Jubilee Album - The Fridhem Church

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From a Communication from B. J. Fahlund

N THE 28th day of January, 1879, the Bethel congregation* assembled in annual business meeting. Delegates from the Fridhem territory were present. They were there for th (sic) purpose of ascertaining if the congregation were willing to build their church on the northwest quarter of section 32 in Divide Township, as the Fridhem people, in such case, wished to join the Bethel church. Bethel was not willing to do this, and the Fridhem delegates left, saying, "We have a meeting announced for to-morrow for the purpose of organizing for ourselves, in case of refusal," As a consequence, the organization of Fridhem was brought about, at A. P. Falk's sodhouse, after a regular service which had begun at half past ten o'clock in the forenoon of the 29th of January, 1879. The Rev. Elias Peterson, who was then on the mission field in Nebraska, was present. He was chosen chairman and Frank Johnson secretary. The following persons signed as charter members: A. P. Falk and wife; Axel Falk; Andrew Carlson and wife; Andrew Akeson and wife; John Abrahamson and wife; Frank Johnson and wife; Alfred Johnson and wife; John Olson and wife; Charles F. Johnson and wife; Peter Ekvall and wife; Andrew Bjorkman and wife; Charles Johnson and wife; Swan Matson and wife; Charles Cederberg and wife; Andreas Olson and wife; Nels Anderson and wife; Peter Erickson ; C. J. Lundquist and wife; Bengt Person and wife; Charles P. Carlson and wife; Albert Wetterherg; Victor Peterson and wife; August Peterson and wife; Andrew Person and wife.

After organization, the constitution of 1860 for the Augustana Synod churches was read and adopted by section, paragraph, and in its entirety.

The church council was chosen as follows: Deacons: John Abraham-

* The Swedish Lutheran congregation of Holdrege, Nebraska.

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son for three years, Charles Johnson for two years and Peter Ekvall for one year. Trustees: Andrew Carlson for three years, A. P. Falk for two years and Charles Johnson for one year.
    At this meeting it was decided to have religious service every Sunday forenoon at 10:30 o'clock, here and there in the homes, until the congregation should have a church wherein to meet, the deacons to conduct the services when no regularly ordained minister should be present. When the matter of finding a name for the church came up, Andrew Carlson suggested that the congregation be called "The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Fridhem Congregation of Phelps County." This name was adopted. Rev. Elias Peterson was delegated and authorized to ask for the admission of the congregation into the Kansas Conference and into the Augustana Synod, which was to meet in June of that year. This matter Rev. Peterson promised to attend to. Before the people dispersed, A. P. Falk was asked to solicit new members for the church.

    In February, 1879, B. J. Fahlund and his family came to Phelps county and took up their abode. On the first Sunday in March, following, Fahlund attended the meeting of the Fridhem congregation for the first time, at Frank Johnson's sodhouse. He was a stranger and felt himself as such, taking a seat near the door. As the meeting was about to begin, John Abrahamson, who was a deacon, arose and moved that Fahlund conduct the services. Fahlund declined, saying he was unprepared, had come as an auditor, not as a speaker, but as the call for Fahlund was persistent, he went forward, read a sermon on the text of the day from Johan Arndt's Postil and offered up prayers. At the end of the meeting Peter Ekvall resigned as deacon, recommended Fahlund in his place and moved that he be chosen to conduct the meetings until the congregation should have a regular minister. All of which was then and there satisfactorily arranged, and Fahlund was thereafter for five years the. leader of the church.

    The meetings continued to be held in the homes, and in a short time the congregation was so large that the people could not find room in the sodhouses of the settlers. In September, 1879, the congregation again met in business meeting, this time to deliberate over the matter of building a church. After considering the matter, it was agreed to build a sod church 20x40 feet, inside measure, and to have it plastered and whitewashed. The church was erected by the parishioners and was plastered and whitewashed by Charles Ekvall. It was an imposing structure, the largest of its kind in the neighborhood -- white and roomy

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inside, and, besides, it had the charm of a sanctuary about it. But there was neither pulpit nor seats, and there was no other floor than the bare ground. Stakes were driven into this, crosspieces nailed to the stakes, and planks laid on top of the crosspieces, forming benches or seats. Two wooden wedges were driven into the sod wall at the inner end of the church, and a short piece of board nailed to them. This constituted both altar and pulpit, and although almost primitive in nature, it gave the people great joy, as they now had a place of worship. The first meeting held in the Fridhem sod church was on the 18th Sunday after Trinity, in 1879.
    In April, 1879, a Sunday-school had been organized with six children. This Sunday-school prospered and gained in attendance, so that at the Christmas festival there were thirty-six children present, each one of which received a copy of Luther's Short Catechism, an apple, and a sack of candy. At this festival Olof Hedlund and Mr. Collin, a theological student from Augustana College, were present on invitation of B. J. Fahlund. Both of them spoke and added materially to the value of the program, which otherwise in the main was given by the Sunday-school children. Mr. Collin had brought with him a choir consisting of Mr. and Mrs. John Blom, Mr. and Mrs. Sjögren, and Olof and Emma Hedlund, besides himself.

