Our Saviour's Lutheran Church

of Baxter History
On Reformation Day, October 31, 1870, a charter was drawn up by which a group of early
settlers associated themselves and formed a congregation. They were the nucleus of Our
Saviour's Lutheran Church of Baxter. Their charter preceded the organization of Baxter
Township, which took place in 1871, and of Lac qui Parle County which was organized in
1872.
The following signed the charter of Our Saviour's:
Tidemann I. Lund, Aad Anderson, O. Heieren, Johannes L. Mork, Peter Simpson,
__Fredrickson, Johnson, Ole Helgeson, Lars Johnson, E.N. Heieren, Colben A. Agsdale, John
A. Agsdale, Amund O. Dahlen, Gunden Helgeson, Erick Olson, PederL. Flackerud Hans J.
Borgendalen, C. M. Axdal, A.B. Lund, Hergus Halvorson, Daniel Danielson Froshaug, Per
Steffenson, Tollef Satersmoen, Johan Larson, Ole Gunderson, Hans Toriusson, Andreas,
Amrud, Anderson Olsen Slotete., Torus Hansen, and John Toriussen.
An organizational service was conducted by Rev, P.S. Reque of Pope County. The baptism of
Julia Mork, the first white girl born in Baxter Township, was also a part of that charter date.
Rev. J.L. Markus of Norway Lake, also held services that year. Because of the severe cold and
heavy snow of 1870-71, no further organizational meetings were held although Rev. O.E.
Solseth held services in the woods or in the small houses along the river.
The first business meeting of the new congregation was held June 17, 1872, at the Peter
Simpson farm. Rev. Solseth was formally called to be the pastor and, in 1873, the church was
incorporated.
More immigrants came and the congregation grew rapidly. In 1874, the congregation joined
the Norwegian Evangelical Synod in America. In 1883, Our Savior's severed connections with
this Synod because of doctrinal differences.
The congregation was unaffiliated until 1890 and then joined the United Church Synod. They
have continued with this affiliation through various mergers and name changes until the
present time.
The early years were times of prairie fires, blizzards, grasshopper plagues, and financial
panics. In spite of these hardships, the congregation voted to build a church home. When a site
was chosen for the church and cemetery members living several miles to the west decided to
separate and start a congregation of their own.

In 1878, this group became Borgund Lutheran congregation. Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
joined them and Minnesota Valley Lutheran in calling Rev. L.M.A. Hoff as pastor. He served
the three churches for 23 years, 1879-1902.
During that time, Pastor Hoff organized many churches in the area, including Trinity in
Dawson of whose charter membership some had been charter members earlier of Baxter.
A church building committee was elected in 1881 and construction was begun after
harvest. The church was completed that year.
In 1887, and addition was built with a chancel, sacristy, altar and pulpit, and a balcony
with a stairway at each side. In 1889, the church was painted.
In 1890, the bell was installed and the church building was dedicated. By 1900, realignment
was being considered and, when Rev. L.M.A. Hoff resigned in 1902, Our Saviour's called a
pastor with Trinity Lutheran in Dawson. Rev. S.O. Rondesvedt served them both until 1912.
He furnished his own house and was paid $1,000.00 1 year, $500.00 from each congregation.
When Rev. G.S. Froiland was called, he bought Rev. Rondestvedt's house in Dawson
and began a 40-year association with Our Savior's of Baxter and also served some years for
Trinity in Dawson.
In 1920, a basement was dug and finished under the church. In 1938, electricity was
installed throughout the church
In, 1942, Pastor Froiland resigned but served until 1944, when a different two-parish ministry
was formed between Our Savior's at Baxter and Saron Lutheran Church east of Montevideo.
Together, these congregations called Dr. K.S. Michaelson who served the two churches until
1948.
During these years, the official church language was changed from Norwegian to
English and women were allowed to vote.
The Michaelson family moved into a parsonage purchased by Our Saviour's and Saron and
which was located in Montevideo.
The Diamond Jubilee for Our Savior's Lutheran Church was celebrated on October 31, 1945.
In 1948, Rev. A.H. Holm was called and served until 1953. A major remodeling of the kitchen
was accomplished during the next few years. A water system and sewer were also installed.
In 1953, Rev. H.B. Mathison responded to a call to serve O.S.L.at Baxter and Saron at
Montevideo, and he served them until his death. In 1959, during his ministry, there were many
new members added and there were numerous confirmations. A two-year confirmation
program was begun and Mrs. Mathison began making the Sunday church bulletins.
In 1960, Rev. Robert Esse was called and served until 1966. Upon his arrival, services were
held every Sunday. Until then, the churches had alternated in having Sunday services. In 1961,
the constitution recommended by the American Lutheran Church, was adopted with some
changes.
In 1965, the congregation voted to subscribe to the "Lutheran Standard" for every
family.
Rev. Kenneth Eliason was called by the congregations in 1966 and gave an affirmative

