Grace Lutheran Church Through the Years
140th Anniversary Briefs
Sept. 6, 1883 Pastor Anders Nilsen ordained.
Sept. 19, 1883 Seven men met to organize a Lutheran Church in Watertown.
Oct 23, 1883 Ladies Aid was organized with 8 members. Miss Sarah Bodtker first president.
Dec. 22, 1883 First Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church organized in a room over the Merchants Bank of Watertown.
Hans Mathiesen elected chairman of congregation.
Jan. 8, 1884 Congregation held first annual meeting.
July, 1885 Congregation acquired title to present site for church property.
Aug. 1885 Sunday School was organized. Six pupils.
Sept. 26, 1886 Dedication of first church building, Professor Sven Oftedal officiated.
Building Was 30x40 with no basement-cost $2000.00.
Altar cloth and altar decorations purchased.
1887 Organ purchased for $50.00. “Pigeforening” (young girls) organized by Caroline Nilsen.
1889 Ladies Aid bought a communion set and mourning cloth for altar and pulpit.
1890 Ministerial Book and baptismal fount were bought. Congregation joined the “United Lutheran Church of America.”
1892 Pastor Nilsen resigned due to failing health-last official act was to perform marriage of daughter Caroline. He passed
away November 25.
1893 Ladies Aid bought new furnishings for church-a table, stand, hat rack, looking glass and carpet.
1902 First parsonage built.
1903 “Dorcas Society” took the place of “Pigeforening.”
1909 Idea of Luther Hospital was developed which later became Memorial Hospital later merging into St Anne’s Hospital and
then became Prairie Lakes Hospital.
Dec. 6, 1915 Discussion held on building new church.
Dec. 1, 1916 Due to poor crops, decision was made to wait one more year before building new church.
Mar, 7, 1916 Decided to give 1/3 of “ingathering money” to Augustana College.
June 3, 1919 Congregation voted to build new church.
April 15, 1920 Constitution and by-laws were read in Norwegian and English. Decision was made that English was to be used at all
meetings.
Aug. 1, 1920 Cornerstone laid for new church. Official act performed by Rev. George Wigdahl.
May 9, 1921 Name of church changed to Grace Lutheran church.
July 10, 1921 Present brick building was dedicated. Dedication sermon given by Dr. H.G. Stub.
June 24, 1922 Women given voting rights.
Feb. 21,1923 Grace Mission Society joined the Women’s Missionary Federation.
Jan., 1924 Envelope system for offerings approved.
1924 Pastor Okdale started devotional services on radio.
Oct.11, 1927 Lutheran Daughters of the Reformation joined.
Nov. 5, 1931 Junior Luther League organized.
Dec. 2, 1932 Boy scout Troop No. 65 organized. Scoutmaster Leland H. Rhodes.
Oct. 22, 1933 Fiftieth Anniversary observed. Dr. O.J. Aasgaard guest speaker.
Dec. 1, 1935 First radio broadcast of church services on KWTN, now radio station KWAT. Fee was paid by Rev. Okdale.
Dec. 31, 1936 Grace Lutheran Aid began following union of Grace Ladies Aid and Grace Circle.
March, 1937 Bylaws and Constitution of` Grace Lutheran Aid adopted.
March 2, 1937 Congregation took over sponsorship of radio broadcasts.
Dec. 3, 1940 Adoption of Ministers Pension Plan approved.
Jan. 11, 1943 Burning of church mortgage of the church we now use.
Nine stained glass windows contributed by members and church organizations.
Sept., 1943 Sixtieth Anniversary celebrated.
Oct. 12, 1943 Luther Hospital Association report notes $3000 mortgage had been paid off, discusses staff intact but for one called to
military service, and the directors had authorized the sending of ten students to Augustana college in Sioux Falls as part
of the School of Nursing training.
Jan., 1944 Action taken to set up fund to beautify church.
May 6, 1945 Grace conducted 500th radio broadcast.
