Around 1880, Pastor I. L. Lundeby was stationed at Valley City, North Dakota as a mission preacher sent out by the Norwegian and Danish Conference of North America. His mission field extended from Lisbon, Ransom County along the Sheyenne River and way up to Devils Lake. At that time there were two small congregations organized in the area. They were called Haabet (Hope) and Wheatland. Later on it was decided to organize these two small congregations into one congregation so, therefore, on November 2, 1884 these two congregations merged and thus came into being Union Lutheran Congregation. At this meeting a Letter of Call was issued to Pastor Lundeby for their permanent pastor. This required Pastor Lundeby to give them at least six Sunday and Holiday Services, and six everyday services during the year at a salary of $90.00. At this same meeting, NELS HEMMINGSON offered the congregation a piece of land for a cemetery. The first regular officers elected were as follows:
Deacons - Andreas Benson, John J. Haugen and Kristian Lee
Trustees - Edward Stai, Mathias Fjelsland and Einar Stromme
Treasurer, Nels Hemmingson and Secretary, Frithjof Greenland. During the next few years services were held in homes and later in schoolhouses. Many services were held in the hayloft in ALBIN FORSBERG'S barn during the summer months.
According to information received from relatives, Knut Kalvik was baptized at services in this barn, as perhaps others were as well.
On May 1, 1895, the Union Congregation voted to begin the building of a church. The work on the church foundation was started June 1, 1895. The following met to take part in labor of making the foundation of the first Norwegian Lutheran building in Griggs County, North Dakota:
Johannes Haugen, Hans Haugen, Ole O. Kaastad, Knut Kalvik, Albin Forsberg, Daniel Syverson, David Kalland, John J. Haugen, Johannes Kalvik, Haldor Stromme, Fritjof Greenland, August Johnson, Edward Stai, and John Vik. The first services held in this church were held July 28, 1895. Of the first baptized in the new building, Mrs. Gertrude (Kalvik) Vedo is the oldest living baptized member. She now lives at Benedict, North Dakota. Iver Haugen is the oldest living member at this writing.
On June 16, 1896, at a legal congregational meeting, a request was made to be taken up as a member in the conference of the Norse-Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church. Andrew Benson was the delegate chosen to attend the convention at Sandhill, Minnesota.
There not having been any deaths, the land received from Nels Hemmingson was returned to him and a more suitable place for church and cemetery was chosen on the Albin Forsberg farm where the church now stands.
In 1924 a re-alignment took place and Union, Eidfjord, St. Olaf and Hannaford became a parish. Before that time Union, Ness and Lund had been a parish. The following pastors have served Union through the years:
Pastor I. L. Lundeby from beginning until 1886
Reverend O. K. Quamme, 1886-1904
Pastor P. A. Thoreson, temporary, January 1905-September 1905
Reverend Henrik Voldal, 1905-1908
Pastor A. E. Midthun, temporary
Pastor N. J. Vikingstad, 1909-1914
Reverend Sigurd Olson, 1914-1921
Reverend John M. Haaland, 1921-1927
Reverend E. C. Tollefson, temporary, 1927-1928
Pastor E. O. Stenson, 1928-1929
Pastor E. O. Lee, 1930-1947
Student Pastor Lewis Bakke, 19471949
Reverend Roy Gilbertson, 1949-1953
Reverend E. L. Bersagel, 1953-1957
Reverend Alexander Thompson, 1957-1959
Reverend Soren S. Urberg, 1959-1963
Pastor Milton Olson, 1963-1968
Pastor L. A. Staveness, 1968-1971
Reverend Arvild Jacobson, 1971 to present time.
On February 1, 1959, Hannaford Congregation was granted a release from the Hannaford parish. This resulted in the formation of the Trinity parish of Union, St. Olaf and Eidfjord congregations.
In the fall and winter of 1957-1958, an addition to the original church was built as an overflow room, Sunday School and educational building, as well as a Ladies Aid parlor. This addition included a kitchen. Recently completed was some remodeling and repair and a small addition to the present entrance.
Union is still a very active congregation and celebrated their 90th Anniversary June 24, 1973.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 290