St. Olaf Lutheran Church

St. Olaf Church at Walum, in Greenfield Township, was organized June 1, 1885 at the Aslak Gunderson home by Pastor Gronvold.  Andrew Nelson and Martin Mossing, early pioneers, had been discussing this as they thought they should have church services and baptism for their children.  Present at this first meeting besides Aslak Gunderson, were Andrew Nelson, Charles Nelson, Martin Mossing, Evan Olson, Ole Fogderud, Isaac (Isaacson) Dobbedal, T. Mossing, Nels Austad, Tom Stee, and Knud Quisel.  The congregation's first officers were - Andrew Nelson and Even Olson, trustees

Isaac Dobbedal, secretary

Martin Mossing, song leader.

The services were held at the Gunderson schoolhouse, very irregular at first, whenever Pastor Gronvold could be there.  In 1888 Pastor P. A. THORESON was called as a resident Pastor.  He accepted and was installed September 23, 1888 for St. Olaf and Eidfjord congregations.  At first the congregation was named Bald Hill but was now changed to St. Olaf.

In December they voted to set aside one acre of land and contribute that towards a church building.  However, with dry years and hard times the actual building was postponed.  There was much discussion*on where the church should be located.  Some wanted it to be built at Hannaford, but the majority wanted it to be built on the plot of ground donated by ASLAK GUNDERSON since he had given it with that understanding, and also because many had their loved ones buried there.  On February 8, 1898 it was decided to build on the churchyard.  However as a result several families withdrew their membership and formed a congregation in Hannaford.  In October the same year a building committee was elected: 

Andrew Fogderud, T. Mossing, Charles Nelson, Ole Fogderud, and Aslak Gunderson.  During the following summer the church was completed and the cornerstone laid August 13, 1899.

On Tuesday, May 25, 1916: 

a cyclone broke over the southern part of the county.  Many buildings were ruined but people's lives were spared.  St. Olaf church was completely destroyed and was the sister church in Eidfjord.  In 1917 a new church was built with free-will gifts.  The cornerstone ceremony was held Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1917.  Pastor I. D. Ylvisaker, President of North Dakota District, gave the festival sermon.  Also that year D. N. ANDERSON was laid to rest in St. Olaf cemetery.  He painted the altar painting for the first church and also for the second church.  It is still in the church and means so much.

On July 11, 1920, Pastor Thoreson resigned after thirty-two years of service.  Before he left, the new church was dedicated on October 16, 17, 18, 1920.  Early in 1921, Reverend and Mrs. Thoreson and family retired to Fargo, and Reverend George Natwick arrived to become our pastor.  Then it was decided to have English for services five Sundays and Norwegian the sixth Sunday.  Soon the Norwegian was omitted entirely.  George Peterson re-organized the church choir, which he directed.  St. Olaf held their 40th anniversary celebration October 31 and November 1, 1925.  Reverend Haaland was pastor by this time and Rolf Syrdal was interne.  Reverend Thoreson attended this celebration.

In March 1926, Reverend Thoreson passed away and was brought back to be laid to rest in St. Olaf cemetery at his request.  His family attended the funeral together with the ministers of the Circuit and a great many friends.

On March 1927, Reverend Haaland resigned and Reverend E. C. Tollefson filled in until Reverend E. O. Stenson came in 1928.  He resigned in 1930 and Reverend E. O. Lee came.

During 1948 our parish was served by students from Concordia College.  We had services in the morning every Sunday.  In 1949 Reverend Roy Gilbertson came as our pastor.  He was a son of the congregation having been born in Walum and baptized in St. Olaf Church.  The Gilbertson's first son arrived during the year and was baptized in St. Olaf Church at the same baptismal fount as his father.  Joel Warren was the name given the baby.

Later in 1954, Pastor Bersagel came.  During this year Alfred Fogderud was appointed to translate the Constitution of the church from Norwegian to English.  A new Allen electric organ was purchased and the dedication was held Sunday, May 20 with Ralph Wallin as guest organist.  December 16, 1956 Reverend Bersagel resigned.

In June 1957 Reverend Alexander Thompson arrived with his family.  The Lutheran Herald was ordered for all members as a congregational project and at the annual meeting in 1958 the women were given the right to vote.  Reverend Thompson resigned in 1959.  Hannaford decided to resign from the parish leaving St. Olaf, Eidfjord and Union as a three-congregation parish.  It chose the name Trinity Parish.  Pastor Soren Urberg arrived in August 1959.  He organized a parish choir, which gave Christmas concerts in our three churches.  They also sang for our 75th Anniversary in June 1960, which was celebrated together with Eidfjord.

The next pastor was Reverend Milton Olson who served from 1964 to 1968.

Two of our oldest members - Mrs. Florence Wogsland, 91, and A. P. Nelson, 80, passed away this year of 1966.  Nelson was trustee for many years and, assisted by Percy Nelson, made a map of the cemetery, which hangs in the Sacristy.  A lighted cross on the church was given in memory of Mrs. Wogland and Mr. Nelson.

Reverend L. A. Staveness came next and served from 1968 to 1971.  The new parsonage was completed and Reverend and Mrs. Staveness were the first to live in it.

The names of a few who have the longest record of service as trustee are: 

A. P. Nelson, 20 years

Herbert Sonju, 16 years

Russel Wahl, 15 years

Christ Grinager, 12 years.  The present trustees are: 

Gilman Goplen, Carl J. L. Haugen, and Gerald Fogderud.  Deacons are: 

Marvin Linder, Ronald Berge, and Edwin Everson.  As Secretary: 

Nils Austad, 19 years

Gilman Goplen, 18 years

Glen Broten, 16 years.  As Treasurer, A. P. Nelson, 17 years

Conrad Fogderud, 18 years

Present treasurer, Mrs. C. Fogderud.  As organist: 

Margaret Hovland, 25 years, and Mrs. Glen Broten, 30 years.

Bible school and Sunday school were considered very important from the beginning.  Mrs. Thoreson brought her little ones with horse and buggy from the farm to the Gunderson schoolhouse on Sunday afternoons and conducted Sunday school.  Several succeeded her but Mrs. A. P. Nelson had the longest record of service, 40 years.  Mrs. Gilman Goplen came next and at present Ronald Berge is Superintendent.

Mrs. Thoreson organized the Ladies Aid at her home in 1892, and was President for 25 years.  Following her were Mrs. John Warn, Mrs. Betsy Everson, Mrs. O. M. Rognlien, Mrs. Ole Broten, Mrs. Nels Olson, Mrs. John Overby, Mrs. E. O. Lee, Mrs. Alfred Fogderud, Mrs. Edwin Everson, Mrs. A. P. Nelson, Mrs. Glen Broten, Mrs. Chris Grinager, Mrs. Richard Wogsland, and at present Mrs. H. O. Sonju with a record of 20 years.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 290