Hartington
Nebraska
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Trinity Lutheran Church - Hartington
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH HISTORY
The first Bow Valley Norwegian Evangelical Church as built in Hartington in 1886. The site, the northeast corner of what is now the intersection of Oak Avenue and Main Street, was donated by the Omaha and Northwest Railroad Company. Cottonwood lumber was hauled from the Iverson Sawmill located in Brookey Bottom near the Missouri River. The finishing lumber was purchased from Edwards and Bradfords Lumber Company in Hartington. Total cost was $1,500. During 1931, this church was sold to the Lutheran congregation in Crofton and became Trinity Lutheran Church and is served by pastors from the Hartington parish. Rev. N.G. Tvedt became the first resident pastor serving from 1880 to 1907. He and his family resided in the Paragon vicinity and he served several parishes.
Rev. A.J. Nervig served from 1907 to 1918. Two large church bodies, the Norwegian Synod and the United Church, consolidated in 1917. Rev. Jersing Thompson was pastor from 1918 to 1924. During this time a complete synodical program was adopted and the name Trinity Lutheran Church was chosen.Rev. A.M. Peterson (1924-1929) helped in the directing of the building of the new Trinity Lutheran Church and parsonage. The latter was completed in 1927 and the Peterson family became the first residents. The church cornerstone was inscribed with "The Word Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone" April 29, 1928, and the church costing $17,000 was completed and dedicated October 21, 1928. Rev. Harry Gregerson served the congregation from 1929 to 1934. During the early 1930's, Rev. Gregerson and the Trinity Lutheran Church choir broadcast from station WNAX in Yankton, South Dakota. Rev. Gregerson's dream of having a regular Sunday broadcast became a reality with "Lutheran Vespers" from the Chapel in the Hills in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Rev. A.J. Thorson was the next pastor (1934-1942). This period showed extensive growth in the congregation. Bible Camp work was begun, Vacation
Bible School was held, and the Luther League was active. Rev. O.L. Leverson was installed January 26, 1942. During the eighteen years that he was pastor,
the corner lot and dwelling across the street west of the church was purchased and used as a Parish House. Rev. Robert Mattheis was installed as pastor in 1962. During his tenure, the Parish House was torn down and the present brick parsonage erected. It was dedicated April 28, 1963. The former parsonage was used for Sunday School rooms. March 1965, Rev. Kenneth L. Franzen accepted the call to serve Trinity Lutheran Church. During 1967, the old parsonage was sold and moved. A new Fellowship Hall adjoining the church was built. It was dedicated June 23, 1968. The church basement was remodeled into Sunday School rooms. Pastor Franzen conducted his last service June 15, 1975.
Pastor David Astrup was installed September 28, 1975. Memorial funds were used to purchase the symbol placed above the entrance to the Fellowship Hall. Pastor Keith S. Holste became the pastor June 14, 1981. He promoted Advent Soup Suppers and was very active in Community Caretakers. A Parish Nurse program was started. Carpet was installed in the Fellowship Hall for acoustical purposes. Saturday
evening services during the summer months were begun. Pastor Paul Reimers assumed the duties of interim pastor February 1, 1990, and in August was called by the congregation. An improvement committee was formed to suggest and implement new projects. The first and largest was an elevator addition in 1992. A new opening for better sound from the pipe organ was added. The church was Completely painted, new carpet was laid throughout the church, pew cushions were purchased and indirect lighting was added on both sides of the nave. A new stage curtain was bought for the Fellowship Hall. A new Fair Stand was built. Pastor Robert Bryan who had been ordained June 26, 2004, was installed in Trinity Lutheran August 8, 2004. He began his ministry with enthusiasm for pastoral care and Worship. While retaining the liturgical elements of Lutheran traditions, he has incorporated new songs along with old favorites. New, user-friendly, worship bulletins, which include liturgy and songs, have been introduced. The congregation continues to grow and is blessed with families of all ages.
As Trinity Lutheran Church approaches its 135th anniversary in 2008, we continue to welcome all eople to experience the love of God, the presence of the Holy Spirit and the forgiving Grace of Jesus Christ with us in worship and fellowship.
