Mankato Evangelical Lutheran Church observing their 150th anniversary

If a new community is being built and the people are to be taught about God, a congregation must be established. On Dec. 14, 1872, at Jewell Centre (Mankato), a meeting was called to organize such a congregation. Eleven voting members were present, electing John J. Aaboe, foreman, and Jacob Tonning, secretary. They resolved to affiliate with the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod. These intentions were sent to the foreman of the synod. In answer, a letter was received saying there would be a visit by Pastor G. Erdalh. He made his visit in the spring of 1873.

The congregation lacked a permanent building for its first 11 years. Services were held in members' homes, many at the Christopher Everson dugout, later his home and the Helge Severson home.

According to a deed dated Sept. 22, 1880, an acre of land was acquired from John Lingo for a cemetery in Section 23-3-8 (east of Mankato). The cemetery west of Mankato, SE 23-3-9, was deeded to the congregation July 16, 1883, by Christopher Everson.

In 1883, the congregation was busily engaged in constructing the first church building located two miles west of Mankato on land deeded by Mons Thronson. The old records indicated the proposition by McCarthy to build for $300 including material was discussed. The men of the congregation were to bring rock for the foundation. The size of the church was to be 30 feet by 22 feet and 12 feet high. Old receipts indicate lumber was purchased at Burr Oak with nails costing ten cents for two pounds. It doesn't state who did the building, but construction evidently progressed rapidly as services were held in the building in 1884.

The records for some 30 years after the organization in 1872 are in Norwegian handwriting. The last Norwegian services were held during the 1918 to 1920 pastorate of R. H. Wareberg. At the time of compiling the 100 year history, a member in the congregation, Martha Severson, spoke Norwegian, her native language, and could translate the early church records. When Martha died on May 6, 1989, the congregation lost their last true link to the church's Norwegian language.

The centennial booklet of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Norway states that in 1893, Morganville, Mankato and Norway built a parsonage and barn at Norway at a cost of $975.26.

On Nov. 11, 1908, the Jewell Centre Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran congregation was dissolved and the Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized as a new congregation with the constitution to be written in English. Annual meetings were to be held in October. This was later changed to the first Sunday in January, which was later changed to the last Sunday in January, which is what it is today. Other action was the adoption of the monthly envelope system as a means of defraying expenses.

Before the erection of the present church building, services were held in the courthouse, sometimes the old church west of Mankato, or other churches. Pastor Naeseth who served a small congregation in Kansas City and resided there, came to Mankato once a month by train for eight to 10 day visits.

At a meeting in the Mankato City Hall on April 30, 1910, a motion was made to build a church in Mankato. It carried with a unanimous vote. The present lot was purchased for $550. The members convened at the Missouri Pacific Depot on Oct. 20, 1910, signing the application to register charter members of the corporation of the recently formed congregation. The secretary was the railroad agent, J. B. Benham, hence the reason for the meeting place. Meeting again at the depot on March 7, 1911, the plans for the new building were discussed and the decision to have Mont Green proceed that year with construction for $3,000 was approved.

Pastor Naeseth concluded his tenure here and from 1911 to 1917 Pastor J. O. Wrolstad continued the same monthly trips from Kansas City by train as his predecessor.

A resolution was passed at the annual meeting on Oct. 8, 1915 extending thanks to the Young Peoples' Society for installing electric lights.

The merger of the Hauge Synod, the Norwegian Synod and the United Norwegian Lutheran Church took place in 1917, and brought into being the Norwegian Lutheran Church in America, which changed its name to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1946. Mankato was one of the five Evangelical congregations in Kansas at the time of the merger of 5,000 congregations with the American Lutheran Church on January 1, 1961. During the years 1917 to 1946, Mankato was aligned with the Norway Lutheran Church and St. Luke's Lutheran Church with the pastor residing in Norway.

In 1946, the congregation decided to venture forth on its own with the help of the Home Mission Department of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor Melvin Tatley was the resident pastor, and it was during his tenure that a house was moved in for a parsonage located directly west of the church. Pastor Mostul was the next resident pastor serving until 1956. From 1956 through 1961, resident licensed interns served the congregation. In 1961 to 1966 Pastor Geo. Neilson of the Amana Lutheran Church, Scandia served Mankato. In 1966, the congregation again aligned with Norway congregation and Pastors John Jones, Einar Smith and Duane Holst served as joint pastors.

In 1980, the congregation once again ventured forth on its own and called Duane Holst to be the resident pastor, followed by Pastor Michael G. Rose, then Pastor Ernest Larsen, then Pastor Elwin Bergstraesser, then Pastor Steven Little, then interim Pastor Jim Germer, then Pastor Kathy Redpath and now Pastor Dennis Beckmann.

In 2018, the current pastor, Dennis Beckmann, agreed to also serve the Norway congregation and is still doing so at the present time.

In 1973, it was voted to extend the original church structure with a 30 foot by 38 foot addition to the west which necessitated the removal of the parsonage. Construction was started in the summer and by December this addition was ready for Christmas services. The addition provided an enlarged seating area and the altar was moved to the east end of the building where it is now. A pastor's study and Sunday School room were added to the basement, as well as an enlarged kitchen and dining area. Much of the work was done by volunteers of the congregation, both men and women. The pews were refinished by the women of the church.

In 1974, a fund was started to obtain stained glass windows for the sanctuary and nave. The goal was soon met for installation.

In 1987, several Lutheran church bodies merged to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, known as the ELCA. Mankato voted to be a congregation of this body.

In 1993, the congregation voted to repoint bricks on the original structure for preservation and extend the building again. The project was not started until funding was available. The addition included a new pastor's study, library and overflow area upstairs, as well as access ramps to both the main and basement levels, enlarged entrance and complete renovation of the worship area on the upper level. Three additional Sunday School rooms were added and restrooms were added in the basement, with renovation of the existing kitchen and dining area. The Leroy Eaton construction crew was employed.

Along with volunteer help, the renovation was completed for the 1993 Christmas services. Additional pews purchased at a nearby church sale were refinished to complete seating for the worship area. In 2013, an elevator was installed to help the aging congregation and worshipers with disabilities.

In 2011, the congregation voted to leave the ELCA and become a part of the North American Lutheran Churches (NALC) and Lutheran Churches in Mission (LCMC). That affiliation remains with today.

Through all of the 150 years, the members and worshipers at Evangelical Lutheran Church, have asked God's guidance in serving Him and the community.