The earliest records state
that on August 21, 1887, there was a meeting held at Trondhjem House, which was
located on Fourth and Ogden. With the help of Reverend Wangness from
Minneapolis, the foundation of Concordia Lutheran Church was laid with the
establishment of "Vor Frelsers Skandinavisk Lutherske Menighed i West
Superior." Lars Shaker, O.C. Nubson and Iver Anderson were elected
the first Board of Trustees. In the summer of 1889, construction began on
the former church building. The pioneers' dream became a reality on July
5, 1891, when the building was complete and the first church was
dedicated. This fine church served the congregation until 1929 when it was
razed to prepare for the present church's construction. On Sunday,
November 17, 1929, the cornerstone was laid on the building that serves the
congregation to this day.
The name of the congregation was officially changed from "Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church" to "Concordia Norwegian Lutheran Church" in January of 1930.
Some highlights from Concordia's history:
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A Sunday School was started in September of 1887. |
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The first baptism was on February 14, 1888. |
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The first marriage was on August 21, 1890. |
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The first funeral was for an infant, Jenny Pedersen. |
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The first confirmation class was confirmed in 1891. |
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The church's constitution was translated into English in February of 1927. |
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Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha of Norway graced Concordia with their attendance at a worship service on Sunday, June 18, 1939. |
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Concordia was the site of the marriage of Major Richard I. Bong and Marjorie Vattendahl; Major Bong's funeral was held at Concordia on August 8, 1945. |
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The Concordia Brotherhood organized on February 27, 1907. |
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The Concordia Lutheran Church Women (CLCW) held its first meeting on January 12, 1961, and was formed by a merger of numerous women's circles. |
