Northland Lutheran Church
A Place To Grow With Purpose
1907-2010
A Place To Grow With Purpose
1907-2010
www.lutefisk4lutherans.com
Northland Church Welcomes You member LCMC
Northland Lutheran Church N9880 St Hwy 49, Iola, WI 54945
Office: 715-445-2956 email: northlandchurch@hotmail.com
Office: 715-445-2956 email: northlandchurch@hotmail.com
NORTHLAND NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH
The first effort to build a church in Northland was in 1890.
Anders Solom raised $700 through donations.
However, due to opposition from other area churches and pastors, the foundation was not laid
until 1907 and building commenced after that. On February 16, 1908, the first service was
celebrated in the partially finished church. The seats were on wooden planks on wooden blocks on a floor that was only partly finished.
During this first service the baptism of Ruben Brubakken took place in John Barkimo's tool chest because there was no baptismal font.
The pews were put in and the steeple was built by John Johnson and John Barkimo. John Barkimo, a master wood-craftsman, would also build the altar, railing, baptismal font and pulpit.
The first effort to build a church in Northland was in 1890.
Anders Solom raised $700 through donations.
However, due to opposition from other area churches and pastors, the foundation was not laid
until 1907 and building commenced after that. On February 16, 1908, the first service was
celebrated in the partially finished church. The seats were on wooden planks on wooden blocks on a floor that was only partly finished.
During this first service the baptism of Ruben Brubakken took place in John Barkimo's tool chest because there was no baptismal font.
The pews were put in and the steeple was built by John Johnson and John Barkimo. John Barkimo, a master wood-craftsman, would also build the altar, railing, baptismal font and pulpit.
Special Thank You to the Iola Historical Society and Lyle Mork for permission to use photos and information from their files.
John Barkimo, master wood carver, built Northland's altar, railing, pulpit and baptismal font.
We will be updating photo albums and scrap books in the near future. Any photos or articles or relevant info to our church would be appreciated. Contact Kathy Quimby or MaryAnn Rice for more info.
This is a portion of a letter (translated from Norwegian to English by Martha Nymoen) written by John Barkimo to his brother in Norway in September of 1909:
“A merchant here in Northland and I got together and sent out the announcement of the (special) meeting, and also conducted that meeting. I sent Pastor (Farseth) an invitation to come. I thought in my own innocence it was favorable, but I was wrong, as the first time I later saw him I got a 2-hour lecture. I explained my true meaning about the church forming a congregation. At the same time he was making his calls on members to try to hinder us from building a church, and also managed to divide the members feelings about building. After that we were only 32 families left, and we had to call another meeting at which it was decided to build here in Northland – a mile further north than what was first decided on.”
In efforts of trying to convince Pastor Farseth to agree to serve the new congregation Barkimo said Farseth had made the statement that “people in and around Northland had so little Christian and religious interest that neither church nor Pastor was needed!” He also tried to convince people to approve the building of a meeting place two miles to the north of Northland. and stated that they “would soon see that Northland Church would be of no need.”
John Barkimo’s letter states that Pastor Farseth finally did agree to preach on the third Sunday of each month. In the weeks that followed, Northland and Hitterdahl came to an agreement that they would hire a joint Pastor, as Hitterdahl had lost their pastor. Plans were to build a parsonage during the coming summer at an approximate cost of $3,000.
Thank you to Bob Strand for the use of materials from his History of Northland Church. We Love You Bob!!
“A merchant here in Northland and I got together and sent out the announcement of the (special) meeting, and also conducted that meeting. I sent Pastor (Farseth) an invitation to come. I thought in my own innocence it was favorable, but I was wrong, as the first time I later saw him I got a 2-hour lecture. I explained my true meaning about the church forming a congregation. At the same time he was making his calls on members to try to hinder us from building a church, and also managed to divide the members feelings about building. After that we were only 32 families left, and we had to call another meeting at which it was decided to build here in Northland – a mile further north than what was first decided on.”
In efforts of trying to convince Pastor Farseth to agree to serve the new congregation Barkimo said Farseth had made the statement that “people in and around Northland had so little Christian and religious interest that neither church nor Pastor was needed!” He also tried to convince people to approve the building of a meeting place two miles to the north of Northland. and stated that they “would soon see that Northland Church would be of no need.”