response. In 1969 and 1970 an addition was built to the church providing a narthex, inside
stairway, restrooms, chapel and meeting rooms.
In 1970, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church observed its 100th anniversary with a three-day
observance. A church history of the first 100 years was published.
In 1974, women were elected to the council of the church for the first time. Stained
glass windows were installed in 1975 with liturgical symbols and patterned to fit.
During the year, Our Saviour's joined other churches in the area to sponsor a Vietnamese
family to live in Dawson.
The Rev. John Sandager was called by the church in 1976. In the next few years, the
church building was insulated and a directory was made of families within the congregation.
The practice of using lay readers and communion assistants was begun.
In 1978, Rev. Duane Lokken was called. The 110th anniversary of Our Savior's was
observed in 1980.
In 1981, a plumbing failure caused damage in the lower level of the church. It involved a great
deal of repair and replacement so it was decided to redecorate the remainder of the church at
the same time. This was completed in time for the church building centennial which was
commemorated on October 25, 1981. This recognized the fact that Our Saviour's Lutheran is
the oldest church building in use in Lac qui Parle County.
Our Saviour's has a strong women's organization. Once named "Ladies Aid", it is now
called the Lutheran Church Women. All the ladies of the church are considered
members. In addition to their work for Lutheran World Relief and local agencies, they
have since 1954 supported missionary work in Mexico through the Latin- American
Mission. Bible studies are a part of their program.
The education program of the church has been functioning since soon after the
organization of the church. It predates the county school system. Sunday-school is now held
regularly. The Luther League was organized in 1904 and continues to the present time. Various
choirs, such as men's, women's and children's choirs, have functioned periodically.
Over the years, the membership has varied from 300 to 500 but remained quite constant for
many years at around 300. Over two-thirds of the members are descendants of the pioneers
who built the church.
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church is a landmark in the area, located on Highway 212, six miles
east of Dawson. Its lighted tower pinnacle and its new look and front glass doors invite many
of those who travel past to think again of what God has done in giving so generously to His
people, among which the highest goodness is the gift ofthe gospel message of the Lord Jesus
Christ, Savior, Lord and King.
Parish Alignments through the years:
1870- No regular pastor or parish alignment
1872- Shared pastor with Immanuel at 5 Chippewa Crossing
1878- West portion of congregation separated and formed Hegre Congregation
1879- Aligned with Hegre (Which became Borgund in 1882) and Minnesota Valley

1902- Aligned with Trinity of Dawson

1944- Aligned with Saron
Church Body Affiliations
1870- Norwegian Synod (Missouri Synod)
1887- Left Norwegian Synod and affiliated self with Norwegian Lutheran Church of
America
1890- Affiliated with United Church which was a merger of 4 Norwegian Lutheran
denominations (adopted constitution in 1907)
1917- Affiliated with Norwegian Lutheran Church of America which was a merger of
Hauge Synod, Norwegian Lutheran Church in America and United Church
1948- Affiliated with The Evangelical Lutheran Church
1966- Affiliated with The American Lutheran Church
1988- Affiliated with The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America which is a new
church formed by the former American Lutheran Church, The Lutheran Church in
America and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches.
On January 4, 1873 a motion was seconded and carried to accept the grant of land of 2 acres
the NE V4 Sec. 2 Twp 17 Range 42 for the use of a cemetery. The land belonging to Johans
Larson Saboe.
When the purchase of the land for the church building was made it was decided to move the
cemetery also. Many remains and stones were moved but some were not. In 1975 at a meeting
it was decided to deed by quit claim the old 2 acre cemetery site to Vernon Johnson, the present
owner, and to erect a marker in memory of those buried there. In the church building at this
time is a plaque commemorating those pioneers. The plaque reads:
In 1964 school District # 5 closed and the church purchased the land to retain the well and to
have the land for parking purposes.
In 1966 the old parsonage was sold and a new one purchased.
In 1992 a Veterans Memorial was erected on the cemetery grounds in place of the field of
white crosses. This was a joint memorial from Dawson VFW Post # 5247, the Baxter cemetery
Assoc., and the Baxter congregation. A new flag pole and flag was a gift from Montevideo
VFW post # 308 in the spring of 1993.
125th Anniversary of the church was celebrated July 29th & 30th, 1995.
Around 100 quilts are made by the Ladies Aid every year and donated to worthy causes.
The first officers of the congregation were. Tidemann I. Lund Secretary and Johannes L. Lund,
Tollef Satersmoen and Hans Torjuson ---Trustees John Flaa- Sec. of the congregation reported
in 1910 that in the first 40 years there were 867 baptisms, 531 confirmations, and 117
marriages.
The first couple married was Erick Heieren & Bertha Cornel son on October 27,1872.
The first funeral of the church was for 14 year old Anthon Larson November 2, 1872.
Sons of the Congregation who went on to become Pastors are:
Dr. A.O. Fonkalsrud, Ole Belsaas, Andrew B. Cornelson, Andrew Nordaune, Dr. James

Hamre, Richard Mork.

Sons of Pastors of the Congregation in the Ministry are:
Ernest Hoff, Richard Mathison, and Daniel Holm.
Duane Lokken served 1980- 1988
Wayne Mensing 1988- 1995
Steve Rheingans 1996- 2002
Charles Bunk 2003- 2006
Theresa Kraft 2008- 2009
William Rosin 2010In 1986 at a congregational meeting it was decided to form a cemetery association and the
articles of incorporation were notarized in April of 1987.
In 1990 the church became a member of the Gustavus Adolphus College Corporation at St.
Peter.
In 2008 the baptized members of our church numbered 282 and the confirmed members 248.