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By the Rev. Burton Larson Before the village of Hartland came into being, the Hartland and West Freeborn synod churches had a church and cemetery on the Lars (Louis) Knutson farm owned by Albert A. Miller. It is now owned by L. E. Marlin. In 1877, at the time the Minne apolis St. Louis railroad came to Hartland, it was found that a building in Hartland would be more convenient. A movement was started for construction in 1890. The Rev. L. P. Jenson was pas tor at that time. Services were held in rented buildings until the church edifice was finished. The corner stone was laid in 1891 and the building dedicated the same year. The cost of the church was $2,306.24, there being at that time 60 heads of families in the mem bership who contributed to the building fund, and donations from others outside the congregation were accepted. The directors of the first organi zation were Bartil Nelson, John Hatle, Lars (Louis) Knutson, Hal vor Siblerud, treasurer and Julius C. Siblerud, secretary. The mem bership at that time was about 200. Until 1892 the pastorate here was filled from Albert Lea. Pas tors were O. H. Smeby, L. P. Jenson, T. A. Torgerson, H. J. Strand, A. J. Lee, O. T. Lee. In 1908 the Rev. John J. Strand served and was succeeded by Thor J. Strand. Shortly after Rev. John J. Strand arrived a large comfortable par sonage was built and occupied by him during the remaining 16 years of work. The synod church holds morning services every two weeks. Two Ladies Aid societies, known as the East and Hartland societies, are very active, giving great aid in church work. A young people's so ciety is also very active and holds regular meetings. There is also a choir. On March 4, 1915, half of the Hartland Norsk-Evangelisk-Luther iske synod Meminghed canceled their membership and formed a new Minnesota corporation known as the Hartland Norwegian Evan gelical Lutheran Synod congrega tion of Hartland. The Rev. J. H. Lunde was called as pastor. New Church Built A new church was built in June, 1915, by A. G. Runden, G. A. Jack son and Phillip Hanson of Hay ward, at a cost of $6,682.84. The bell alone weighed 1,200 pounds and cost $539. This was purchased by the Ladies Aid as were the pews, other furnishings and fix tures. The wiring and lights were contributed to by the Young People's League. Donations from $5 to $300 came from 80 members. The Immanuel Lutheran church stood where Ed Reistad now has his new home. It was organized in the township of Hartland on Dec. 23, 1876. The Rev. P. G. Ostbye was the first pastor. First officers and trustees were Jens Thoreson, Lars Seberson, Martin Christopher son and Andrew Rogn, secretary. Meetings were held in the school house. The first services held in Hart land village was on Sept. 2, 1890, in the small church building which served as a meeting place for var ious denominations during its ex istence. This was while the Rev. A. Anderson served. The Rev. G. O. Belsheim was the next pastor called and it was during his pastorate in 1899 that plans were made for the congrega tion to build a church edifice of its own. The building was erected that same year. It had two rooms, di vided into two compartments, be sides the main auditorium, lecture and study rooms. Rev. Naeg suc ceeded Rev. Belsheim and re mained until the summer of 1908 when he was called to Austin. The Rev. Nils Kleven was the next pastor. He lived in Albert Lea. He also served the Immanuel Lu theran church, Albert Lea, as well as the one at Hartland. Rev. Klev en served only two years. He was promoted to the head of Minne sota churches later. Churches United The Rev. Edward Nervig was his successor. On May 4, 1920, the Hartland Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran synod congregation and the Immanuel Lutheran churches united into one body. Both Rev. Edward Nervig and Rev. J. H. Lunde had to resign. Rev. Nervig and his family were called to the Trinity Lutheran church of New Richland and Le Sueur. He later left to answer a call at Canton, S. D. Members of the Immanuel Lu theran church of Albert Lea joined the First Lutheran church, Albert Lea. The first pastor after the con solidation was the Rev. C. S. Hal vorson of Frost. He remained un til 1927. The Hartland Lutheran church has two brothers that were born, baptized and confirmed here. They are the Rev. Arnold Nelson, who has retired and is living in Califor nia and the Rev. Selmer Nelson, who is at Laverne, Minn. Rev. Halvorson was called to Windom. The Rev. J. Wulfsberg was then called. His father was one of the first pastors in Free born County, pastor of the Cen tral Freeborn church. Rev. Wulfs berg died while serving this con gregation on Jan. 29, 1955. A new parsonage was built before he died at a cost of about $22,500. There are six mission circles and an altar guild within the con gregation. The Roberts family of Hammond, Ind., gave the church a set of chimes as a memorial.
Newspaper Details
Albert Lea Centennial Tribune
Albert Lea, Minnesota, US
Fri, Jun 07, 1957
Page 69
Full Page
Clipped by
Kya Z.
USA 16 May 2026
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