A little news from Northwestern Wisconsin
Froen’s congregation in Dunn County, Wisconsin, was founded by Professor Laur Larsen, then a priest at Rush River, and was later served by the priests Hagestad[1], Thorstensen[2]and Krog. Now it is served by Pastor Dietrichson[3]from Eau Claire. It has hitherto been divided into two parts, with most families living about five miles from Menomonee, while seven families with five voting members live 11 miles further away at the so-called Cranberry Creek.
In February 1875 these five came together one evening and decided to build a small church. They were bored with having their services in the family homes, and although they were few, they would, in the name of God, lay hands on the work. Of course, as soon as the decision was announced there was no shortage of ominous predictions on the part of the surrounding Conference people. The church would never be finished it was said, or if it were finished, the farmers would be forced to leave house and home. But in spite of these prophecies, the church has been finished, and instead of having to leave their farms, the congregation’s members declare that they have not felt any need for the expenses they have had. The money for the church has come just as easily as for other expenses, and they have only been given a new reason to thank God for his grace and blessing. And not least, they felt it this past Tuesday the 5th of December, when the church was consecrated.
For the festival, which was favored by the most beautiful weather, several guests had gathered both from Froen Congregation at Little Elk Creek and from the newly formed congregation in Eau Claire. In addition, the "Northwestern Wisconsin Special Conference" was invited to hold its Winter Meeting there and to attend the Inauguration of the church. Of Priests were thus present Dietrichson, Haakonsen,[4] M. Thorsen,[5]and the undersigned.
After the Entrance Prayer was lifted to God by Pastor Thorsen, and Psalm 94 in Guldberg's Psalm Book was sung, I spoke from the choir door about Psalm 126:3.[6] In so many words I sought to show how the Lord here had shown his grace and mercy to the church, having given it both the will and the ability to build this house of God, and how we therefore had reason to rejoice, but also that our joy must be a joy in the Lord, if it should be pleasing to God.
The inaugural speech was given by Past. Haakonsen. He had chosen Psalm 43: 3-4 and showed how the church became a House of God, when:
1) The Lord with his light and his truth dwelt there and was preached there, and
2) when he was allowed to enlighten their hearts and thus also take up residence in them.
He concluded with a fervent prayer for the Lord's blessing on the Church, its mourner, and its members. The closing prayer was read by Pastor Dietrichson.
During the festival, an offering was made for the Teachers' Salary Fund, which amounted to $43.45.
The church is built without a choir and tower, but is nevertheless both beautiful and cozy. Its size is 28x22x12. The work was undertaken by Ole G. Lund; but, as far as I know, all the male members have helped with the building. The congregation’s youth had raised $46 to donate to the church for the altar and pulpit covers, as well as the altar and crucifixes.
On Wednesday morning we had a public Discussion Meeting where we discussed "the Spiritual Priesthood" and on Thursday morning we had a Worship service with Communion. We priests used the afternoons for discussions between ourselves.
May the Lord then bless the word which was heard both in these and will later be heard in the little church! May He grant by grace that the word which must always be preached pure and clean in His honor and for the bliss of many souls! Amen.
Baldwin, Wisconsin, 8th January 1877 H.J.G. Krog
[1] Ole Johan Knutsen Hagestad (1838-1881) served Rush River from 1863-76.
[2] Knut Thorstensen (1839-1914) served in Menomonie from 1866-74.
[3] Isak Levin Preus Dietrichson (1849-1920) served in Eau Claire from 1876-79.
[4] Harald Fredrik Haakonsen (1848-1895) served Sand Creek Wisconsin from 1874-79.
[5] Marcus Thorsen (1840-1917) served Rush River et al from 1874-1917.
[6] “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.”
