Norwegian Church History of Chickasaw County, Iowa

The History of the Norwegian Community At Chickasaw County, Iowa

By James H. Johnson Updated and revised 2024

The history of many Norwegian families in Chickasaw County is commingled with the history of four Lutheran Churches, namely Saude Evangelical Lutheran Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church (Crane Creek), Jerico Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Immanuel Lutheran Church (Saude).

The following is an attempt to chronicle a few of the significant events of this Norwegian Community from the perspective of a descendant of the Borlaug, Faaberg, Fretland, Kvaale (Qualley), and Ylvisaker families.

Early Settlers and Saude Evangelical Lutheran Church

We must admire these early immigrants. After reaching the port of embarkation, they often had to wait one, two, or even three weeks for repairs to the vessel on which they had engaged passage. Once underway, their trans-Atlantic voyage would last an average of seven weeks. With unfavorable sailing weather, this might stretch out to ten or twelve weeks. A passenger was usually required to have a supply of food for twelve weeks. What followed was the long and expensive journey inland to Chicago and Milwaukee. All in all, in the early years of immigration, the duration of the journey from Norway to the settlement, which was the immigrants' ultimate destination, was rarely made in less than nine weeks; often, it consumed as much as five months.

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, commonly called the Norwegian Synod, began its work in Iowa in 1851. In the summer of that year, Reverend Claus Lauritz Clausen (1820-1892), one of the founders of the Norwegian Synod, visited some of the Norwegian settlements in northeastern Iowa and preached there. He was the first Lutheran minister to preach a sermon in the Norse language in northeast Iowa. In February 1853, the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church Synod was created.

In 1854, a Norwegian settlement had been established in Utica Township, Chickasaw County, at what was then known as the Little Turkey River Settlement, and is now Saude. They came to this area in ox-drawn prairie schooners. Most of the settlers were born in Telemark, Norway. Under the leadership of Reverend Ulrik Vilhelm Koren, the first service was conducted in 1855. A congregation was organized at Little Turkey in 1857. Services were held in homes in those early days and later in a log church. The first Crane Creek settlers attended these services in the Saude vicinity.

The first Norwegian settlers arrived at the Crane Creek Settlement in Chickasaw County in Saude in 1863. These immigrants had settled first near Stoughton, Wisconsin. From Wisconsin, they journeyed to land near Vermillion, South Dakota, and established homesteads. The Civil War broke out, and there was unrest and disturbances in the air. The bloody Indian outbreaks at Spirit Lake, New Ulm, Willmar, and other places occurred. The new settlements in South Dakota were fearful of a like fate but were, at that time, unmolested. The day came, however, a year or two later when they, too, fled for their lives.

Another move was undertaken, this time to Chickasaw County, Iowa, particularly the Crane Creek area. The old covered wagons, sunbaked and rickety, were hurriedly loaded, the oxen hitched, and the flight, at a snail's pace, was on. Ten families comprised the original settlement. The following year, fellow countrymen arrived at this settlement directly from the Jostedal Valley on the Sogn Fjord in Norway.

The Saude Lutheran Congregation was organized by Reverend Ulrik Vilhelm Koren (1826-1910) at Little Turkey in the spring of 1857 as the Dale Norsk Evangeliske Menighed. Eleven families organized it. A log church was built as their house of worship. Records show that burials were made in a plot of ground in Howard County about 1.5 miles north of the present site as early as 1855 before the congregation was organized. Those buried there were moved to the present cemetery, "near the old oak tree with the usual commitment service on 19 May 1862."

In 1860, a 1.5-acre plot of ground in Section 20-97-11, Utica Township, was purchased. The first church, made of logs, was erected on this plot. This log church was replaced by a frame structure in 1875. That frame structure was struck by lightning and burned. The Altar painting, by the famous Norwegian-American artist Herbjorn Gausta, was saved from the fire. The painting adorns the present building, erected in 1903. The Norwegian words on the Altar say, "Den Gode Hyrde" (The Good Shepherd).

Except for adding more land, this is still the location of the church and cemetery. The church was located 11 miles north of Lawler. Besides being called the Dale Congregation, it has been known as the Little Turkey Congregation, The Norwegian Lutheran Church at Howard and Chickasaw Counties, and since 1922, as the Saude Lutheran Congregation. It has and is known as the "Synod" church, presently affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. It is the oldest congregation in the Synod, continuously affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The name ‘Dale Congregation’ was last used in 1870.

On 17 August 1875, the cornerstone of the second frame church building was dedicated by Reverend John Moses. Ola Anderson Sjobakken did the masonry, and Lars Moen of Calmar did the carpentry. The church was 60 feet in length, 40 feet in width, and 20 feet in height. The steeple was 14 feet square at the base and about 100 feet tall. The Chancel was 14 feet long and 20 feet wide. This second frame-church building was struck by lightning and burned to the ground on 8 July 1903.

The cornerstone of the present church was laid on 24 June 1904. Martin Johnson of Cresco was the building contractor, and the construction cost was over $6,000. The plans called for a seating capacity of 500.

The Crane Creek Congregation and Split

In 1864, Reverend Koren began to conduct services in the Crane Creek area. Many of the Lutheran congregations of northeast Iowa look to Pastor Koren as their founder, and he is gratefully acknowledged as the one who planted the church in this community. Early records indicate that at the beginning, he visited several families and later conducted services in a schoolhouse on the Andrew Anderson farm 1 1/2 miles northeast of Jerico. At first, these services occurred only every six weeks. Occasionally, services were also held in the Somerville schoolhouse.

The Crane Creek Lutheran Congregation was organized in 1867 by Reverend Ulrik Vilhelm Koren and sixty Norwegian pioneers. It was first known as the Crowe Creek Congregation. The name Crowe Creek was not used after 1874, when the congregation was renamed the Crane Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. The Crane Creek congregation was affiliated with the Norwegian Synod but did not officially join the Synod until 1877.

