FELC History
On April 10, 1860, a handful of men, women and children were gathered together through the Spirit's leading and gave birth to First Evangelical Swedish Lutheran Church.
A first church building was constructed, as a gathering place for the community to worship God. Members quickly recognized God's leading to move and grow, and our current sanctuary was built, as a continuation of the work God has called this community of faith to do. Over the years additions have been built, new ministries started, and service to the community and world exercised in the name of Jesus. Through it all, God has been our dwelling place--in all generations.
It is astounding to think of the countless lives that have been transformed by God's mercy and grace through this community. Imagine it, all the stories, the joys, the sorrows, the celebrations--and through it all, the worship--that has happened in this place. People have moved in and out of this story. And the story God willing, is far from over.
1860 First Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church organized on April 10
1872 First resident pastor
1887 Parsonage built
1903 Present church erected, plans by A.L. Garlough of St. Paul
1910 Hilgreen & Lane organ installed
1937 Swedish services discontinued
1959 Church interior painted white for 100th anniversary
1964 Education wing built. Matson & Weigleitner, architects
1986 Aging parsonage destroyed
2008 Church interior decoratively painted for 150th anniversary
2010 150th anniversary
A first church building was constructed, as a gathering place for the community to worship God. Members quickly recognized God's leading to move and grow, and our current sanctuary was built, as a continuation of the work God has called this community of faith to do. Over the years additions have been built, new ministries started, and service to the community and world exercised in the name of Jesus. Through it all, God has been our dwelling place--in all generations.
It is astounding to think of the countless lives that have been transformed by God's mercy and grace through this community. Imagine it, all the stories, the joys, the sorrows, the celebrations--and through it all, the worship--that has happened in this place. People have moved in and out of this story. And the story God willing, is far from over.
1860 First Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church organized on April 10
1872 First resident pastor
1887 Parsonage built
1903 Present church erected, plans by A.L. Garlough of St. Paul
1910 Hilgreen & Lane organ installed
1937 Swedish services discontinued
1959 Church interior painted white for 100th anniversary
1964 Education wing built. Matson & Weigleitner, architects
1986 Aging parsonage destroyed
2008 Church interior decoratively painted for 150th anniversary
2010 150th anniversary
Historical Photo Gallery
Heritage Article, March 1999
E.P. Wicklund was one of the early Swedish settlers in our area, arriving in 1851. The map of his journey to Minnesota was of particular interest to me because his group of travelers came by way of Andover/Moline/Rock Island, Illinois (along the Mississippi River).
In 1860, a small group of forward-thinking Swedes (among them, Eric Norelius, who two years later would found Gustavus Adolphus College) met in Andover, Illinois, and formed a new church body that would focus on ministering to the growing number of Swedish immigrants in the United States. They named their denomination after the Lutheran foundational statement of faith, the Augsburg Confession, which in Latin is known as Augustana. Our church congregation here in Taylors Falls was originally part of the Augustana Synod. The Augustana Synod became part of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) in 1962 and later the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1987.
Click Here to See the Full Article
E.P. Wicklund was one of the early Swedish settlers in our area, arriving in 1851. The map of his journey to Minnesota was of particular interest to me because his group of travelers came by way of Andover/Moline/Rock Island, Illinois (along the Mississippi River).
In 1860, a small group of forward-thinking Swedes (among them, Eric Norelius, who two years later would found Gustavus Adolphus College) met in Andover, Illinois, and formed a new church body that would focus on ministering to the growing number of Swedish immigrants in the United States. They named their denomination after the Lutheran foundational statement of faith, the Augsburg Confession, which in Latin is known as Augustana. Our church congregation here in Taylors Falls was originally part of the Augustana Synod. The Augustana Synod became part of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) in 1962 and later the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1987.
Click Here to See the Full Article
Here is an early view (looking north) of the 1903 First Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church on Chestnut Street. Note that the bell is visible. |
Here is another view of the newly-finished 1903 church. |
