charley Christen, Haldor Fuglem, and Oluf Forbord were chosen to collect and market it. On January 2, 1896, a building committee composed of S. B. Draxton, Peder Skurdell, John Peterson, Peter F. Peterson, and Charley Christen was chosen. The church was built in 1896 by Syvert Solberg, with the help of local men, for $1,425. On October 25, 1896, it was used for the first service. The congregation was incorporated in 1899, and received a deed to the land signed by Paul and Betsey Uglem June 27, 1902. The church was dedicated in 1904. That year the first organ was purchased and used until 1949, when it was replaced by an electric one. Clara Ekurdell was the first organist. In 1909 Beaver Creek, Bethania, and West Union formed a parish and called Rev. T. Tjornhom, who served until 1913. The present parsonage was purchased in 1914. Succeeding pastors have been: S. H. Njaa, 1913-1949, whose long pastorate spans much of recent history, particularly the transition period from the Norwegian to English language with the passing of the pioneers. Nineteen thirty- eight was the first year the minutes were written in English. Victor Ovrebo served from 1949 to 1953; Albin Sherve, 1954 to 1958; Raymond Poppe, 1958. Extensive repairs of various kinds were made on the church in 1920; a basement constructed, 1926; repair of parsonage and church during Rev. Ovrebo's pastorage, and the parsonage, 1958. BEAVER CREEK EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH - The very first Lutheran pastor that visited this settlement was D. C. Granvold, but he was not able to get anything started. The first Lutheran pastor to begin work here was C.J.M.J. Gronlid, who was at the time pastor in Hatton. He began preaching in the homes and later in the schoolhouses. Pastor Gronlid organized Beaver Creek congregation in 1886, with about thirty-five members, counting the children. The following officers were elected: President, Rev. Gronlid; Secretary, Ole Coltom; Treasurer, Knut Heskin; Trustees: Knut Heskin, Peter E. Bjerke, and Knut Johnson; Mr. M. Ullensaker was elected "klokker" or Precentor. The Ladies Aid was organized January 26, 1887, with Mrs. Pete Coltom as the first president, Mrs. M. Ullensaker, secretary, and Mrs. Johanne Heskin, treasurer. Mr. Knut Brunsdale gave two acres of land for the church and cemetery, and on this place the Beaver Creek Church was built in 1898 at a cost of $3,625. In 1909 Beaver Creek united with West Union and Bethania. In 1914 these congregations bought the parsonage in Northwood, completely renovating it in 1949. After the church was remodeled in 1957, the old chapel was replaced with a new addition in 1958. The following pastors have served the con- 80 Scanned with a Zeutschel Zeta book scanner at 300 dpi. Edited in Multi-page TIFF Editor.
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