Due to the continued influx of immigrants from Norway, by 1869, the number of communicant members had grown to one hundred. That same year, Reverend John Christian Tordenskjold Moses became shepherd of the Crane Creek flock. He served in that capacity for twenty years. Under his leadership, the congregation was incorporated in 1871. In 1875, an ‘American’ named Sommerville donated land to construct a church building. Johannes Bjork laid the foundation as a gift. It was also due to the efforts of Johannes Bjork that the church received a bell soon after it was constructed. The building site was one mile east and two miles south of Jerico. The present church building stands on that first plot of land.

For various reasons, this building was not completed and dedicated until 1891. Although unfinished for nearly 17 years, the building was used for services during that time, and a joint confirmation service for Little Turkey Congregation (now Saude) and Crane Creek was conducted in 1875. The church was the center of the Norwegian community. Services were not held in the church every week. On Sundays, when there were no services, the men would hold devotions in their homes for their own families. When services were held, they were attended with great devotion.

The Crane Creek Congregation was reorganized by Reverend Moses on 16 May 1877, at which time the constitution recommended by the Norwegian Synod was adopted. Having applied for membership with the Norwegian Synod, the congregation was admitted as a member of at their District Convention held at Story City, Iowa, on 9 - 17 June 1877.

The 1880s were years of doctrinal controversy for the Norwegian Synod, and the Chickasaw County congregations did not remain unscathed. The controversy's basis was "... whether sinful man can in any measure contribute towards his salvation by his faith, OR whether faith itself is wholly a divine gift." The latter was the Norwegian Synod's viewpoint. The congregation became irreparably divided, and a virtual religious war developed, with guns, pitchforks, axes, and property damage.

In 1889, this dispute caused a split, and the church property was divided. Both congregations, Crane Creek and what would become Jerico, conducted services in the same church building for a while, which proved unsatisfactory. Eventually, the majority group, still affiliated with the Norwegian Synod present-day Jerico) made an offer to sell their portion of the property for $600. The minority group withdrew from the Norwegian Synod. They joined the "Anti-Missouri Brotherhood" and have continued to use the existing church building to this day.

At a meeting held on 27 October 1889, the congregation was reorganized, and a new constitution was adopted. On Friday, June 13th, 1890, Crane Creek became part of the United Norwegian Church in America. They were without a regularly called pastor for two years and were served by Reverend M.F. Lunde and Reverend Jørg L. Svenøe.

In 1891, Crane Creek shared a pastor with Immanuel Church, Saude; First Church, Cresco; and Ridgeway, Reverend Martin Paulson Dommersnaes. Dr. F.A. Schmidt installed Rev. Dommersnaes on 28 June 1891. Rev. Dommersnaes served this four-point parish for ten years, during which time he lived in Cresco and regularly traveled to conduct services at Crane Creek.

On 14 August 1900, Crane Creek’s first church building was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. This was a tremendous blow to the congregation. Within a week, a congregational meeting was held, and it was decided that a new building should be erected on the same site as soon as possible. Construction was delayed until the following spring. The total cost of the new structure was $3,600, including $332 for the bell. During the eleven months between the church burning and the dedication of the new building, services were held in several schoolhouses in the neighborhood. The new house of worship was dedicated by Reverend G. Hoyme, President of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church, on 28 July 1901. Earlier that same month, the church's cornerstone had been laid on the Fourth of July by Reverend J.O. Haugen of Decorah.

Pastor Lars Wilhelm Boe was then installed as congregation pastor in August 1901. The Cresco and Ridgeway congregations had separated from Saude and Crane Creek, and Reverend Boe became the first resident pastor of Crane Creek since 1889. A parsonage was built in 1903. Ole I. Olson, a congregation member, was the contractor. English services were first conducted during Pastor Boe's ministry.

In 1912, a more suitable meeting place for the Ladies Aid and Luther League and Christian instruction motivated the congregation to build a parish hall next to the parsonage. Ole I. Olson also constructed this building in 1913, assisted by congregation members. The parish hall was remodeled in 1953, including the addition of a large kitchen to the west and an entryway to the east. At this time, it was named Bethany Hall. For the first time in 1954, Crane Creek no longer shared a pastor with other congregations, and services were held every Sunday.

Immanuel Norwegian Lutheran in Saude

The Immanuel Lutheran Congregation in Saude was organized on 11 May 1889. Reverend M.F. Lunde of Decorah served as the first pastor. The congregation's name was decided to be the Immanuel Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, and a constitution was drafted. The first annual meeting was held on 9 November 1889 at the Saude Schoolhouse. At a meeting held on 14 December 1889, it was decided that a church should be built, and the dimensions of the building were stipulated. The church was built on land provided by Ole Haugen in the northeast corner of Section 29-97-11 of Utica Township. Services were first held in the new structure in the latter part of 1890.

The Immanuel Ladies Aid was organized in January 1889 by a small group of pioneer women. These ladies met once a month in their homes during the winter months and twice the rest of the year. In 1906, the charter members drew up a constitution. They held devotions in the Norwegian language until 1937 when Reverend Hans Finstad began using the English language.

The church was remodeled in 1911. The Sacristy, bell tower, and steeple were built, and the bell was installed. In 1924, the balcony was renovated, and the basement was built. In 1935, acoustic paneling was placed on the interior walls and ceiling to improve appearances and acoustics. The floor of the Sanctuary was tiled in 1950. The sacristy was remodeled in 1951, and a new organ was purchased in 1954.

For many years, the Norwegian language was used in the service and for business meetings. As the Norwegian language became less familiar to the congregation, it was replaced by English. In 1930, it was decided that all business meetings should be conducted in English. The constitution was translated into English in 1932. Immanuel Lutheran Congregation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa in 1961.