The first Bow Valley Norwegian Evangelical Church as built in Hartington in 1886. The site, the northeast corner of what is now the intersection of Oak Avenue and Main Street, was donated by the Omaha and Northwest Railroad Company. Cottonwood lumber was hauled from the Iverson Sawmill located in Brookey Bottom near the Missouri River. The finishing lumber was purchased from Edwards and Bradfords Lumber Company in Hartington. Total cost was $1,500. During 1931, this church was sold to the Lutheran congregation in Crofton and became Trinity Lutheran Church and is served by pastors from the Hartington parish. Rev. N.G. Tvedt became the first resident pastor serving from 1880 to 1907. He and his family resided in the Paragon vicinity and he served several parishes.
Rev. A.J. Nervig served from 1907 to 1918. Two large church bodies, the Norwegian Synod and the United Church, consolidated in 1917. Rev. Jersing Thompson was pastor from 1918 to 1924. During this time a complete synodical program was adopted and the name Trinity Lutheran Church was chosen.Rev. A.M. Peterson (1924-1929) helped in the directing of the building of the new Trinity Lutheran Church and parsonage. The latter was completed in 1927 and the Peterson family became the first residents. The church cornerstone was inscribed with "The Word Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone" April 29, 1928, and the church costing $17,000 was completed and dedicated October 21, 1928. Rev. Harry Gregerson served the congregation from 1929 to 1934. During the early 1930's, Rev. Gregerson and the Trinity Lutheran Church choir broadcast from station WNAX in Yankton, South Dakota. Rev. Gregerson's dream of having a regular Sunday broadcast became a reality with "Lutheran Vespers" from the Chapel in the Hills in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Rev. A.J. Thorson was the next pastor (1934-1942). This period showed extensive growth in the congregation. Bible Camp work was begun, Vacation
Bible School was held, and the Luther League was active. Rev. O.L. Leverson was installed January 26, 1942. During the eighteen years that he was pastor,
the corner lot and dwelling across the street west of the church was purchased and used as a Parish House. Rev. Robert Mattheis was installed as pastor in 1962. During his tenure, the Parish House was torn down and the present brick parsonage erected. It was dedicated April 28, 1963. The former parsonage was used for Sunday School rooms. March 1965, Rev. Kenneth L. Franzen accepted the call to serve Trinity Lutheran Church. During 1967, the old parsonage was sold and moved. A new Fellowship Hall adjoining the church was built. It was dedicated June 23, 1968. The church basement was remodeled into Sunday School rooms. Pastor Franzen conducted his last service June 15, 1975.
Pastor David Astrup was installed September 28, 1975. Memorial funds were used to purchase the symbol placed above the entrance to the Fellowship Hall. Pastor Keith S. Holste became the pastor June 14, 1981. He promoted Advent Soup Suppers and was very active in Community Caretakers. A Parish Nurse program was started. Carpet was installed in the Fellowship Hall for acoustical purposes. Saturday
evening services during the summer months were begun. Pastor Paul Reimers assumed the duties of interim pastor February 1, 1990, and in August was called by the congregation. An improvement committee was formed to suggest and implement new projects. The first and largest was an elevator addition in 1992. A new opening for better sound from the pipe organ was added. The church was Completely painted, new carpet was laid throughout the church, pew cushions were purchased and indirect lighting was added on both sides of the nave. A new stage curtain was bought for the Fellowship Hall. A new Fair Stand was built. Pastor Robert Bryan who had been ordained June 26, 2004, was installed in Trinity Lutheran August 8, 2004. He began his ministry with enthusiasm for pastoral care and Worship. While retaining the liturgical elements of Lutheran traditions, he has incorporated new songs along with old favorites. New, user-friendly, worship bulletins, which include liturgy and songs, have been introduced. The congregation continues to grow and is blessed with families of all ages.
As Trinity Lutheran Church approaches its 135th anniversary in 2008, we continue to welcome all eople to experience the love of God, the presence of the Holy Spirit and the forgiving Grace of Jesus Christ with us in worship and fellowship.