Congregation approved sponsorship and support for full time missionary.
1946 Approval given for purchase of pipe organ.
Sept.,1948 65TH Anniversary observed. Dedication of chancel and pipe organ.
1948 Remodeling of church. Statue placed in altar.
1949 Forty One Luther Leaguers off to Saskatoon, Canada for International Convention. Last minute Greyhound bus driver
strike cause need to find buses from Yankton to provide rides.
1951 Hymn request program started.
Dec. 9, 1951 Congregation voted to buy a parsonage.
June 12, 1953 Study began on parish education addition.
Jan 11, 1954 Gift subscription to Lutheran Herald for all members approved.
June 19, 1955 First drive-in service held at Melody Drive-In Theater.
Farl property acquired- to be used for Sunday School.
Dec., 4, 1955 Choir presented “The Messiah” for 21st consecutive year, filmed and presented over KDLO-TV on December 11.
Dec., 18, 1955 First program of “Let the People Speak” given on local TV Station.
Jan., 10, 1956 Congregation voted to buy Farl and Lokken properties and the Merty property to provide space for the new Fellowship
Hall/education addition.
Jan. 18, 1956 “Through the Porthole,” a children’s program featuring Captain Dick (Pastor Richard Borrud) first presented over
KDLO. Program added to broadcast by KELO-TV in October, 1956.
July 12, 1956 Architect authorized to go ahead with plans and specification for new Parish Hall.
Sept., 23, 1956 “Every member Visit” plan started.
May 19, 1957 Ground breaking for Parish Hall.
April 20-27, 1958 Dedication week for the Parish Education Annex which cost approximately $350,000.
Dec., 7 1958 25th presentation of “The Messiah.”
Sept.,2 1959 Special congregational meeting discussed to start of a new congregation on the north side of Watertown.
Oct. 26, 1959 Congregation voted to extend credit up to $65,000 to the new congregation.
Nov 6, 1960 Godspeed Service was held for 212 members and 50 families transferred to daughter church, Lutheran Church of Our
Redeemer on north side of Watertown
1961 Drive-In services moved to East Park Drive-In Theater.
New Public Address system installed in sanctuary, six hearing aid units provided.
Jan., 10, 1962 Training for Bethel Bible Study teacher begun.
1963 Easter Services begun at Watertown Civic Arena.
Average attendance at services in 1963-1,170.
Dec., 22, 1963 80th Anniversary. Congregation had a membership of 3,154 baptized, 2,083 confirmed.
Theme for sermon – “Hold Not Back”
1480th radio broadcast.
1963 Start of congregational phase of the Bethel Study Program. 210 adults took part.
1964 Grace Lutheran Foundation established.
1964 Sharon Vik leaves to serve as a nurse in Ethiopia under World Brotherhood Exchange.
1965 Parsonage on 18th 4th St. SE sold. Purchased home at 315 7th Ave. NE.
Shore Acres purchased as future site of Drive-In services.
1971 Lenten Service theme-“What I Did with Jesus”-a series of impersonations of people who met or lived with Jesus.
1971 Congregation voted support for Rev. and Mrs. Kenneth Mesplay in New Guinea.
Plans to remodel sanctuary and enlarge church entry approved. Congregation did not approve loan for project.
1971 Saw beginning of new concept for Confirmation and First Communion. Introduction of Children’s Sermon.
Organization of a “Couples Club.”
1972 Remodeling work done in church basement for classrooms.
Purchase of Born house.
Sept. 15, 1973 90th Anniversary celebrated. Congregation included 3,0078 baptized members, 2,209 confirmed members.
Average attendance 958.
Dec. 7, 1973 The Final Payment of the Mortgage on the Educational Annex was paid.
Dec. 9, 1973 Celebrated 20000th consecutive broadcast of Grace Lutheran Hour on KWAT.
1974 Sale of parsonage approved by congregation.
Congregation approves remodeling of church narthex.
Dedication of Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer.
