Add an Article Add an Event Edit

Hope Lutheran Church

301 Oak Street
320-396-3925

History:

In the fall of 1914, Pastor Renius from the Braham Lutheran Church came to Grasston, upon the recommendation of the District, to determine the interest in establishing a congregation. On January 15, 1915, a meeting was held in the Runquist Hall and many people in the community expressed their interest in establishing a Lutheran Church.

On March 2, 1915, a meeting was held to organize a Lutheran congregation in Grasston. Pastor Renius presided at the meeting and Mr. J.C. Satterstrom was elected Secretary. The newly formed congregation accepted the Synodical Constitution and adopted the name "Evangelical Lutheran Church of Grasston". The meeting was adjourned until the 23rd of March when the Articles of Incorporation were approved and the Board of Administration was elected. The first Deacons were John Olson, Nels E. Pearson, and Charles M. Mason. The first Trustees were John Youngquist, Charles Halgerson, R.H. Lindblom, Gust Burk, Charles A. Swanson, and Ben Anderson. At the beginning, twenty-nine members were received into Communion.

The first church building was purchased in early 1916 from the Grasston Methodist congregation for $750.00. The interior of the church was a very simple design. At the front was a large platform surrounded by a railing with the pulpit in the center, but there was no altar. Off to the side was a room which could be used for additional seating, kitchen facilities, and meetings. The congregation sat in straight back chairs until pews were purchased a few years later. The only heat was from a box stove that was fueled with cord wood. Although the church was simple, the congregation was very enthusiastic in their place of worship. A new brick building replaced the wooden structure in 1929. Our old church became the hen house on Milton Pearson's farm.

During the first year, various pastors of the district conducted the services until a student, Arthur Benson, assumed the pastoral duties. He remained until the fall of 1916, at which time the congregation became a part of the BrunswickGrasston Parish. At that time, the Reverend Oscar Ebb became the permanent pastor at an annual salary of $800.00.

The church celebrated their Diamond Jubilee in September 16, 1990.


Photos