From its organization, Immanuel was a congregation of the United Church, which merged with the Norwegian Synod and the Hauge's Synod in 1917, forming the Norwegian Lutheran Church in America, which later became the Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1961, the Evangelical Lutheran Church merged with the American Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church to form the American Lutheran Church.

The last service was held at Immanuel in 1974. The burial site lies just west of the Saude Lutheran Cemetery, one-half mile north and one-half mile west of Saude, Iowa. At that time, its congregation combined with Crane Creek’s, and services were held at the Crane Creek building.

Jerico Lutheran Church

After selling their interest in the Crane Church property during the Norwegian Synod strife, the congregation was still known as the Crane Creek Lutheran Church until 1923, when it became the Jerico Lutheran Synod Church or the Jerico Evangelical Lutheran Church. The church continues to operate under the Articles of Incorporation dated 16 May 1877.

At a congregational meeting on 16 June 1890, the congregation decided to build a new church. The congregation purchased, from Tollef and Peter Johnson for $100.00, a tract of land in Section 27-97-12, Jacksonville Township, just east of the village of Jerico. The cornerstone was laid on 19 October 1890. On Thursday, 9 July 1891, the congregation marched in procession to the new church where the Dedication Service took place. The building was erected for $1,700. Because it was physically located in the village of Jerico, it was commonly called the Jerico Lutheran Church. This first church building burned in 1891. Eleven months later, on 16 June 1892, the church steeple was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. A new church was built within five months to the east of the former building. The cost was $1,800.00. This church building was dedicated on 20 November 1892.

The congregation soon outgrew this second church building. On festival occasions, the men would have to go outside to give the women and children a place to sit. In the spring of 1913, a building committee was elected. This new church building was constructed on the same site as the old one. Construction was begun in early June and was completed sufficiently so that the first service was held in the basement on 9 November 1913. The cornerstone was laid on 27 November 1913, and the building was dedicated on 24 May 1914. The total cost of construction was $12,000. The Jerico Ladies Aid held its first meeting on 18 October 1905 at Mrs. Nils Anderson's home.

Church services were conducted in the Norwegian language until January 1929. They were held twice monthly until 1941, when services began every Sunday in both the Jerico and Saude congregations. The regular use of Norwegian in the services continued until 1945. In 1943, children from the Jerico congregation began attending Christian day school at Saude. In 1947, the Jerico congregation began a Christian Day School in a building that was moved from Elma to its present location. In 1968, the Jerico and Saude schools began to operate jointly, with grades 1-4 at Jerico and grades 5-8 at Saude. The two schools were combined at Jerico in 1979. In 1951, a four-rank pipe organ was installed. The basement was remodeled, and restrooms were added in 1960. The church was re-sided in 1975 for $12,400.

Post Script:
Jerico Lutheran and Saude Lutheran once again share resources along with Redeemer Lutheran, a “town” church formed in the 1950s by members of the Jerico and Saude congregations. Jerico underwent extensive renovations in 2022, and the Norwegian Lutheran tradition continues in the area.

This text's PDF version includes extensive endnotes detailing many immigrants by name.

Chickasaw County Iowa: Chronology of Events

  By James H. Johnson

1837 - The first Norwegian settlers in Northeastern Iowa were two bachelors who came from Wisconsin to Fort Atkinson, 13 miles northeast of Lawler, about 15 miles south of Decorah. The US Government hired them to "teach the Indians how to farm (European style)." These two Norwegians plowed the first land in the Decorah area.

1851 - Reverend Claus Lauritz CLAUSEN was the first Lutheran Minister to preach a sermon in the Norse language on Iowa soil. He visited the Norwegian settlements of Painted Creek (north of Decorah), Turkey River, and Little Iowa, around the present Clermont, 37 miles southeast of Lawler. Rev. CLAUSEN was born and educated in Denmark. As he matured, he decided to dedicate his life to the service of the church, choosing missionary work as his special field.

1852 - Reverend Nils BRANDT met with the residents of the three settlements to call a pastor from Norway. The Letter of Call was issued through the Norwegian Lutheran congregation in Wisconsin, which authorized church officials in Norway to select a candidate. Reverend Ulrick Vilhelm KOREN, a recent graduate of the University at Oslo, received the call in the summer of 1853. Rev. KOREN preached his first sermon on Christmas Day at Washington Prairie, the mother church of all the churches that grew out of the Little Iowa Congregation. During all those years, Rev. KOREN resided at the parsonage near the Washington Prairie church.

1853 - The Synod of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, commonly called the Norwegian Synod, was formally organized.

1854 - The first settlers in the district known as Little Turkey were Ole G. VAALA, John Johnson LANDSVERK, John Svennungston BOLAAGER, Knut Olsen KULTAN, Kittle HAUGEN, Ole TOSTENSON, Jetmund KITTLESON, Aslag THORVILDSON.

Rev. Claus Lauritz CLAUSEN held the first baptismal ceremony (perhaps in 1859), at which time he baptized Birgit THORVILDSON and Gunild HAUGEN (Mrs. John TREIDEN).

Summer 1855 - Ministerial records show that the first death in the area was that of Martha JOHANSDOTTER, wife of Aslag NELSON. Martha and her husband and three small children lived in a "shanty." No one in the area at that time had cooking or heating ovens. They made a so-called chimney or fireplace on bare ground inside the shanty. Here, they would cook their food and keep warm. It is easy to understand what a fire hazard this would be. One day, when Aslag was away from home, the fire burned out of control. Martha saved her children, but she herself was burned badly and died shortly thereafter. There was no doctor to relieve her suffering or pastor to comfort her.

