The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1916-06-29
30TH anniversary OF
OAK VALLEY Church
Special Train From MinOt Takes Large
Crowd TO Important Meeting
at Velva Sunday

The choir of the First Lutheran
church with Rev. T. F. Gullixson di-
recting, took an important part in the
services held at Velva Sunday in OBJ
servance Of the 30th Anniversary of
eran church at Velva.
Move than a hundred pessons went
down from Minot on the 500 special,
which was run for them through the
courtesy of the 500, leaving Minot at
9:30 a. m. and returning home at l /: 80
p. m. The choir members were met in
Velva with automobiles and taken out
to the park where the festivities were
held. The morning session opened at
11:00 O'Clock with a number by the
choir, followed by an opening address
by Rev. p O. Breland of Velva, intro
ducing the most prominent speaker of
the day, Rev T. S. Reishus.
At 1900 o'clock delicious luncheon
was served at long tables out in the
open, by members Of the Velva con-
gregation. The afternoon session con-
sisted chiefly of addresses by the fol-
lowing ministers:
Rev. T. S. Reishus, Rev. P. @. Bre-
land Of Velva, Rev B. Hofrenning of
Max, Rev. O. L. Brenig of Plaza, Rev
Havneros Of Maddox and Rev. T. F
Gullixson of Minot. The guest Of hon
or Of the day was Rev. Reishus, the
first resident minister Of the Oak Val
ley Lutheran church of Velva. Rev
Reishus, who is man of much distinc-
ton, is brother of Mr.. Gunder Rel
shus of this city and expects to spend
;ri% ~ frio H.
and at the home of his brother.
In the evening choral concert was
given by the First Lutheran choir, as
sisted by members of the Velva choir,
being directed by Rev. Gullixson. The
soloists of the evening were Miss Olio
Stamsrud, soprano, who sang "Fear
Ye Not, o Israel" by Dudley Buck
Miss Sirgrid Reishus, contralto, who
sang 20 Divine Redeemer" by Gounod
and Mr.. H. J. Hjort, tenor, sang "My
Native WORTH" taken from the Crea-
ton by Haydn. Miss Martha Sebby
who is widely known in the musical
circles Of this city, was the capable ac-
companist.
A very large crowd turned out in the
evening to the concert
The Oak Valley congregation was
founded in 1885 and had s5 confirmed
members. The first officers were: Hans
Fjone, Louis Larson and Carl L. Op-
sahl, trustees; A. j. Olsie, secretary,
and Ole N. Westegaard, treasurer.
Among the charter members were A.
j. Oslie, liver Gjellstad. Arndt VALLEY
and Ole N. Westegaard, who are still
members Of the congregation.
The following pastors have served:
Rev. S. T. Reishus, 1996-1994; Rev. f.
I. Strom, 1S95-1S97; Rev. T. H. Tonne
son, 1897 1907; Rev. O. J. Arke, 1907
1918; Rev. P. o. Bruland, 1914.
Services were conducted in the Vel
va school house and at times in the
railway station until 1900 when the
church was erected. The church was
remodeled in 1909 at an expense of
SO 400, and furniture replaced to the
amount of $4,000. In 1906 the congre-
cation erected parsonage costing
$4,000.
The Ladies' Aid society organized
in 1898 and has contributed STATS to
the church In 1902 young peoples
society was founded which has contrib
uted $545.41. The church debt amount
ing to $4,000 was liquidated in connec-
ton with Sundays festival.