Jan. 1, 1975 United Mission Appeal for the A.L.C. Grace Lutheran’s pledge
To was for $26,400. The U.M.A. was completed on April 25h with $49,587
April 25, 1975 pledged on a basis of 3 years with 262 families pledging towards the appeal.
1975 Bids let for remodeling of church narthex.
Groundbreaking for remodeling of church narthex.
Sept. 28, 1975 Laying of cornerstone for new narthex.
Nov. 30, 1975 Dedication of new narthex and remodeled sanctuary, and Fellowship Hall. Project cost approximately $350,000.
Dec. 25, 1976 Annual Community Christmas Supper began with Kermit and Buff Johnson organizing.
1977 New Articles of Incorporation and a new Constitution approved by congregation.
Pony Express Program for stewardship project approved.
1978 Grace Lutheran sponsored two refugee families from Viet Nam.
Sept. 24, 1978 Celebration of 95th Anniversary.
1978 Women’s fall church bazaar started later renamed Nordefest.
1979 Board of Deacons recommend adoption of new Lutheran Book of Worship.
1980 Lexon Covering on stained glass windows.
Introduction of new (Green hymnal) Lutheran Book of Worship.
1981 Purchase of bus for church use.
New system for hard of hearing installed as memorial to Les Mathiesen
1982 Purchase of land in old school block for parking space.
1983 Adoption of Biblical Stewardship program.
Sept. 18, 1983 CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION-100 Years of Grace.
Radio Broadcast from Grace Lutheran Church, number 2500, will be part of the Centennial Festival on Sunday,
September 18.
1983 Education committee approves Marcia Jelsma to train as a Parish Education Associate at Augustana College as per
Synod guidelines.
1983 Individualized confirmation program adopted.
1983 Search Bible Study introduced.
1984-1989 Rev. Bob and Susie Waite serve as missionaries to Central African Republic.
1985 Stephen Ministry begun.
1987 Vote to merge ALC to become ELCA approved by congregation.
1989 Launching of “Keeping Faith” fund drive.
1990 Grace Lutheran Sponsored a Polish refugee family.
1990 Divine Drama and Crossways Bible Study introduced.
1992 Installation of elevator to the Sanctuary and basement.
1993 Grace Lutheran Preschool started with Sylvia Lehman and Kay Yackley.
1995 GLCW financed new carpeting and wallpaper in the church offices.
1998 Established a maintenance fund for emergency maintenance from Clara Mathiesen Estate.
1999 Installation of the internet to Grace Lutheran.
West parking lot paved from donation by Carl Nelson.
Wednesday School added as part of the Education Program.
Watertown Christian School began leasing classroom spaces for their school classrooms.
2000 New windows installed in the 1957 addition as a result of many donations from faithful members of the congregation.
2001 The creation of a new Chapel completed just off the northeast entrance.
2002 Watertown Banquet started using the Grace Fellowship Hall on Monday evenings.
2002 Blessing and Dedication of Upper Room-youth meeting room.
Contemporary Worship Services began under direction of Pastor Bill and Karen Hamill and Jerod Jordan.
Large screens, projector and cabinet for power point from Fremont Forsberg.
2003 A garage was constructed.
2005 The stained glass windows in the sanctuary were restored and thermal glass installed.
2006 Major upgrade of audio in sanctuary.
2006 Installation of chair lift in education wing and automatic door openers installed.
New sound system and video projector installed in Sanctuary.
2007 Carol Bergan hired as part time parish nurse.
Darlene Olson hired as part-time Volunteer Coordinator.
LATI campus ministry began.
Organ in sanctuary rebuilt.
2007 Sanctuary remodel. Carpet removed and old wood floors were refurbished. Chair lift installed by pulpit area.
Painting of cross on wall behind pulpit added after removal of red drapes. New blue pew cushions added.
Rededication of remodeled sanctuary.
2008 Beautification of the courtyard started as an Eagle Scout project and completed by Tony Bresson, head custodian.
Conference table designed and constructed by Tony Bresson for use in the Conference Room.