1855 - Records indicate that Norwegian burials were made in a plot of ground located in Howard County, about 1 1/2 miles north of the present site of the Saude Lutheran Church. A commitment service was held at Saude on 19 May 1862 to re-inter the remains near the old oak tree. These early burials are recorded as Martha JOHANSDATTER, d. 1855 (braendt tildode) Leif LEIFSON, d. Oct 1855, age 35 years, birthplace: Hitterdal Ola Olson VINDEDAL, d. 9 Aug 1856, age 28, birthplace: Leirdal Gjermund KETILSON, d. Sept 1856, age 41, birthplace: Maeland, Telemark Sander KITTLESON, d. 1857, age 3, birthplace: Rock Prairie, Wisconsin Ola Gregerson VAALA, d. May 1858, age 51, birthplace: Sovde Tobias TOLLEFSON, d. 1859, age 5, birthplace: Wisconsin Ola HALVORSON, d. 1860, age four mo, birthplace: Chickasaw County, Iowa Severina HENRICKSON, d. Feb 1861, birthplace: Chickasaw County, Iowa Francis Ann SAHLS, d. April 1861, age 2, birthplace: Chickasaw County, Iowa Charles Adam SAHLS, d. Dec 1861, birthplace: Chickasaw County, Iowa Kari TOLLEFSDOTTER, age 15, birthplace: Hvidseid, Norge.

26 Nov 1856 - Rev. KOREN conducted worship services in the home of Gregor Olson VAALA. Twenty-four people partook in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Anton, son of Andreas Olson SARINGEN and Eli SARINGEN, was baptized. (Some ministerial acts performed by Pastor KOREN are recorded in the first record book at the Washington Prairie congregation.)

12 May 1857 - The first Baptism was held at Saude. The following were baptized: Ole ANDREAS, parents Sivert OLSON and wife; Gjori ENGEBRIGHTSDOTTER; Eli OLSDOTTER, parents Anders OLSON and wife Eli; Johan HEREMIOR, parents Jetmund KITTLESON and wife Johanna OLSDOTTER.

12 May 1858 - A congregation called the "Dale Congregation" and/or "Little Turkey Congregation" was organized by eleven families. The Pastoral record book refers to "Little Turkey and annexed congregations." Among the organizers were John Johnson LANDSVERK, Tollef Olsen HAUGEN, Aslag THORVILDSON, Knut Olsen KULTAN, Kittle Kittleson STORDALEN (Stardabu), Halvor EIVINDSON, Ola TOSTENSON, all from Upper Telemark. John Svenungson BOLAGER, and the brothers Alf Olsen VAALA & Gregor Olsen VAALA, from Lower Telemark; Knut Tostenson (Jorgenson) EINANG from Slidre, Valders.

1 Jun 1858 - A pastoral Call letter from the Little Turkey Congregation was delivered to Rev. KOREN of Washington Prairie. The letter was signed by John SWENMUNGSON, Tobias JACOBSON, Ole THORSTENSON, Kittle OLSON, Tollef OLSON, John JOHNSON, Kittle KITTLESON, Knud OLSON, Aslag THORVALDSON, Anders LARSON, Seivert OLSON, John SALL (SAHL), Anders OLSON, Svenung SVENUNGSON, Ole KITTLESON, Gregor OLSON, Alf OLSON, widow Anna LARSDOTTER, widow Ragnild JONSDOTTER, widow Johanna OLSDOTTER (Mrs. Johanna HALVORSON). This Letter of Call, dated 1 June 1858, becomes the date of the founding of the Immanuel Lutheran Church at Saude.

1860 - The Saude Lutheran Congregation purchased from Andreas & Cornelia LARSON a 1.5-acre plot of ground located in Section 20-97-11 of Utica Township. The location was then known as Little Turkey. Besides being called the Dale Congregation, it has been known as the Little Turkey Congregation, The Norwegian Lutheran Church at Howard & Chickasaw Counties, and in 1922, the Saude Lutheran Congregation. The congregation built a 30' x 20' log church at its present location. On 19 May 1862, the old cemetery was moved to the new church building site.

1863-64 - Twelve Norwegian families arrived at the Crane Creek Settlement:From Jostedal came: Ole Anderson Kluven MJOLVER, Hans Olson MJOLVER, Thor Halvorson FAABERG (FOUBERG), Hans Olson NIGAARD, Kristian Olson STEINBAKKEN, Otto Olson NYGAARD and Soren Torbjornson FAABERG; also Melchoir Munson SCHELDRUP, and Mikkel Monson RONNEI from Luster; Halvor Nilson LYSEN and Jetmund Knudson BJERKE from Laerdal; and Helge MATHIESON and Mikkel SKARE from Hardanger. They had sojourned for a while near the Koshkonong settlement in Wisconsin, followed by their migration to the Missouri Valley near Yankton, South Dakota. They were forced out of South Dakota by Indian uprisings and were forced to retreat to Chickasaw County, Iowa.

1864 - Rev. KOREN, who had served Little Turkey and other congregations since 1857, began conducting services in the homes and schools of the Crane Creek area.

15 Mar 1864 - Andrew (ANDERSON) was born and was, in all probability, baptized by the young Rev. KOREN on his visit to the settlement in 1864.

1865 - Neil ELLINGSON and Lars Robinson HELGEGAARD arrived in 1865.

2 Sep 1866: Christopher J. (O) NATVIG and Kristina HOFFLAND were the first couple to marry in the church at Saude.

14 Jul 1867 - Pastor KOREN officially organized a congregation of sixty members. There is no known record of the names of these sixty founding members. It was first known as the Crowe Creek congregation. This name was used only for a few years, and the congregation was named Crane Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation.The Record Book of "Little Turkey and annexed congregations" recorded:First Baptism - 1867 Johannes Olson BORLAUG (1867-1868)

First Confirmation - 14 July 1867, the class of 13 included Kristi Nilsdotter ELLINGSON (1848-1890), Mrs. Knute K. STEENSLAND, and Miss. Emma MUNSON is a member of the Little Turkey Congregation, and Anders ROBINSON is a member of the Crane Creek Congregation.

