Methodist Church

The Norwegian- Danish Methodist Episcopal Church of Romness, later known as the United Methodist Church, was started by Reverend Fritz L. Trelstad, who was employed by the American Sunday School Union.  In that work he had a chance to hold a series of meetings in places where no organized church existed.  During the winter of 1901, Reverend Trelstad held cottage meetings in the homes in Romness and a revival resulted in many committing their lives to God and continuing in His service.

In May 1901, a congregation was organized by Presiding Elder J. A. Jacobsen.  A camp meeting was held in June, in John Hogenson's grove.  The Trelstad brothers, Fritz and Anton, and also Martin Hellerud were the preachers.  As the congregation had no church building the services were held in schoolhouses and in private homes until 1903, when land was given by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Idsvoog and a building erected on it.  The congregation received the charter on May 6.  Three members mentioned on the charter were Peter P. Idsvoog, Gudmund Gudmundson and John Hogenson.  The building was dedicated in 1904, free of debt, and it never had a loan.  T. M. Hauge was then pastor and H. C. Munson was the presiding elder.

The following pastors have served the church: 

Fritz Trelstad, T. M. Hauge, N. C. Hanson (whose family occupied the classroom area for a while), A. W. Rosness, H - O - Jacobsen, C. A. Joranson, J. Korsmo, G. Gilbertson (later known as Gilberts), O. Asp, B. Oakland, Lee Paulson, G. Hjelmaas, John Nymark, Loren Pugsley, Alfred Anderson, C. F. Nelson, Ralph W. Davis, Chris F. Miller, William Samuel, Glen S. Gabel, D. James Farnham, Robert F. Collitt, Doyle A. Buss and Lionel P. A. Muthiah.

The Romness Church has not been served by the Finley-Hope Parish since 1968.  The church is still part of the United Methodist Conference.  Only two services have been held there in recent years, one in August, 1973, and one in August, 1975, when descendants of the Hogenson family, Romness pioneers and charter members gathered for reunions.

There are 26 buried at the Romness Cemetery and many still living retained their memberships in the Ladies Aid or other organizations after the church building ceased to be used for regular services.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 386