History Of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Proctor, MN

Present address:

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

701 Third Avenue

Proctor MN 55810

 

75th Anniversary

Bethlehem Lutheran Church ALC

Proctor Minnesota

July 23-24, 1983

"Built on the Rock"

1908-1983

 

"Built on the Rock"

Built on the Rock the Church doth stand,

Even when steeples are falling;

Crumbled have spires in ev'ry land,

Bells still are chiming and calling;

Calling the young and old to rest,

But above all the soul distrest,

Longing for rest everlasting.

History of the Church

On Christmas Day, 1908, several families gathered at the home of Peter Foss and proceeded to organize the first Lutheran congregation in Proctor, Minnesota

Under the guiding hand of the Rev. J.A. Bjerke, pastor of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in the West Duluth, these seven families brought into existence the Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Proctor, so named because of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Christmas Day in the little town of Bethlehem in Judea.

Our founding families, in addition to that of Peter Foss, include those of Andrew Johnson, Michael Johnson, Peter Olson, Olaf Swanson, Ole Wang, Thore Bjornaas and Martin Hanson.

During the years 1908-1911, services for the infant congregation were conducted first in the Village Hall and then in the Methodist Church building. In 1911, a frame structure was completed at the corner of 3rd Avenue and 7th Street. It was not until 1938, twenty-seven years later, that a parsonage was built on the opposite corner.

For seventeen years, from 1908-1925, Bethlehem shared pastors with Our Savior's Lutheran Church in West Duluth. Other pastors, in addition to J.A. Bjerke who served from 1908-1911, were J.C. Reinertson, 1912-1914; B.L. Opdahl, 1914-1919; and Daniel Halvorson, 1920-1925. In 1925, F.B. Anderson became the first resident pastor. He served until 1928.

During the earliest years, all services and meetings were conducted in the Norwegian language, but by 1919, English was being employed almost totally.

Several organizations had come into being throughout this time, including the Dorcas Ladies' Aid, the Sunday School, a Young People's Society, a Boys' and Girls' Club and a choir. Some of these organizations were superseded in succeeding years by the Ladies' Guild, the Philathea Society, the Brotherhood, the Cradle Roll, and the Senior and Junior Leagues.

In the Spring of 1925, it was learned that the District Mission Board had decided to make a parish of Floodwood, Culver, Canyon and Proctor. This arrangement continued until 1929 when Floodwood was dropped from the parish, and by 1942 only Canyon and Proctor maintained a parish posture.

In October 1948, during Pastor B.J. Blikstad's ministry, the congregation's 40th anniversary was observed with a morning worship service, an afternoon, program of music and an address by Pastor I.J. Tanner, and an evening session, with Pastor E.G. Larson bringing the message.

In the early 50's, it became more and more apparent that the need for a larger building was becoming imperative. Three alternatives were presented: 1) to build a balcony on the existing church; 2) to expand the church building; 3) to construct a new building. The latter option was adopted.

Following a fund-raising drive in 1954, the ground breaking ceremonies took place in September. Construction was done with donated labor and hired supervision. A year later the cornerstone was laid and the first worship service was held in the new building on Christmas Day, 1955. The dedication was held on April 22, 1956.

Also in 154, a joyous and blessed day came when Dwight Ellefson, the only son of the congregation to go into the full-time ministry, was ordained in the old church.

In 1957 the old church building was sold to a member of the congregation for the price of $2500.

Between 1957 and 1959 new hymnals with new liturgical forms were introduced, and the decision was made to join other Northern Minnesota churches in the purchase of a Bible camp on Lake Vermillion.

Bethlehem's first official church secretary, Mrs. Dorothy Peterson, was hired in 1959. That same year, the custom of using greeters at Sunday morning worship services was introduced, and the YES program for youth was adopted. Also, publication of a monthly periodical, The Parish Profile, was launched, with Mrs. Marie Holmstrand as editor.

In 1960, the St. Peter's Church at Canyon withdrew from the parish arrangement with Bethlehem.