Augustana Lutheran prepares to celebrate 125th Anniversary
By Denise Bonsack, Publisher
The Swedish Augustana Evangelical Church was organized on January 14, 1899 with 55 members, and a class of 10 confirmands.
The first services were held in a range of locations, from the German Lutheran Church to schoolhouses to private homes and were conducted entirely in Swedish. They built their first building later that year at a cost of $4,000.
Now, Augustana Lutheran Church is preparing to celebrate their 125th Anniversary.
The buildings and the congregation have undergone many changes. The first class confirmed in English was in 1908. In 1932, the name was legally changed in the church’s constitution, ruling out the use of the Swedish language.
By 1949, when they celebrated their 50th anniversary, the membership had grown to 175 confirmed members and 269 baptized members. In 1962, the congregation purchased a new site in the southwest part of town. A new building that continues to be used today was completed in 1969. Now, while Augustana remains a viable congregation, they have joined two other area congregations to create the Neighbors in Christ (NIC) area parish, which allows them to share staff and resources.
It’s difficult to gauge how many baptisms, funerals, weddings and confirmations have been conducted, but you don’t have to look far to see the impact the church has had on its members.
Andrew Evenson is a former member who went on to join the ministry. He recalls the days of his Sunday School and Confirmation classes, and the impact his teachers had on him.
“Augustana taught me about community and how to be part of a good community throughout your life,” he says. “It’s the people that show up as volunteers and leaders that make a congregation like Augustana special.”
Marie Eckberg also grew up at Augustana and went on to become a minister. She has fond memories of singing in the junior choir, directed by her mother Pearl Eckberg, of teaching Sunday School and VBS after her confirmation in 1967, and she had her very first taste of preaching at Augustana when Pastor Cordes asked her to preach during a service that featured several youth members of the congregation. She still has her bulletin and the sermon she wrote for that service and notes that it was significant because at that time women were not ordained or even able to serve in leadership roles in the church.
An anniversary celebration is being planned for August 25th. A worship service at 9:30 a.m. will be led by Rev. Marie Eckberg and Rev. Andrew Evenson. There will be a time for sharing stories and memories of Augustana at 10:30 and a meal will be served from 11 to 12:30.
The Looney Lutherans will entertain the crowd from 1 to 2 p.m. and a coffee/bars and fellowship time will follow at 2.
RSVPs are due August 10th and can be mailed to Augustana Lutheran Church, PO Box 116, Gibbon, MN 55335. Please include the number of people attending as well as payment for the meal ($15 per adult, $10 per youth from 5-12), free for ages four and under. Include your name and phone number so they can contact you if necessary. Email augustana.secretary@gmail.com or call 507-381-3685 with questions.
