ONE ROAD TOWNSHIP
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CONGREGATION |
In the years of 1895-96 several families of Norwegian and Swedish descent arrived in Roberts County and settled in what is now Drywood Lake and One Road townships. They were without any organizations whatsoever. No schools or churches. Rev. L.E. Kjelaas was at the time serving a small congregation and in the winter of 1897 just a few days before Christmas he held the first service in the new settlement. On January 2, 1898 at the home of Nels Lysing it was decided to organize a congregation. On January 24 another meeting was held at the John Lindberg home at which time a constitution voted to name the newly organized congregation, "Bethel." Rev. Kjelaas was called to serve as pastor of the congregation. The church was built in 1906. |
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Anders Svalstad and Lars Hove organized the first congregation and named it "Hellige Trefoldighet Menighet" (Holy Trinity Congregation) The Norwegian name was later changed to the Bethel Congregation. A Sunday school was then organized to make religious training available to the children.
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In the 50's and 60's Bethel Church was combined with Zoar and Buffalo Lake Lutheran as a three point parish served by one pastor. (Eventually Peever was included in this.) Bethel Lutheran Church held their last service in 1971 and the building was torn down in 1989. Information taken from the Sisseton Centennial book. |
