Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-12-10
Anniversary Of Askov
Church is Celebrated
CONTINUED from Page ~

| ..
been in Denmark since leaving Askov
and, the Rev.. Dyreborg is pastor at
Perth Amboy, N. ].
The spacious church which was
built in 1914 was we'll filled at the
Sunday morning services when the
Rev. Strandskov delivered the sermon.
He expressed his thankfulness for
having been asked to take part in
this anniversary celebration. The
topic was very plain and one that
could reach all. He dwelt on being
good to our fellow men, and expressed
the hope that we may all live and
work in such a way that we need
never be ashamed of our economic
life. The Rev. Rodholm was in charge
of the communion services and was
assisted by the Rev. Frost.
Dinner was served in the church
basement and in the afternoon the
Rev. Rodholm spoke on the beautiful
hymn Church Bells" (Kirkeklokke)
by N. F. S. Grundtvig. Messages Of
congratulations to the congregation
from the Rev. o. H. Dyreborg and
family, Perth Amboy, N. j., and Ed
itor M. Hoist, Cedar Falls, Iowa, were
read by the Rev. Frost. He also spoke
of the organization of the local con-
gregation, stating that Mr.. and Mrs.
Martin Sorensen and Jens Krag were
the only three out of the original %,
now residing here, a number of them
having passed away. The names of
the pastors who had served the
Askov congregation were mentioned
and a kindly reference was made to
Jess Smidt from the West Denmark
congregation, near Luck, Wis, who
had made the beautiful wood work
for the altar, the pulpit, the painting
at the head of the altar, and also
plans and specifications for the church
building here. Mr.. Smidt was pres
ent at the festival.
Good Singing Enjoyed.
The Rev. Strandskov spoke at the
Sunday evening services and the
large choir entertained with the two
beautiful songs, under the direction
of the Rev. Frost who also sang the
solo parts. Built on A Rock" was
the first number, the words of which
were written by N. F. S. Grundtvig
and the music by F. Melius Christian
sen, director of the st. Olaf choir at
Mortified, worked up from the mel
ody by L. M. Lindeman. The other
song was, 20 Bread of Life" words by
P. Gerhardt, and also arranged for
choir by Melius Christensen. An eX-
ira treat on the Sunday evening pro-
gram was two baritone solos by Ed
win Hansen with organ accompani-
ment by Mrs. A. Henriksen. mot I'm
derstood," and Teach Me to Pray"
were the songs that were much ap-
preciated. Mr.. Hansen who resides
in Minneapolis, is a student at the
Luther seminary in St. Paul. He was
accompanied here by Mrs. Hansen and
their child. Mrs. Hansen is a sister
of the local pastor. The congregation
as usual sang several hymns and as
the last scheduled one was being sung
the lights went out, so they continued
to sing three or four more familiar
hymns until the lights came on
again, a fuse having been burned out.
The congregation was standing while
these songs were sung, the candle
lights at the altar were lit and it adj
ded color and feeling to the occasion.
Refreshments were enjoyed in the
basement after the services.
The Rev. Rodholm gave a bible
hour Monday morning, as did also the
Rev. Strandskov in the afternoon. At
the final services Monday evening the
Rev. Rodholm dwelt on how we are
carried into the life of the kingdom,
and many familiar hymns were sung
by the congregation. Folks gathered
again in the basement of the church
| for coffee, at which time Martin
| Sorensen, who was the first chairman
of the church board, gave short talk
on how the local church was organ
| lied back in 1906 with it's % mem
bers, now numbering ITS and serving
about 1900 people. Charlie Laursen
was the first secretary and Jens Lund
the first treasurer, both having passed
to the Great Beyond. The church
board today is made up of N. B. Mil
Ter as chairman; H. Clausen, vice
chairman; Sigurd Stovring, secretary;
A. Gravesen, treasurer; and D. ].
Adolphsen, board member. P. P. Kills
tofte, member of the supreme board
of the synod, expressed his apprecia-
tion of the two memorable days, and
added that while his daily work takes
him away from his home much of the
time, he is always glad to get back
to Askov to attend church services as
are also the other members of his
family. The Rev. Rodholm conveyed
greetings to the local congregation