Church: Greenwood, Wis. Lutheran Churches Celebrate

Contact: janet@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Aaberg, Norson, Knutson, Hougum, Alfsen, Peterson, Christiansen, Christopherson, Hendrickson, Johnson, Dyre, Vodden, Ringstd, Larsen, Looben, Berntzen, Anderson, Svanoe, Reishus, Kleppe, Hembre, Osgood, Erdahl

----Source: Marshfield New Herald (Marshfield, Wis.) 27 Aug 1942

LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS CELEBRATE

70^TH ANNIVERSARY

Greenwood and Trondhjem Churches Unite Sunday to Observe Event

Greenwood – A joint 70^th anniversary program for Trondhjem Lutheran Church, of which the Rev. M. K. Aaberg is pastor, and United Lutheran Church, Greenwood, with the Rev. A. E. Norson as pastor, was held Sunday, Aug. 23, 1942, in Greenwood.  Dinner and supper were served by women of both congregations.

The program:

Hymn: “Christ Alone is Our Salvation”

Devotional Service: Rev. E.A. Norson, Mondovi

Women’s Chorus: “Invocation” and “O Bread of Life”

History of Trondhjem congregation: Mrs. Orlando Meyer;

History of United congregation: Elmer Johnson

Duet – Miss Nadine and Omar Knutson: “Over the Line”

Address: Rev. J.C. Hougum, Stevens Point

Women’s Chorus: “Build on the Rock” and “Take My Hand”

Address: M.K. Aaberg, Greenwood

Solo – Omar Knutson: “An Evening Prayer”

Closing Address: Rev. A.E. Norson, Greenwood

Hymn: “Zion Stands With Hills Surrounded”

Women’s Chorus: “Benediction”

The Greenwood Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized Aug. 21, 1872, the Rev. A.O. Alfsen, who came from Trempealeau County, directing the organization.  Charter Members were Elias Peterson, Ole Christiansen, Peter Christopherson, Victor Hendrickson, Simon Johnson, and Ole J. Johnson.

At that time there was no Greenwood, but a settlement had begun to grow on the present Greenwood site known as Honeywell.  At that time the country east and northeast of Honeywell was known as Norwegian settlement.

Worship services for the first 10 years were conducted in the various homes.  A few services were held in the first school which stood on the present site of the R.E.A. building.  In 1874 a special baptismal service was held at which time seven children were baptized. Included in this group was Mrs. Anna Dyre, present member of United Lutheran Church, whose grandfather, Peder Vodden, was the first teacher of the parochial school, usually conducted in the homes.

In 1882 a log building was erected on the Ole Peterson farm, now known as the Carl Nelson farm.  Sometime later the building, which was used for both church and school, was moved east across the road, where it stood until it burned some years later.  Then followed another period in which worship services were held around in homes and schools.

Years later it was found advisable to divide the membership, one group northeast of the city forming the Trondhjem congregation and the other group centered in the city, forming United Lutheran congregation.

The group centered in Greenwood worshipped in various places until 1915, when under the leadership of Rev. A.B. Dyre, definite plans were made for building a church, the present United Lutheran Church.  Dedication services were held Oct. 7, 1917, by the Rev. J. Nordby, the Rev. Theodore Kleppe being pastor at the time.

The Ladies Aid Society was formed at an early date, and parochial school was conducted down through the years in homes and schoolhouses.  Teachers included Peder Vodden, the Rev. A.B. Dyre, Mr. Ringstad, and Mrs. Larsen.

The roster of pastors who served this congregation include A.O. Alfsen, the Rev. M. Sampson, the Rev. A.L. Looben, the Rev. Staale Berntzen, the Rev. A.J. Anderson, the Rev. Svanoe, the Rev. T.J. Reishus, the Rev. A.B. Dyre, the Rev. Theodore Kleppe, the Rev. M.K. Aaberg, and the present pastor, the Rev. A.E. Norson.

The Trondhjem Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Clark County was organized Oct. 13, 1902, with Peder Christopherson, Simon B. Johnson, James Hembre, Hans Ystad, August Gustafson, Ole Bragstad, Iver Hembre, Mortin Johnson and Christian Christopherson as charter members.

Permission was granted to hold meetings in the schoolhouse, two miles northeast of Greenwood.  During the winter of 1902-03, it was decided to engage Rev. J.C. Hougum, then of Longwood, to be pastor of the Trondhjem Church.

On April 26, 1903, Lillie Elenore Hembre, daughter of Iver Hembre, was baptized, the first child to be baptized after the church organization.

On May 18, 1903, it was decided to postpone the building of a church and to use the schoolhouse for services.  Sometime later the building was burned and the Christopherson School was built on its present site.  Services were held here until it was decided on Nov. 15, 1909, to build a church, dedication for which was held March 22, 1912.

The Rev. Mr. Hougum served until 1914, when the Rev. Mr. Erdahl was called to succeed him.  Due to poor health, the Rev. Mr. Erdahl was unable to serve more than a year.  In 1915, he was succeeded by the Rev. Theodore Kleppe, who served until 1918, when the Rev. M.K. Aaberg was called and is still serving the congregation.

The church was dedicated and completely equipped by 1917, the Ladies Aid Society securing church furnishings.  The Men’s Society and Luther League also were organized.  The first organist was Miss Mabel Osgood, Ole Peterson leading the singing before this.  Only July 14, 1935, the 25^th anniversary was observed.