The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-10-30

The Swedlsh Baptist ci1urch of Far
50 has been doing much among the
Swedish people OF the city and has.
during It's existence, worked strenu-
ously in bringing the people OF the
community 10 a better knowledge of
( and a closer conformation with the
| principles Of the christian religion. 1t
has ninety members at the present
| time.
AS ia implied BY it's name, this
church labors particularly among the
inhabitants of Fargo who are Of Swed-
ish extraction and is particularly for
those who have not very good un-
Outstanding OF the English language.
This church has gratifying number.
OF members when the fact Is taken
into consideration that the greater
per cent of the Scandinavian people
are born and reared in the Lutheran
faith. However. there are those who
for various reasons wish TO enter some
other denomination and of. these. many
60 to the Swedish Baptist church.
While the Swedish Baptist church
has been organized only a little over
eighteen years, IL has come in for it's
share OF successes and adversely that
were the experiences OF the other de-
nominations AS was the case with
the other churches Of Fargo the adj
versities, have been material rather
than spiritual and in the case with
this particular church centered prin-
lcipally around the great fire Of 1888
Organized In 1891.
During the summer OF 1891 the Rev.
o. Lind came TO Fargo in the interests
of the Swedish Baptist denomination
with the intention OF organizing a mis-
sion church. There were at that time
quite a few families in the city that
had been members of this church in
other parts OF the country ana there
was growing up generations Of Swed-
isE extraction that would be likely TO
embrace this branch Of the christian
religion.
While at that time there were only
a few people who would affiliate WITH
this church, these got together and
decided to organize society. This
was accomplished on September 2.
1891, and was the beginning of the
Swedish Baptist churcn of Fargo
From the time of organization until
the early spring of 1898 the society
had been holding services in various
buildings and at the homes OF It's
members. During the winter of 1892
and '93 efforts were made to raise
funds for the erection of a place OF
worship and the early spring saw such
a building completed.
The society had moved into IFS
pretty little frame church and had no
more than settled down to the enjoy
nent of IL when the memorable con-
fiagration of June IL of that year de-
stroyed it leaving only a heap of
ashes to mark the place where once
had stood the pride OF the little band
of christians It was by no small ,ef-
fort that this building had been erect
ed and when 1t was practically swept
out of existence 1t for "a time seemed
as though 1t were the end OF all their
fond hopes. But encouragement was
only temporary. AS soon as the first
shock was over and the members be-
gan to take an inventory hope again
sprang UP and within a short time
they were again working on a new
building at the corner of Fourth street
and Third avenue north, where tney
could worship God according. to- the
dictates OF their conscience This was
completed the same year that the first
building was erected. This was a
great financial strain upon the little
congregation. In fact 1t could not all
be paid for Immediately and a mort 4
gage was placed upon the property.
Year by year the debt grew less until
on March / of this year when the last
cent, including the interest was paid
and the mortgage was burned during
a great celebration whihc was held in
the church. Thus the element which
brought disaster upon the, society was
made to take away the last vistage of
their financial troubles.
From standpoint OF christianity
and moral uplife the Swedish Baptist
church has stood 1igh among the de-
nominations of the city and without
the shadow of a doubt been one of the
factors in the religious work OF the
community.
The Church's Pastors.
Since the church was first organized
there have been five pastors in charge
of the pulpit. All have been men who
have worked conscientiously for the
upbuilding of the church and the spir-
itual welfare of their Pensioners.
Rev. o. Lind, who organized the
church remained few years and re-
signed to be succeeded by Rev. l.. w.
Linder. Later Reverend johnson took
up the work and after a most ettlcient
period OF work was followed by Rev.