    Mrs. Blom, who was the organist of Bethel, seated herself at the organ, as accompanist, and there was both vocal and instrumental music in abundance. This was made possible through the kindness of an English-speaking neighbor* who loaned his parlor organ for use on this occasion. This gentleman's daughter also acted as organist at the festival.

    The Christmas tree on this occasion consisted of a small cottonwood decorated with colored tissue paper and streamers. From the roof were suspended candelabra made of wire and dressed with fringed tissue paper of many colors. The light from the candles in these, in the Christmas tree, in the arches and in the candlesticks, filled the church with a radiance such as had not been seen by the pioneers on the wide and dreary plain for many a year. It was as a greeting from former days --from father and mother -- from the childhood home, and many a tear glistened on cheeks from which the bloom of June had long since fled.

* * *

When the congregation had been refused admission into the conference,

* These people's names are not mentioned in Fahland's manuscript, which is regretable (sic), as their kindness should be remembered.

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Fahlund wrote several letters to Dr. Norelius and to Dr. Hasselquist. but * * * * also wrote, and Fahlund's letters were without results. These were dark and dreary days. The future of Fridhem hung in the balance and the situation gave Fahlund much cause for worry. On his knees he prayed to God to show him a way out as He had showed Moses when the fate of the children of Israel was in the balance. From prayer he gained strength, and Hope again held out her hand for him to grasp. He drove to Phelps Centre to ascertain if the congregation had been incorporated. This he found had not been done; at least, if it had, the Articles of Incorporation had not been put on record. Fahlund then asked the congregation if they did not wish to incorporate. On taking a vote on the matter it was found that the congregation desired to do so, and Fahlund was delegated to attend to the matter. But troubles were by no means at an end, and Fahlund was near the verge of despair. He was at the point of giving up the fight, yielding the field and joining Bethania. But he made one more attempt to gain admission for Fridhem into the Synod. Erland Carlsson had become president of the Synod and with him Fahlund was personally acquainted. He wrote Carlsson, explaining the situation and telling him under what difficulties he labored. Carlsson replied, advising him to persevere, not to capitulate, and he should be sent help. Fahlund was told to perform such sacerdotal acts as baptizing and conducting funerals, but for the administering of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper and for the performing of the marriage ceremony he should be sent an ordained minister. Furthermore, Rev. Carlsson's letter stated that he had sent Rev. L. G. Abrahamson of Chicago a letter requesting him to go out to Phelps county, Nebraska, and investigate.
    In due time Abrahamson arrived. Messengers were sent out on horseback to apprise the people, and a meeting was held that evening. He delivered a sermon, such as only Abrahamson can, and after that gave a powerful and convincing "talk," assuring the congregation that they should, without doubt, be granted admission into the Synod. He promised to champion their cause until they succeeded.

    The following forenoon Fahlund took Abrahamson to Swanbom's place, but did not find him at home, and although they waited nearly all day, he did not appear. While waiting for Swanbom to come home, Abrahamson wrote several letters, also a communication to Swanbom.

    As Rev. Abrahamson most go back as soon as possible, Fahlund drove to Kearney for him in his farm wagon. They stayed over night at Otto

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Themanson's and were bed-fellows. That they did not sleep much that night does not create wonder. There was so much to talk about. At train time Fahlund took farewell of Abrahamson and drove home.
    Meanwhile the wheels of time had moved forward infinitesimally. There was an improvement in conditions in Fridhem. Things began to look brighter. Swanbom had become friendly toward Fridhem and offered his services for the last six months of 1883 at a salary of $100, promising one forenoon and one afternoon service in each month. Before Christmas Swanbom sent for a theological student, named Julin, who came and conducted services during the holidays. Julin was a good speaker an able and agreeable man, and he was well liked. Fridhem had a happy and profitable Christmas.

    At the annual business meeting in the beginning of 1884, the Rev. C. H. Södergren was extended a call to preach part of the time in Fridhem, rotating with Bethel, as the two churches had previously been consolidated into one charge. For some unexplainable reason the Fridhem call did not reach him. It had been lost or delayed in transit. When Södergren came out to view the field, he called on Fahlund also. ln the course of the conversation Rev. Södergren said, "Yesterday I accepted the call to Bethel." "Good," said Fahlund. "Then you also accepted the call to Fridhem?" "Fridhem!" exclaimed Södergren. "I have received no call from Fridhem ....I understand now why the Lord wished me to accept Bethel's call for three Sundays a month only. When I on my knees prayed to Him for guidance, an inner voice said, 'Reserve one Sunday of each month for yourself.' 'Why, O Lord, shall 1 keep one Sunday for myself?' Again the voice said, 'Reserve one Sunday of each month for yourself.' I durst not disobey, and now I understand it all. How wonderful are the ways of the Lord." -- Rev. Södergren accepted the call to Fridhem, giving the congregation the Sunday which the Lord had commanded him to reserve, also one Sunday afternoon service of each month. This gave the people of Fridhem two services a month, and they rejoiced.

   To the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Fridhem congregation of Funk, Nebraska, I wish to send my heartiest greetings! I congratulate the congregation on the celebration of its fortieth anniversary. May the Lord, who has led you through the dangers and hardships of the past, still be with you in coming times, anl (sic) lead you, and protect you, and cause you to increase, to the glorification of His Name. The Lord be praised for all.

B. J. FAHLUND.

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* See "Corrections" page


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