First Marriage - 1867, Hans JORGENSON & Sigrid ASLAGSDATTER.

First Burial - 1867, Ola JETMUNDSEN.

22 Apr 1868 - Ingeborg Jensdotter YLVISAKER (1828-1868), wife of Johannes Johnson FRETLAND (1827-1903), was buried by Reverend KOREN. [Great grandmother of the author of this paper.]

1869 - Membership of the Saude Lutheran Church had grown to 100. Before this time, Rev. KOREN would come from the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, a rural church about 6 miles southeast of Decorah, to conduct services at the four "annexes." Now, each of these four congregations called their own pastor; they were no longer "annexed" to Washington Prairie. Crane Creek and Saude "called" Reverend John Christian Tordenskjold MOSES as their first resident Pastor.

Apr 1869 - Ola Olsen KVAALE (1849-1916) and Martha Halvorsdotter FAABERG (1842-1869) were married by Rev. KOREN.

4 Sep 1869 - Martha Halvorsdotter KVAALE (1842-1869) was buried by Rev. MOSES.

20 Oct 1869 - The first Confirmation Service was held at Saude.

1870 - A parsonage was built near the present site of the Saude Lutheran Church.

1871 - The Crane Creek Congregation was incorporated.

1872 - The first property was purchased for the present Crane Creek Church.

1874 - No further reference to the "Crowe Creek Congregation" was found. By this time, the name "Crane Creek Norsk Evangelisk Luthersk Menighed" was more commonly in use.

1875 - Construction began on the Crane Creek church building. It was located one mile east and two miles south of Jerico. The land was donated to the Congregation by the "American Sommerville." Johannes BJORK, the first one who had emigrated from Jostedalen to America, built the foundation for this church for FREE. It was sold fifteen years later to a minority of the Congregation. Completion and dedication of the building was delayed until 1892.

17 Aug 1875 - Reverend MOSES laid the cornerstone for the frame church at Saude. Included in the cornerstone was a document drawn up by Rev. MOSES: "This area in which we dwell is called Little Turkey Settlement in Utica Township, Chickasaw County, Iowa." Since its organization in 1857, three men have served as teachers in the religious school: Knud Tostenson EIVANG, Knud Svendson FEDT, and Sjur Baardson VIKDAL.

15 Aug 1875 - Reverend John MOSES dedicated the first frame church of the Saude Lutheran Church at Saude, Utica Township. This 40' x 80' x 100' frame church building cost $4,000 to erect. $200 was spent on the gold guilding on the altar and pulpit. Trustees were: Ole P. DYBEVIK, Halvor HALVORSON, and Nils H. OFFERDAL.

1875 - A joint Confirmation Service was conducted for the Saude and Crane Creek congregations.

25 Oct 1876 - Rev. MOSES confirmed Jens Johnson FRETLAND (1862-1931). [The Grandfather of the author of this paper.]

8 February 1877 - A meeting was held at Little Turkey to discuss the formation of a Norwegian parochial School. It was suggested that, given the congregation's recent establishment and heavy financial burden, it would be most difficult to support a full-time teacher, although everyone was in agreement that this would be the right thing to do.

16 May 1877 - "The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church on Crane Creek" was incorporated as a part of the Norwegian Synod. This act made Crane Creek a parish in its own right, as opposed to being an "annex" under the direction of Little Turkey. Lars HELGEGAARD represented the congregation at the Norwegian Synod District Convention held at Story City, Iowa. The Trustees were: Jetmund KNUTSON, Bernt J. SUNVOLD, Erik Erikson SLINDEE. Members of the Council were Helge MATHISSON, Halvor NELSON, and Endre Endreson GORDON (1827-1906).

22 May 1877 - The Crane Creek Articles of Incorporation were filed in the District Court of Chickasaw County.

25 Oct 1877 - Ragnhild Olsdotter FAABERG (1865-1936) was confirmed by Rev. MOSES (aka Nellie JOHNSON) and Mrs. Jens JOHNSON. [Grandmother of the author of this paper.]

Between 1862 and 1878, the following families arrived from Norway:Ingebrit OLSON, Thomas HALVORSON, Ole ANDERSON, Hans OLSON, Jetmund KNUTSON, Halvor NELSON, Otto OLSON, Miller Johnson BJERKE, Andrew SEVERSON, Attley ATTLESON, Peter JOHNSON, Tollof JOHNSON, Andrew GORDON, Lars Robinson HELLEGAARD, Halvor MUNSON, Andrew THOMPSON, Severt KNUTSON, Ole THOMPSON, Hans BREUM (BRAHAM), Jacob JERDEE, Ole I. NJUS, and Thomas THOMPSON.

In the 1880s, a doctrinal controversy arose in the Norwegian Synod, of which Little Turkey and Crane Creek were members. The first reference to the controversy was made in 1882. This controversy was referred to as the "Election Controversy" and/or the "Predestination Controversy." Its basis was "...whether sinful man can in any measure contribute towards his salvation by his faith or whether faith itself is wholly a divine gift." It would eventually split the congregation and develop into a civil war. These two groups fought not only with words but also with actions. For a while, both factions conducted services in the same church building, and both continued to be known as the Crane Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. This proved an unsatisfactory solution. Eventually, the minority group paid the majority group, $600 for all rights to the Crane Creek Church property.

When it was over, one-third of the congregations and pastors had withdrawn from the Norwegian Synod.