John Barkimo’s letter states that Pastor Farseth finally did agree to preach on the third Sunday of each month. In the weeks that followed, Northland and Hitterdahl came to an agreement that they would hire a joint Pastor, as Hitterdahl had lost their pastor. Plans were to build a parsonage during the coming summer at an approximate cost of $3,000.
Thank you to Bob Strand for the use of materials from his History of Northland Church. We Love You Bob!!
GROW THE COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we inspire Christian growth for all whom we touch in our lives. See Acts 9:31; Acts 16:5; and 2Peter 3:18.
With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we inspire Christian growth for all whom we touch in our lives. See Acts 9:31; Acts 16:5; and 2Peter 3:18.
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LEGEND OF THE NORTHLAND CHURCH by Vivian Jacobson
Eighteen years later new pews were put in
No problem now -- everybody’s in
To add to the loftiness of this new creation
A steeple was built, so high in elevation
A man of worthy mention in these toilsome days
Was old John Barkimo, a woodcarver by trade
He helped build the church, carved the altar by hand
Which has merited him much praise in this Northland
In October of 1908 plus 25 days
The church was completed and cornerstone laid
Pastors were here from far and near
To witness our temple we hold so dear.
No problem now -- everybody’s in
To add to the loftiness of this new creation
A steeple was built, so high in elevation
A man of worthy mention in these toilsome days
Was old John Barkimo, a woodcarver by trade
He helped build the church, carved the altar by hand
Which has merited him much praise in this Northland
In October of 1908 plus 25 days
The church was completed and cornerstone laid
Pastors were here from far and near
To witness our temple we hold so dear.
On September 19th of 1909
The first church service was held on time
Rev. J. M. Berge, so strong and tall
Sensed our need and answered our call.
Six of our pastors have now been called
To be with their Father – who rules over all
Blest be their memory, their faith and their love
Be inscribed in our hearts, with strength from above
The five that are living that have served our flock
Are still in God’s service under Gibralter’s Rock
With grateful hearts and wishes true
All we can say is “Thank you, Thank you”!
The first church service was held on time
Rev. J. M. Berge, so strong and tall
Sensed our need and answered our call.
Six of our pastors have now been called
To be with their Father – who rules over all
Blest be their memory, their faith and their love
Be inscribed in our hearts, with strength from above
The five that are living that have served our flock
Are still in God’s service under Gibralter’s Rock
With grateful hearts and wishes true
All we can say is “Thank you, Thank you”!
A clearing of land and felling of trees
Hauling of stones – from “A” to “Z”
Donation of labor was given by all
To fulfill their wish of a kingdom hall.
The foundation commenced – basement began
By Theodore Torstenson, carpenter renown
Laborers and plasterers and masons of few
Soon made the building an architect’s cue
Seats made of planks and wooden blocks
Furnished seating for families and their little flocks
When babes to baptism were fondly brought
John Barkimo’s tool chest was used as the font
Hauling of stones – from “A” to “Z”
Donation of labor was given by all
To fulfill their wish of a kingdom hall.
The foundation commenced – basement began
By Theodore Torstenson, carpenter renown
Laborers and plasterers and masons of few
Soon made the building an architect’s cue
Seats made of planks and wooden blocks
Furnished seating for families and their little flocks
When babes to baptism were fondly brought
John Barkimo’s tool chest was used as the font
.Mid pines and oaks on a knolly hill
Stands the Northland Church, serenely still
With its steeple so high, pointing upward to all
To beckon and call us – lest we should fall
In 1890, our forefathers gave heed
To start a new church – “which we sorely need.”
Andres Solom , a man of zeal and zest
Gathered $700.00 for the church’s egg nest
Many “Ayes” and many “Nayes” were bitterly exchanged
But hooray for the “Ayes” the matter changed
A committee of three was now elected
Ole Borge, Ole Buslett and Lorin Wrolstad
Stands the Northland Church, serenely still
With its steeple so high, pointing upward to all
To beckon and call us – lest we should fall
In 1890, our forefathers gave heed
To start a new church – “which we sorely need.”
Andres Solom , a man of zeal and zest
Gathered $700.00 for the church’s egg nest
Many “Ayes” and many “Nayes” were bitterly exchanged
But hooray for the “Ayes” the matter changed
A committee of three was now elected
Ole Borge, Ole Buslett and Lorin Wrolstad