Timeline
1856: The first church service is conducted for early settlers by Reverend Clausen, a circuit pastor from St. Ansgar, Iowa.
1859: The Little Cedar congregation is first organized on November 26th at a meeting in the log home of Hans Erickson Floen (James and Dorothy Bergene/Ryan Sathre farm. Charter members are Rognald and John Olson Holstad, Tideman and Eric Knutson Aaberg, John and Harold Irgens, Helge Floen, John Osmundson Hauske, Henrick Benson Hagen, John Olson Hesjedahl and sons, John and Ole, John Olson Qvale, Simon Knutson Vik, Ole Gullickson Tildenn and sons, Gullick and Tollef, Anders Olson Alrick, Ole Johnson Holstad, Rasmus Rasmussen Vignas and Nels Finkelson Prestehegge.
1859: The Little Cedar congregation is first organized on November 26th at a meeting in the log home of Hans Erickson Floen (James and Dorothy Bergene/Ryan Sathre farm. Charter members are Rognald and John Olson Holstad, Tideman and Eric Knutson Aaberg, John and Harold Irgens, Helge Floen, John Osmundson Hauske, Henrick Benson Hagen, John Olson Hesjedahl and sons, John and Ole, John Olson Qvale, Simon Knutson Vik, Ole Gullickson Tildenn and sons, Gullick and Tollef, Anders Olson Alrick, Ole Johnson Holstad, Rasmus Rasmussen Vignas and Nels Finkelson Prestehegge.
1863: The first church is built where the cemetery is now located. It is named after the Little Cedar River which originates in Marshall Township. The church is made of logs furnished by members of the congregation. It measures 30’ x 40’. While it is being constructed, the Civil War breaks out and Norwegians in the area respond in large numbers.
1871: On October 12th, several congregations unite, forming a single charge. The churches are Little Cedar, St. Ansgar, Rock Creek, Six Mile Grove and Blooming Prairie. Rev. P.G. Ostby (1871-1877), Rev. Clausen’s assistant, becomes their permanent pastor.
1874: The Ladies Aid Society is organized, including the West Aid and Northeast Aid
1875: The first Sunday school is held
1876: The original log building is replaced by a frame building. However, times are difficult and it takes ten years for all the furnishings to be completed.
1874: The Ladies Aid Society is organized, including the West Aid and Northeast Aid
1875: The first Sunday school is held
1876: The original log building is replaced by a frame building. However, times are difficult and it takes ten years for all the furnishings to be completed.
1877: Another parish alignment is made with Six Mile Grove, Mona, Lyle and Little Cedar joining and calling Rev. B.B. Gjeldaker (1877-1881) as pastor.
1901: Five acres of land are purchased for the sum of $450 and a parsonage is constructed. For two years previously, people in the Village of Adams talked of renting a building for worship instead of going out into the country for most of the village residents did not own horses.
1907: Cornerstone for the new church is laid on September 1st. The contract for the new church is given to Keefe & Donovan of Austin. It will be made of Menominee red pressed brick, 56x64 with trimmings of cut stone and will seat about 500.
1908: First service is held in the village church on March 22nd with the parsonage close by. At the same time, extensive remodeling is done on the church in the country in preparation for its 50th anniversary. This church is free of debt when it was completed.
1909: The steeple of the village church is struck by lightning in June of 1909 and is badly damaged.
1909: 50th anniversary celebrated in November. The new church was dedicated on March 28th.
1910: Wood frame country church burns to the ground on June 21, 1910. It is believed that a spark from a passing train ignited it. It is insured for $1,500 in the Mower County Farmers' Insurance company.
1900: Little Cedar and West Leroy become a parish.
1908: First service is held in the village church on March 22nd with the parsonage close by. At the same time, extensive remodeling is done on the church in the country in preparation for its 50th anniversary. This church is free of debt when it was completed.
1909: The steeple of the village church is struck by lightning in June of 1909 and is badly damaged.
1909: 50th anniversary celebrated in November. The new church was dedicated on March 28th.
1910: Wood frame country church burns to the ground on June 21, 1910. It is believed that a spark from a passing train ignited it. It is insured for $1,500 in the Mower County Farmers' Insurance company.
1900: Little Cedar and West Leroy become a parish.
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1906-1915: Pastor O.C. Myhre
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1916: A country school is purchased and moved to Adams for the religious release program
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1917: Son of the congregation, George
Nelson is ordained 1929: The congregation celebrates its 70th anniversary.
1944: The congregation celebrates its 85th Anniversary.
1945: Son of the congregation, Roy Breivik, is ordained.
1949: Evans Knutson, son of the congregation, is ordained.
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1988-1999: Pastor Donna Joseph
1997: Daughter of the Congregation, Kris Anderson is ordained
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2002-2009: Pastor Shari Mason
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2002: The Southland Faith Community Food Shelf was established
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2002: Congregation gives $100,000 gift to Luther Seminary for annual scholarship.
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2003: Congregation gives $100,000 gift to mission congregation, Peace Lutheran Church in Eyota, toward a church building.
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2004: Son of Congregation, Scott Roser enters Wartburg Seminary. The congregation pledges tuition support.
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2004-2005: Associate Pastor Lissa Kahl
2009: “Kids Against Hunger - 150th anniversary service project
2009: Congregational service groups begin to serve funerals, deliver meals-on-wheels, coffee hours and other service functions of the church originally done by circles.