Stained glass windows in Narthex, Frosted windows in Chapel.
Sept. 20 & 21, 2008 125th Anniversary noted for Grace Lutheran.
2011 Grace web page established.
Entrance enclosures added to Education Wing and Sanctuary.
Kitchen remodeled. New Stove installed.
2017 Larger cross installed on bell tower of church.
Cranberry Hymn Books introduced.
2016 Projection screens and TV as well as cameras installed.
2018 Removed tiles from floor in Fellowship Hall and asbestos from the 1957 addition.
Fellowship Hall and hall floors rebuffed. Fellowship Hall floor stained and Hallways covered with epoxy.
2018 Replaced boiler and water (pipe) lines.
2020 New metal roof on Sanctuary.
2020 Church closed for Covid 19 Pandemic-Worship changed to recorded services for radio
with video upload to YouTube and Facebook.
Began uploading video of weekly worship to Grace website at glcwtn.org
2020 Spring-Parking lot services were held with staff and musicians using south Fellowship Hall windows and outside staging
with congregation sitting in their cars in the parking lot.
Confirmation held through ZOOM. Service of confirmation held in parking lot wearing mask and social distancing.
In fall services moved to sanctuary with 6 foot spacing, masking, without passing offering plate, and no singing by the
congregation.
Apr 4, 2021 Easter-Services offered in sanctuary with singing through masks, communion allowed to come forward again, with
communion packets still available in pews, offering plates remain in back of sanctuary.
July 18, 2021 Celebraton-100th Anniversary of laying of cornerstone of Grace building.
Dec. 19. 2021 First Las Posadas held to celebrate Spanish speaking Christmas Celebration.
2021 Floors in Fellowship Hall and hall tile removed and renovated.
BeFriender program start with members visiting members.
2022 Roof on 1957 addition replaced.
Many of the sidewalks around the church replaced.
Updated the phone system.
Committee descriptions were updated.
New lightweight tables purchased in fellowship hall (25 long/16 round).
Watertown Fruit was purchased to sell fresh fruit seasonally and dried fruits, nuts and candy as
Watertown Fruit by Grace.
2023 Church sign replaced with digital sign.
Updated church management software from PowerChurch to Aplos.
QR codes added to online Giving.
Grace sponsored a Ukrainian Refugee family and a single Ukraine Refugee.
Removing tiers of choir room to single level Multi-purpose room begun.
Sept 10, 2023 Confirmation students return to Acolyte during service.
Ushers returned to passing the plate then presenting to altar.
Sept. 17, 2023 Radio broadcast 4587th consecutive regular broadcast over KWAT on our 140th Anniversary celebration
which was live streamed.
140th Anniversary Celebration held on September 17th
Daughter church LCOOR returned with choir and bell choir to combine with Grace in celebration of 140th. Pastor(s)
Dan and Laura Overbo assisted. Bishop Constanze Hagmaier proclaimed the Gospel.
Thanks be to God for those who have Blessed the mission and ministry of Grace Lutheran Church Through the Years
Senior Pastors of the Grace Lutheran Congregation
Anders Nilsen, 1883-1892; Franz C. Norman, 1892-1899; A.C. Barron, 1899-1907; J.B. Reinertsen, 1907-1912; O.J. Edwards, 1913-1922; H.A. Okdale, 1922-1937; Oscar C. Hanson, 1937-1941; B.R. Biorn 1942-1949; Conrad M. Thompson, 1949-1951; Carroll Hinderlie, 1952-1954; Norman Hammer, 1954-1059; George P. Larson, 1959-1968; Walter Kirkegaard, 1968-1978; Diedrik A. Nelson, 1978-1989; Howard Mars, 1989-1994; Gary Westgaard, 1995-2004; Stephen Lauricella, 2005-2012; Janet Miller, 2014-2019; Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett, 2020 -.
