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TROUT LAKE APOSTOLIC LUTHERAN CHURCH
[transcribed by Janet Gillman from a church flier;
author unknown]
The need of an established church in the
Trout Lake area became apparent in the year preceding 1911. A small group of Christians began a movement
towards organizing a firm foundation to fulfill their spiritual desires. The first meeting toward this goal was held
January 1, 1911 at the Charles Point home.
Those attending were Herman Gran, Matt Saari, Matt Hamar, Gust Nylund,
Isac Mattson, Helmer Point, Charles Point and Oscar Haggman. It was decided unanimously to establish a
congregation. The first officers were
as follows: Herman Gran, chairman;
Oscar Haggman, secretary; Charles Point, treasurer; Andrew Waisanen, custodian.
A
second meeting was held on January 8, 1911 at the Herman Gran home. It was decided to build a church for the
congregation with each member donating toward the building supplies according
to their means. The church was to be 30
feet wide by 40 feet long, with side walls 12 feet high, and a gable roof. It was decided to begin building the church
as soon as sufficient funds were procured.
In
March of 1911 it was decided to obtain a cemetery for the
congregation. The cemetery was to be
cleared and fenced-in and divided into 16x16 foot lots to be sold for
$5.00. An acre of land was purchased
from Matti Saari for $40.00.
A
half-acre of land was purchased from Ben Benson for the church building. It was decided to join with the Evangelical
Lutherans and build a church to be used by both congregations. March 1912 finds the two congregations forming
a joint building committee. Members of
both congregations donated money and supplies for the church building. Albin Autio offered 20 posts, 10 rafters,
700 feet of building supplies; Albert Kuluvaara, 20 posts; John Gabrielson, 15
rafters; Matti Saari, 10 rafters; Charles Point, 10 rafters; Matt Hamar, floor
joists; Peter Ollila, 500 feet of lumber; Frank Gran, brick. The size of
the church was changed to 26 by 40 feet. The congregations worked hard that summer and soon saw the
results of their labor.
The
outside of the church was painted white with green trim in 1913. A chimney was added to the church. A communion service was purchased in 1923. Confirmation was held in June for one week
by August Saarela from Embarrass, Minnesota.
The first confirmation classes were in the Finnish language. A board for hymn numbers was made by Ed
Aho. A gas lantern was purchased in
1928. The church was extensively
remodeled inside and a basement was constructed in 1941. Permanent pews were added to the church in
1952. Monies were collected by Laura
Point and Lila Talonen of the Bethel Congregation.
On
January 20, 1929, the congregation received their certificate of membership
in the American Apostolic Lutheran Church.
For many years, the congregations had church services every other Sunday
afternoon. Sunday School was held by
both congregations on Sunday mornings.
In 1964 the congregation started having services every Sunday. The Trout Lake Apostolic Church bought out
the Bethel Congregation (Bovey) share of the church.
PASTORS that served this congregation
were August Saarela, Oscar Sandell, Pastor Saastamoinen, O.H. Juusila, S.A.
Hurula, Israel Peteri, John Oberg, Emanuel Aho, Emil Kulla, Arnold Anderson,
William Stenroos, Fred Kivi, Ralph Davidson, Wilfred Davidson, Wilfred Sikkula,
Roy Davidson, Harry Clemetti and Eli Kujala.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP FROM 1911 – 1941 INCLUDED:
AHO, Ed and Mary; AHO, Ed; ANTILLA, Anna; ASPS, Alexander and Riika; GABRIELSON, John and Anna; GRAN, Herman and Ida; GRAN, Frank and Mollie; HAGGMAN, Oscar L. and Mrs.; HAMAR, Matti and Kaisa; HANNULA, Samuel and Sarafina; HEIKKILA, Oscar J. and Mrs.; HENDRICKSON, John; JOHNSON, Oscar and Lydia; KORKIA, David; KUJALA, Herman and Tilda; LAAKSI, Gust; LEVO, Mrs. Jalmer; MACKIE, Axel and Mamie; MANDY, John; MANGINEN, Adolph and Maria; MATTSON, Isac and Hilda; MUOTKA, Isak and Kaisa; NEVELA, Matti; NYLUND, Gust and Lilly; OLLILA, Peter and Saara; PENNALA, John; PETERSON, John; PETERSON, Isac and Hilma; POINT, Charles and Alma; SAARI, Matt and Sophie; SALMONSON, John and Edith; SALO, John and Mrs.; STEINBERG, Cecelia; WAISANEN, Andrew and Sophia; WICKSTROM, Riika; YLINEN, Mrs. H.
AT THE TROUT LAKE APOSTOLIC LUTHERAN CHURCH
June 16 – June 22, 1930
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Martha
HEIKKILA KANTOLA Wilho
KUJALA
Esther
JOHNSON SUIHKONEN Harry
MATTSON
Anna
KARJALA JACOBSON Toivo
MUOTKA
Siiri LAURONEN Fred
WIRTA
Impi OLLILA RANTA
Ingrid WICKSTROM