23 Mar 1887 - John Ingvald JOHNSON (1887-1956), son of Jens and Nellie JOHNSON, was baptized by Rev. MOSES. Atle JENSEN (1819-1889), Ola O. FLATEJORD (1825-1910), Kari JENSEN (1844-1923), and Elen FLATEJORD (1871-1942) were his sponsors.

May 1887 - The Crane Creek Ladies Aid Society was organized at the home of Gunnar and Kari HALVORSON. Those present were: Kari HALVORSON, Kari OTTESON, Ingeborg NELSON, Kari ATTLESON, Kari Ellestad JOHNSON, Martha Ellestad JOHNSON, Betsy GORDON, Sonneva I. OLSON. These ladies were all from families that could later withdraw from the Norwegian Synod and form the Crane Creek Congregation (Anti-Missouri Synod).

Jan 1889 - A small group of pioneer women organized the Immanuel Ladies Aid. The Charter members were; Cecilia VIKDAL, Henrietta NERISON, Mrs. Aagot GILBERT, Lena HAUGEN, Clara ARNOLD, Lena SANDERSON, and Aasta ELLEFSON. The following ladies belonged to the aid but did not sign the constitution: Mrs. John HAUGEN, Mrs. John SIME, Mrs. Ole HEREID, Mrs. Olaf LEE, Mrs. John RINDE, and Mrs. John VIKDAL.

29 Jan 1889 - The "Anti-Missourians" (present-day Crane Creek) motion to withdraw from the Norwegian Synod passed by a vote of 23 to 20.

7 Mar 1889 - Little Turkey voted to call a new Pastor, requesting that Rev. MOSES "continue to serve as pastor until the new Pastor takes charge." The controversy referred to as the "election controversy" was settled at Little Turkey in this manner: " In the future, the election controversy shall not be discussed at any meeting of the Saude congregation."

11 May 1889 - The Immanuel Lutheran Congregation at Saude was organized by seven families (98 souls).

22 May 1889 - The trustees of the Crane Creek congregation were removed from office for opening the building to "sectarian pastors" (Reverend M.F. LUNDE). The division of church property was discussed, but no decision was reached.

24 May 1889 - Pastor MOSES offered his resignation. The Crane Creek congregation refused to accept his resignation.

21 Jun 1889 - Jerico agrees to call a pastor jointly with Saude.

29 Sep 1889 - Reverend Johannes G. NESS was installed as pastor of Saude and Jerico. Although the division of the two factions at Crane Creek was inevitable, a second congregation had not been formed at the time Rev. NESS was installed.

27 Oct 1889 - A minority of the Crane Creek Lutheran Church, approximately 190 members, joined the "Anti-Missouri Brotherhood." At a meeting held on 27 October 1889, the congregation was reorganized, and a new constitution was adopted. The Council included Attle ATTLESON, Gunnar Halvorson, and Andrew GORDON. The membership included: Endre E. (1827-1906) & John E. GORDON (1861-1904), Tollev & Peter ELLESTAD, Atle JOHANNES, Jens & Thorkeld ATTLESON, Ole O. FLATJORD, Ole O. HAUGEN (1825-1910), Jetmund ANDERSON, Mikkel & Ole IVERSON (NJOS), Jens NORTHNESS, and Jens JOHNSON (1862-1931). Reverend M.F. LUNDE was called as Pastor.

9 Nov 1889 - The Immanuel Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation held its first annual meeting at the Saude Schoolhouse. The following families were received as members: Steinar ELLEFSON, Ole K. Olson HAUGEN, John T. BJONDALEN, John J. SIME, John J. LANDSWERK, Anders P. LANDSWERK, Amund HANSON, Thorkeld J. BJONDALEN, Baard S. VIKDAL brothers and sisters, Rollef ELLEFSON and Sondre S. LEE.

14 Dec 1889 - The Immanuel Norwegian Evangelical Congregation decided that a church should be built, and the dimensions of the building were stipulated. Services were first held in the new structure in the latter part of 1890.

1890 - The "Anti-Missouri Brotherhood" helped form the "United Norwegian Lutheran Church" (Forende Kirke).

11 Feb 1890 - A meeting was held to discuss the division of the property at Crane Creek. The "Anti-Missouri" group had refused to sell their share of the property for $300. The Norwegian Synod majority offered $500 to purchase the property.

16 Feb 1890 - The "Anti-Missouri" group refused the $500 offer and $700 was offered.

31 Mar 1890 - Ole A. ANDERSON, Iver O. DALLEN & Lewis ROBINSON, acting as Trustees of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Crane Creek, in consideration of the sum of $600.00 paid by Attle ATTLESON (1819-1889), Tollef J. ELLESTAD & Ole I. OLESON, Trustees of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Crane Creek (This is not an error, both parties used the same name.) sold by Quit Claim, all rights, title, and interest in the Crane Creek Church property.

13 Jun 1890 - Crane Creek Lutheran Church became a part of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church in America.

16 Jun 1890 - The Jerico congregation voted to build a new church.

Jul 1890 - The Little Turkey congregation purchased land in the village of Saude for ten dollars. A church was built on this site.

27 Aug 1890 - The Jerico congregation purchased land near the village of Jerico for $100. The official name of this congregation remained Crane Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation. However, due to its location, it soon became known as the Jerico Lutheran Church.

19 Oct 1890 - The cornerstone of the Jerico church was laid.

9 Jul 1891 - Rev. NESS dedicated the Jerico church building. The cost of construction was $1,700.

28 Jun 1891 - Crane Creek and Immanuel Church called Reverend Martin Paulsen DOMMERSNAES as Pastor.

6 Sep 1891 - The Crane Creek Church building, started in 1875, was dedicated. Mildred Bertina JOHNSON (1891-1980), daughter of Jens and Ragnhilda JOHNSON, was baptized by Reverend Martin Paulsen DOMMERSNAES.

