Posted: 6/6/07
NB's Trinity Lutheran Church celebrates 120 years
 Delmer Fairbanks poses with a quilt that was made in 1911, it was owned by the Fairbanks family. Members of the congregation placed individual messages on the quilt, including names and some even made note of how much they paid to be included in the quilt. The quilt was part of the 120th anniversary history display. |
By MaryHelen Swanson
"The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people."
So said Richard K. Avery and Donald S. Marsh as they wrote the familiar Sunday School song, "We are the Church" in 1972.
And so as the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church in North Branch gathered Sunday, May 13, they celebrated 120 years of its people much more than a building.
It was noted in the church's 100th anniversary booklet that "the Church is truly the people who express their faith and love for God in service to each other and to those abroad. Each generation faces tough challenges, and it is certainly amazing to see God guide His people just as in the story of the Bible. We are God's people for which we do rejoice with great thanksgiving."
As the people of Trinity celebrated 120 years, they also were excited to witness the opening of their Heritage Room.
"It was many years in the making," said Phyllis Lindberg, a member of the history team, "but we finally got it."
The room is filled with 120 years of the church's history in photos and memorabilia, including the tape from the centennial anniversary celebration. And here is a little about the "people" of Trinity.
In the Beginning
On April 28, 1887, a public announcement was posted in North Branch: "Notice is hereby given that on the 12th day of May, 1887, there will be held in the village of North Branch, Chisago County, Minnesota, at the store of Krantz Brothers, a meeting for the purpose of organizing a congregation of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church and for the election of trustees for the same."
The notice was signed by Lamech Krantz, P.A. Swenson, C.J. Vallin, Andrew Rystrom, Frank Olson, J.P. Frank, H.O. Herried and A.P. Krantz.
After the business of electing a chairman and secretary for the meeting, the group moved from the store to the Congregational Church where Pastor Frodeen, the newly elected chairman, opened the meeting with Psalm 204: 3-5 and a reading from Matthew 16.
Pastor Frodeen gave a meditation on what it means to be a good member of a congregation.
Charter members included: Lamech Krantz, P.A. Swanson, his wife and 2 children; Chas. J. Vallin, his wife and 2 children; Andrew Rystrom, his wife and 2 children; Frank Olson, his wife and six children; John Peter Frank, his wife and one child; John Israelson, his wife and 2 children; A.P. Krantz, his wife and one child; Sven Peterson, his wife and three children; Peter Larson, his wife and four children; Nils Gustaf Johnson, his wife and three children; John Algot Nicklason; Chas. Peterson, his wife and three children; August Edstrom, his wife and five children; N.P. Ekstrom; and E.P. Halleen, his wife and six children.
Indeed, the meeting took place and the congregation was organized.
In the beginning, there were 31 confirmed members and 41 children. The congregation was a member of the Augustana Synod.
The original church building was erected in 1887 and the first annual meeting was held in that church Jan. 2, 1888.
Charles Halleen was elected custodian at a salary of $15 plus a freewill offering collected at Christmas. Church dues were set at $6 for a man and wife, $3 for a single man and $3 for a single woman, no dues were paid until age 18.
The first pastor, J. Fremling, was called in February of 1888 and was given a salary of $100 a year. He was to preach once a month.
By 1895 the pastor, Eric Bowman, was receiving $450 per year, paid quarterly, including a parsonage and fuel.
In 1897, the congregation increased the number of trustees from four to six, the organist was receiving $25 per year and an offering at Christmas, and the janitor was receiving $40 per year and two offerings. Church dues were raised to $10 per couple.
In 1910, the congregation voted to have Sunday school at 2 p.m. and service at 3 p.m.
In 1912, electric lights were installed in the church and the parsonage. And it goes on.
Swedish language
Being that the folks who started the church were Swedish, several directly from Sweden, Swedish was the language used in the service. In fact, it was used not only in the service, but to record council minutes well into the 1900s.
However, around 1904, while there were 16 Sunday school classes, two were in English. Also in 1904, the young people's organization starting using English.
It was Pastor A.G. Hammarberg, who came to the church from Cumberland, Wisc., in 1913, who introduced English into the worship services on alternate Sundays, and for all evening classes.
In 1931, the church's name was officially changed to Trinity Lutheran and English became the official language.
More changes
In 1937, the congregation celebrated the Golden Jubilee and in preparation for this celebration, a program of renovation was begun including new art glass windows, light fixtures and pews being installed. And redecoration of the church and sacristy was done.
In 1962, a three-day observances was held for the 75th anniversary. The congregation numbered 608 confirmed and 258 baptized children at the time, and Trinity joined the newly formed Lutheran Church of America (LCA).
While the church had built a Christian education facility apart from its church building which was dedicated in 1971, the new sanctuary portion of that facility was not added (current church) until 1984. The church, as it stands today, was dedicated Feb. 3, 1985. Dr. Herbert W. Chilstrom, Minnesota Synod bishop at the time, celebrated with the congregation.
Christian education
Teaching children in the way of the Lord was a priority several years before the congregation was even organized, with the first Sunday school sessions being held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Sederberg.
It is noted that the outstanding figure in the history of the Sunday school was August Edstrom who served in the capacity of superintendent for 43 years, until his death in 1928.
It was not uncommon for there to be 80 or more students from the early years on. Education of the children continued strong through the years.
In the summer of 1985, Trinity opened a nursery school.
Since then, the church has expanded the education program to kindergarten and most recently to elementary aged children. Vacation Bible School has been held in the summer since 1933.
And it continues
On Sunday, May 13, 2007, as the congregation gathered to celebrate 120 years, Bishop Peter Rogness was on hand and provided the message for the day.
Remembering the past, with a new Heritage Room to bring its history to life, the folks at Trinity Lutheran can well understand that the church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place ... the church - Trinity Lutheran Church of North Branch - is people, many people who have survived challenges and met goals for 120 years and will continue for years to come.
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