Assistant and Associate Pastors
Edgars O. Kiploks, 1950-1951; Kenneth E. Christopherson, 1950-1951; Harris E. Kaasa, 1956-1967; Gustav Kopka, 1958-1959; Charles H. Akre, 1959-1963; Ogden L. Lovdokken, 1963-1965; Julius Roehl, 1965-1967; John R. Meyer, 1968-1970; Dean Larsen, 1970-1975; Dennis Reiman, 1976-1979, Stephen Lien, 1980-1984; Robert N. Dovenmuehler, 1985-1992; Gary Hanson, 1985-1986; Suzanne Benidt, 1987-1992; Robert Waite, 1990-1992; Tedd Rieke, 1992-1995; John Sandstrom, 1996-1999; Del Oliver, 1997-2000; William “Bill” Hamill, 2000-2005.
Visitation Pastors
Edward O Erickson, 1951-1957; John B Rockne, 1957-1963; Joel E. Nelson, 1963-1972; Arthur H. Johnshoy, 1973-1984.
Lay Visitation Minister
Ray Kierstater, 2003-2006.
Former Interns
Herbert A. Loddings, 1938-1939; Reuben A. Wangberg, 1939-1940; Lowell A. Holte, 1940-1941; Reuben Gornitzka, 1941-1942; Gilford Helgeson, 1942-1943; Leonard Hultgren, 1943-1944; Eugene W. Nilsen, 1945-1946; Wallace J. Asper, 1946-1947; Raymond L. Brien, 1947-1948; Archie Lovaas, 1948-1949; Philip S. Froiland, 1954-1955; Myrwood A Bagne, 1954-1955, Richard J. Borrud, 1955-1956, Wilmer C. Frieseth, 1956-1957; Jay Spoonheim, 1965-1965; Kathy Waltz 1995-1996, Brenda Handle-Johnson, 2021-2022.
Interim Pastors at Grace
Bill Loughmiller, 1994-1995; Gene Peterson, 2004-2005, Dennis Hansen, 2012-3014.
Pastors Ordained at Grace Lutheran Church
Arthur Wigdahl, 1945; Cecil Tellekson, 1946; Merlin I. Seal 1949; 1; Robert Henriksen, 1953; Gary E. Clark, 1963; H. Allen Vik, 1963; Bruce Williams, 1967; Keith O. Hanson, 1972; Stephen D. Swenson, 1975; Kathy Boadwine, 1979; Jim Pollard, 1981; Roger Berner, 1982; Robert Waite, 1984, Randy Emgarten, 1999; Jared Rakness, 2006.
Pastors who are Sons of Grace but Ordained Elsewhere
Gene Sikkink, 1960; Willard L Olsen, 1965; Walter J. Rasmussen, 1968; David Geo. Larson, 1974.
Educational Directors and Associates
Erwin B. Overby, 1960-1961; Willis V. Hanson, 1961-1964; Marcia Jelsma, 1983-2014, Beverly Scriver, 1992-1999; Chris Benson, 2000-2002; Jerod Jordan 2002-2011,2015-2020; Becky Sprouse, 2021-2023; Josh Casper, 2023.
Business Administrators
Miles Nysetwold, 1961-1966; Judy Everson, 1995-2014; Cindy Vander Liest, 2014-2023; Kat Anderson 2023-
Parish Workers
Rev. H.J. Hetien, 1921-1922; Gertrude Larson, 1926-1928; Rev. Geo. Wigdahl, 1927-1937; Viola Stene, 1949-1950; Hulda Simenson, 1951-1955; Betty Ellingboe, 1955-1959; Ruth Harrington (Stadhem), 1957-1960; Shirley Skoglund (Flagstad), 1965-1967; Agnes Syltie, 1967-1968; Marian Herr, 1968-1970; Ardella Hjelle, 1970-1974; Susan Wolf, 1974-1978; Alice Waldow, 1978-1982; Lindsey Miller, 2015; JoAnn Spartz, 2015-2017; Jennifer Landon, 2018-2020.