16 Jun 1892 - A bolt of lightning struck the Jerico Church steeple, and the church burned to the ground.

20 Nov 1892 - The Jerico Church was dedicated by Prof. Lauitz LARSEN, Luther College's first president. This new building was located to the east of the former building. The cost was $1,800. The church bell was donated by Mr. John NILSON, not a small gift for one man.

Feb 1895 - Pastor Johannes G. NESS passed away. Rev. Ejvind BROCH served as interim Pastor of the Saude Lutheran Church.

Sep 1895 - Rev. Karl XAVIER became Pastor of the Saude Lutheran Church & the Jerico Lutheran Church.

1 Jan 1899 - A new 1,000 lb. bell rang over the Crane Creek Church.

29 Oct 1899 - Harold Edward JOHNSON (1899-1970) was baptized by Rev. DOMMERSNAES at Crane Creek. [He is the Father of the author of this paper.]

14 Aug 1900 - The first Crane Creek Church was struck by lightning and consumed by fire. John A. GORDON, George OTTESON, Thomas ATTLESON, Ole THRONDSON, Mikkel I. NJOS, Ole I. NJOS, and Otte OTTESON were elected to the building committee.

25 Nov 1900 - The Little Turkey River Congregation (Saude Lutheran Church) celebrated the 25th anniversary of the dedication of its church building. ELS President T. A. TORGERSON gave the anniversary sermon.

14 Jul 1901 - Rev. DOMMERSNAES resigned as pastor of Crane Creek.

28 Jul 1901 - The present Crane Creek Church was dedicated. The Trustees were G. OTTESON, K. SNETHUN, and M. NJOS. Thomas ATTLESON was the secretary, and Attle ATTLESON was the treasurer.

4 Aug 1901 - Rev. Lars Wilhelm BOE became Pastor of Crane Creek.

2 Oct 1901 - The Crane Creek Ladies Aid Society was reorganized. Those present were: Mrs. George OTTESON (1854-1931), Mrs. Peter ELLESTAD, Mrs. Tollef ELLESTAD, Mrs. Albert HERMAN (1875-1920+), Mrs. Martin (Ellen) NELSON (1871-1942), Mrs. Torkel ATTLESON, Mrs. Jens ATTLESON (1823-1907), Mrs. Otto O. OTTESON, Mrs. John GORDON, Mrs. Anna H. PETERSON, Mrs. James Nellie) JOHNSON (1865-1936), and Mrs. Fred CHRISTENSON.

1902 - The present site of the Crane Creek parsonage was purchased, and a residence was built.

Summer 1903 -  Rev. Karl XAVIER (1869-1924) resigned as Pastor of Saude Lutheran Church and Jerico. Reverend Jacob G. RUGLAND (1867-1947) was Called.

8 Jul 1903 - The Saude Lutheran Church was struck by lightning and burned to the ground.

1904 - The Crane Creek Luther League was officially organized.

24 Jun 1904 - The cornerstone was laid for the Saude Lutheran Church, pastored by Rev. RUGLAND. The Trustees were K.K. Steenslands, Muns Munson, and Iver S. Grinde.

26 Jun 1904 - The Crane Creek church was dedicated and furnished for $6,000.

18 Oct 1905 - The Jerico Ladies Aid Society held its first meeting. Those attending were Mrs. Nils ANDERSON, Mrs. Andrew ELLINGSON (1850-1907), Miss Ida ELLINGSON (1890-1964), Mrs. Nils ELLINGSON, Mrs. Louie GROVE, Miss Carrie SLINDEE, Mrs. Erik SLINDEE, Mrs. J.G. RUGLAND, and Mrs. E. ATTLESON (a visitor).

It should be noted that they still referred to themselves as "The Crane Creek Ladies Aid (C.C.Kvf.).

2 Sep 1906 - Mildred Bertina JOHNSON (1891-1980), daughter of Jens & Nellie JOHNSON, was confirmed.

Sep 1909 - Pastor RUGLAND received a Call to North Dakota; as he favored the proposed merger of the Norwegian Synod, the congregation advised him to accept the Call. Reverend Martinus K. BLEKEN (1865-1922) was called to Saude and Jerico.

1911 - The Immanuel Lutheran Church in Saude was remodeled; the sacristy, bell tower, and steeple were built, and the bell was installed.

Jun 1913 - The Jerico congregation had outgrown its church building, so it was dismantled and a new one constructed.

9 Nov 1913 - First service conducted in the new Jerico Church.

27 Nov 1913 - The Cornerstone of the Jerico Lutheran Church was laid, and the building was dedicated on 24 May 1914.

1913 - Crane Creek parish hall was completed.

7 Jun 1914 - Harold Edward JOHNSON (1899-1970), son of Jim and Nellie JOHNSON, was confirmed at Crane Creek by Rev. HELTNE.

1917 - The Norwegian Synod, The United Church, and the Hauge Synod merged to form the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ALC/ELCA). However, a small group of Norwegian Synod congregations, including Saude and Jerico, did not join the 1917 merger. This small group reorganized the Norwegian Synod in 1918, and today, it is known as the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

1918 - Before 1918, the Saude Lutheran Church Ladies Aid's devotion and business meetings were conducted in Norwegian. In 1918, the use of English began.

Dec 1922 - Pastor M.K. BLEKEN died. The Little Turkey Congregation changed its name to the "Saude Lutheran Congregation." The Saude Congregation, independent since 1917, voted to join the Norwegian Synod of the American Evangelical Lutheran, currently the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Jan 1923 - At a meeting of the Saude Lutheran Church, it was decided that they should join the "reorganized Synod." Rev. Peder C. FORSETH was called to Saude Lutheran Church & Crane Creek as interim Pastor.

