Chapter 20
-- Compiled by the Cumberland Women's Club
and Published by the Cumberland Advocate
1874-1974
(used by permission of the Cumberland Advocate)
Donated by Linda Mott
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First Lutheran Church
In 1876 Norwegian immigrants who had settled in the Section Ten area east of the present city of Cumberland organized a Christian congregation under the leadership of Pastor C.J. Helsem. This congregation, now East Cumberland Lutheran, included many persons, who, six years later, in 1882, established a new congregation in Cumberland now known as First Lutheran.
In 1886 First Lutheran united
with Lutherans of Swedish descent in the building of a church to be used
cooperatively until further construction would be necessary. This church
was completed in 1887 on a site donated by O.A. Ritan.
Fine Christian cooperation was enjoyed between the two congregations for
20 years. The agreement was terminated when Augustana
Church was built in 1907.
Significant dates are:
1876--Organization of East
Cumberland Congregation.
1882--Organization of First
Lutheran.
1883--Joined the Norwegian-Danish
Conference.
1885--Sunday School was organized.
1886--Erection of church building.
1889--Organization of Ladies
Aid.
1891-92--Organization of Men's
Society and Youth People's Society.
1897--Affiliation with Lutheran
Free Church.
1963--Affiliation with The
American Lutheran Church.
Pastors who conducted services
in the early years were C.J. Helsem, N.B.
Olsen, and O.O. Risvold. The congregation
was organized under the leadership of N.B. Olsen
(1882-1891). Other ministers who served are: A.J.
Logeland (1891-1906), Hans Ostgulen
(1907-1912), Carl Amundson (1912-1921), Ellef
Christianson (1921-1930), E.F. Brandt
(1931-1943), Horace E.
Nyhus
(1943-1957), students H. Fullilove and D.
Gusdal (1957-58), and Erling N. Carlsen (1958-present).
Notable "firsts":
First Confirmation class--1887.
First secretary--Hans
Amble.
First treasurer--Lars
Benson.
First deacons--O.C.
Lovass, Hans Almoas, L.L.
Gunderson.
First trustees--O.A.
Ritan, Frederick Finson, Andrew
Gisness.
First Sunday School Superintendent--O.C.
Lovaas.
First "klokker"--Ole
Gisness.
Members of the present congregation
who are children of charter members--Mrs. Mary Lovass
Rovie, Mrs. Laura Lovaas Engesether,
and Mrs. Mary Almoas Johnson. Other living
children of charter members are Mrs. Minnie Lovaas,
Ahlf,
Jack
Lovaas,
Albert Gisness and Andrew
Gisness.
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of God in Christ (Mennonite)
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