Parish Secretaries
Mildred Christopherson, 1944-1948; Marlene Megard, 1948-1950; Carol Beglou, 1950; Violet Halse (Field), 1951-1953; Elvira Lee, 1953-1957; Helen Crandall Wareham, 1957-1958; Doris Shaha, 1958-1959; Ruby Hippe, 1959-1961; Marlys Muller, 1961-1970; Ardell Johnson, 1970-1974; Nancy Nehring, 1974-1975; Cindy Haug, 1975-1976; Deb Palucci, 1976-1979; Cindy Erickson, 1979-1980; Julie Jensen, 1978-1971; Buff Johnson, 1980-1997; Shirley Kumm, 81-83; Linda Rakness, 1983-1987; Charlene Piehl, 1995-1997; Becky Leddy, 1997-1999; Elva Sigurdson, 2000-2003; Renee Ploof,2004 -2009; Mary Beth Lauricella, 2009-2012; Jody Norsworthy, 2012-2014; Kathy Kruiter, 2012-2020; Liz Dunn, 2014-2020; Will Rogers, 2021-20122; Breanna Hemiller, 2022-2023.
Pre-School
Syliva Lehman, Kaye Yackley, Lisa Goens, Bobbie Jenner, Kara Julius, Kalli Green, Dani Dobberpuhl, and Maia Brooks.
Organists
Mrs. E.C. Davey, Mrs. Cecil Tellekson, Mrs. Marie Bjornsrud, Mrs. Esther Mikkelson, Mrs. Lucille Billington Evenson, Mrs.s Art Henrikson, Velma Johnshoy, Doris Nelson, Blair Titze, Barb Kirkegaard, Gretchen Rogotzke, Angie Eickmeier, A.J. Sherrill, Mike Stusiak, Judy Everson, Marcia Jelsma, Isaac Montemeyer.
Custodians and Assistants
Ole Gesley, Ole Slostad, Ben Edwards, John Carlson, Rev H.A. Okdale, Rev. G.O. Wigdahl, Oscar Monson, Steve Johnson, Seymour Peterson, Simon Engels, Herb Englund, Arthur Vogt, Ray Ostrander, John Gonzalez, Merle Stark, Lew Fjerstad, Willie Redemske, Al Satter, Don Seim, Charles Schnackenberg, Judy Cordell, Jerry Urban, Judy Gilbertson, Chris Bensen, Myron Namken, Jerod Jordan, Elton Bresson, Dan Brekke, Rich Dunn.
Any additions of corrections should be emailed to Pastor Cheryl for future reference at: cherylgracelc@midconetwork.com Thank you!
Visioning Exercises set for July 28th
The church council will hold visioning exercises beginning on Wednesday evening July 28th from 6 to 8 pm to discuss our future mission and ministry of Grace Lutheran Church.
Visioning is an activity to engage the whole diverse and varied community of Grace in dialogue to exchange ideas and dreams of the church for the next 5 years.
By bringing together community-wide voices with various backgrounds and unique contributions everyone has an opportunity to contribute. Common ground is often found where they can build on each others strengths for the good of the whole community.
Everyone is encouraged to participate in these exercises especially youth and those under 40 who will carry on the vision of Grace for years to come.
We want your voice to be heard as part of the mission and ministry planning for your future at Grace.
Visioning is an activity to engage the whole diverse and varied community of Grace in dialogue to exchange ideas and dreams of the church for the next 5 years.
By bringing together community-wide voices with various backgrounds and unique contributions everyone has an opportunity to contribute. Common ground is often found where they can build on each others strengths for the good of the whole community.
Everyone is encouraged to participate in these exercises especially youth and those under 40 who will carry on the vision of Grace for years to come.
We want your voice to be heard as part of the mission and ministry planning for your future at Grace.
Where we are headed...
This block is under construction
Be a part of our story...
Join us every Sunday as we gather to worship together a 8:30 am during the summer.