The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-12
AUGUSTANA IS
TO CELEBRATE
SWEDISH CHURCH WILL HAVE
ANNIVERSARY SERVICE.
Rev. p. Carlson, Who Founded the
Church In 1865, Is Still Living, Aged
85 Years, and May Attend the Cele-
bration - Organization Large and
Vigoroug.

Augustana Swedish Lutheran church,
che oldest Scandinavian church In Min
neapolis, will celebrate it's fortieth an
ntversary next April with several days
Of festivities. In view Of this, and the
additional fact that the congregation
a brief history Of the church is Of in
terest.
The Scandinavian Evangelical Lu-
theran Augustana church, as it was
originally called, was organized April
is, 1866. It was started with fourteen
members. Rev. P. Carlson, a pioneer
missionary, then stationed in Carver
county, who began to preach in M1nne e.
apois in 1853, was the organizer. OF
IS years of age, making his home at
the Deaconess' institute at Omaha,
Neb. It is hoped to have him attend
the fortieth anniversary next April:
In the early days both Norwegians
and Swedes united in worship in the
one church, tho the service was always
conducted in Swedish. In 1868 the
cation, which had then become large,
and organized a Norwegian church for
themselves. It was also in this year
that the original church erected its first
building. It was located at Thirteenth
avenue and Washington avenue, a
frame structure which seated 500 peo-
pie. It was great church building for
those days. Later, the church was sold
to the st. John g English Lutheran con-
gregation, which used it for some time.
It is still in use for religious purposes,
now being located on Fifth street, op-
posite the courthouse, and is occupied
as mission for the Hennepin Avenue
Methodist church.
So large was this church for it's pic.
d., +
the church conference first visited It,
he took the congregation to task for
erecting an ediice which he considered
entirely too large.
Present Church Built in 1883.
The church at Seventh street an6
Eleventh avenue s, now used by the
Augustana congregation, was erected II
1888 with a seating capacity Of 1000,
The first regular pastor Of the origi
nal church was Rev. j. E. SJoquist, who
served for one year. He was succeeded
1875 went to Chicago, where he still
successfully holds the passionate. Rev
J. Ausland came next and served thu
congregation faithfully till 1878, whe1
he died. Rev. J. Ternestedt then tool
the guidance of the parish. He con
tined at its head till May %, 1888
when Rev. O. J. Petri became pastor
and has ever since held the position:
Under direction of Rev. Carl J. Petrj
Augustana church has greatly grow!
and prospered. The congregation nov
numbers 1850. There is but one large
Protestant congregation in the city
that Of Westminster, which is but littl
greater in numbers.
Larger Home Discussed.
The Augustana congregation is COZ
templating charging its present edific
with wing built on the Seventh stree
side. Or perhaps new church alt
, gether may be erected. The matter
now simply being discussed and notl
! ing definite has as yet developed in tt
! way of building plans. -
When Rev. Mr.. Petri took charge {
: the parish there hung over it NOR
! gage of $4,000. Five years ago tt
] last cent of this was paid. The churc
. property, worth $42, 900, is now clear
a new pipe organ at cost Of $500
! The church has a Swedish Sunda
school which meets at 1915 every Su:
day with 700 students. An Englis
Sunday school meets at 9 am, with g
scholars. The Young, Peoples societ
ladies' societies, the Willing Worker
with seventy-fve members; the Ladi
Aid, with 140. - .
:; There is also the deaconess wor
. which is in charge Of Sister Hulda HUI
I quist. A city mission home for girls
! leading part of this work. III
church owns comfortable cottage
=. Eleventh avenue and Eighth street s.
The Augustana church has been Il
: parent of number of missions whit
have since become separate, self-su
:. porting parishes. One of these is Ebe
ezer church in South Minneapolis, G
Church at Thirty.third street and Phi
bury avenue. Another now .indepen
emit church, was established in Mort
east Minneapolis. A mission W
, ! started last year in Southeast MINI
apolis. The Bohemian Luther
I church on the flats is an edifce origin;