Mar 1923 - Rev. Helge Mathias TJERNAGEL (1871-1940) was installed as Pastor of Saude and Crane Creek.

1924 - In 1924, the Seventh annual convention of the ELS was hosted at Jerico. The Recessed Convention of the ELS again met in Jerico in 1960.

23 Aug 1929 - Reverend Hans H. FINSTAD baptized Harold James JOHNSON.

1930 - The majority of the congregations decided that all of the business meetings should be conducted in English.

25 Apr 1931 - Andrew ANDERSON (KLEIVEN) (1864-1931) died. He was the first Norwegian child born in Saude.

1932 - The Constitution of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Saude, was translated into English.

1935 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Saude, the balcony was remodeled, and the basement was built.

1937 - For many years, Norwegian was the language used in the services and for business meetings. As the Norwegian language became less familiar to the congregations, it was replaced by English. In 1937, Rev. Hans FINSTAD began using English in his services.

1941 - In 1941, the Jerico congregation assisted in establishing a sister congregation in New Hampton. Over time, a number of members were transferred from Jerico to Redeemer Lutheran Church.

23 Aug 1941 - Lutheran Daughters of the Reformation was organized at Crane Creek by Jeanne HALVORSON, Arldine HALVORSON, Anna Mae HALVORSON, Mavis SANDERSON and Charlene GORDON.

21 Jun 1942 - Crane Creek celebrated its 75th Anniversary; those serving on the church council were: Andrew THRONDSON, John J. ATTLESON, Alfred VIKDAL (1907-1991), Halvor FLATJORD (1874-1955), Edward GORDON and Andrew NYSTLE.

1947 - In the summer of 1947, Members of the Jerico Lutheran Church, who had used the school at the Saude Lutheran Church, were moved to establish a Christian day school of their own. In that same year, a joint Jerico-Saude Lutheran Youth Society was formed.

1954 - Immanuel Lutheran Church purchased a new organ.

28 Aug 1956 - Crane Creek Lutheran Church purchased a portion of Section 11, Township 96, from members of the MARKLE family.

1961 - The Evangelical Lutheran Church merged with the American Lutheran Church and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church to form the American Lutheran Church.

13 Jun 1965 - Immanuel Lutheran Church celebrated its Seventy-Fifth Anniversary, 1889-1964. Shortly after this, the church was demolished. The bell with a plaque is still in Saude.

26 June 1967: Joseph JERDEE, Ward KNOLL, Arthur G. LEE, Charles ORVIS, and Lowell J. LARSON signed Crane Creek's Articles of Incorporation.

1968 - A Men's Club was formed at the Jerico Lutheran Church.

18 November 1973 - The Jerico Lutheran Church celebrated the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Cornerstone Laying of the present church building.

10 May 1974 - Immanuel Norwegian Lutheran Congregation and the Crane Creek Norwegian Lutheran Congregation were disbanded. Together, they formed a new congregation, Immanuel Lutheran Church, using the Crane Creek church building.

Pastors who served the Norwegian Congregations of Chickasaw County, Iowa

BIBLIOGRAPHY

District Court, Chickasaw County, Iowa; Articles of Incorporation, filed for record 22 May 1877

District Court, Chickasaw County, Iowa; Quit Claim Deed, filed for record 31 March 1890

HOLAND, Halmer Rued, "De Norske Settlement Historie," (Ephriam, WI,1908), pp 390-394

"Seventy-fifth Anniversary, 1867-1942, Crane Creek Lutheran Church",(Decorah, Posten Press, 1942)

TWEIT, M.E., "One-Hundredth Anniversary, Saude Lutheran Church," (n.p., 1958)

STEWART, J. David, "Crane Creek Lutheran Church, Centennial, 1867-1967", (Decorah, Anundsen, 1967)

"One hundred Twenty-fifth Anniversary, Saude Lutheran Church"

"125th Anniversary, Jerico Lutheran Church", (New Hampton, Iowa,1992)

District Court, Chickasaw County, Iowa; Articles of Incorporation, filed for record 19 July 1967

District Court, Chickasaw County, Iowa; Deed Record 82, # 3448, filed for record 28 August 1956

District Court, Chickasaw County, Iowa; Deed Record 79, # 3448, filed for record 28 August 1956

NORLIE, O.M., "Norsk Lutherske Menigheter i Amerika, 1843 - 1916", (Minneapolis, Augsburg Publishing house, 1918), Vol. I, pp 350-1

NESS, Rev. J.G., "Kirkentidende, Vol 15", (Norwegian Synod,15 August 1891), pp 518-519

FERKENSTAD, Craig, "This Generation of Grace," (Mankato, Lutheran Synod Book Co., 1993)

"History of the Scandinavians in the U.S.", page 99

The New Hampton Tribune, Vol 92, No. 22, 1 June 1967, page 1

ORVICK, George M., "Our Great Heritage, A Popular History of The Evangelical Lutheran Synod," (Mankato, Lutheran Synod Book Co., 1968), pp 25-32

BERG, Rev. Donald L., "The First Norwegians in Northeast Iowa",(Western Viking, 26 Nov 1993), page 10

MALMIN, Rasmus, NORLIE, O.M., Tingelstad, O.A., "Who's Who Among Pastors in All The Norwegian Lutheran Synods of America, 1843-1927", Minneapolis, Augsburg Pub., 1928)

New Hampton Tribune, 30 June 1955, page 3

"Seventy-Fifth Anniversary, Immanuel Lutheran Church"

The assistance of the following church historians is acknowledged and appreciated:

a. Rev. Craig A. Ferkenstad, Rt 3, Box 40, St. Peter, MN 56082

b. Rev. Donald L. Berg, 407 Leif Erickson Dr., Decorah, IA 52101-1038

c. Duane W. Fenstermann, Archivist, Preus Library, Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, IA 52101