The First "Norwegian" Lutheran Parish in Freeborn County

(From the Centennial Folder of September 7-10, 1961):

Matthew 18:20 "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

       From such humble beginnings grew many of the flourishing congregations of rural Minnesota.   The first meetings of these Scandinavian pioneers were held in their cabins and at homes in nearby groves.

      On June 24, 1860, in the Manchester district, a meeting was held for the purpose of raising a fund out of which to pay a visiting pastor for occasional ministerial services.  Pastor A. C. Preus and Pastor V. Koren are know to have ministered to the early pioneers before the parish was organized by the call of  Pastor C. L. Clausen from St. Ansgar, Iowa.

       The formal organization of the (Central) Freeborn Congregation took place in 1861.  This was the first Norwegian Lutheran Congregation organized in Freeborn County.  It took its name from the county.

       Before the churches were built the early pastors came to stay overnight at the Ole Styve farm Home.  They would pass the word around throughout the community.  The people would gather there for services, for baptisms and for marriages.  Often there would be many baptisms for one family.  There were two confirmation classes held under the trees.

       Very soon afterwards the sister congregations of West (1867), East (1863), and North (1873) Freeborn came into existence.  But until the year 1888, all were incorporated as one congregation.

       Before Pastor C. L. Clausen resigned he installed the Rev. T. A. Torgerson of Somber, Iowa., who had been called as a successor.   The Rev. Torgerson served the parish until the arrival of the first resident pastor, the Rev. Einar Wulfsberg in the spring of 1868.

      A number of congregations have sprung from the (Central) Freeborn congregation as first organized.  These are: Moscow (1889), Oakland (1876), Trondhjem (1891) and Hayward (1876.)   Round Prairie (1861), Lunder (1905), Albert Lea First Lutheran (1872), West Freeborn (1867) and Hartland (1890).  East (1863) and North (1873) and the former Synod Church in Albert Lea (1875). 

     The first Central and East churches were built in 1865.  In 1877, the North Church was built.  The three churches constituting the Freeborn Parish were very extensively remodeled and rededicated in 1926, 1828,  1827 respectively. (p.9)*

*From further research, it appears Round Prairie Lutheran and Central Freeborn were organized around the same year (1861).  From that date, other congregations were organized by the Norwegian Synod in following order: East (1863), First  of Manchester & West Freeborn (1867), Berlin-First Ellendale (1870), Aurora (1871), First (Albert Lea) 1872-1875, North Freeborn (1873), Oakland (1876), Hayward (1876), Moscow (1889), Hartland (1890), Trondhjem (1891) and Lunder (1905).   This was a very turbulent time in Norwegian-American Lutheranism.  So there were many splits and a few re-unifications leading up to the merger of many congregations in 1917 to form the Norwegian Lutheran Church in America ( later named Evangelical Lutheran Church or E.L.C.) The listed congregations were considered branches or "daughter" congregations from the Central Freeborn branch.

The Freeborn Parish is Split

Around 1958 and 1959, the Southern Minnesota District of E.L.C., Encouraged East, Central and North Freeborn to considered calling separate Pastors, and dissolve their parish.   During this time, East Freeborn built an educational wing and made plans for a new Parsonage.   After the resignation of Pastor C. Scriver Petersen, East called the Rev. Gordon Carls and Central & North called Rev. Paul Reppe.   This was a friendly separation based on strong activity, membership and attendance.  Strong family and friendships bonds remained during these years.  They would eventually lead to resumption of the Parish.

The Freeborn County Parish Today

After a separation of 48 years and the closure of North Freeborn in 1999, Central & East Freeborn Lutheran Congregations are a two-point Parish formed in 2008. Although our roots extend over 150 years with a call extended to Rev. Claus L. Clausen by a group of residents in the Manchester, Minnesota area in 1860,  we are a thriving, generous parish that extends its influenclater Ee locally and around the world.

We are two congregations that share leadership, a common mission and strong fellowship as Christians here in southern Minnesota.  We are both rural churches located just outside the city of Albert Lea in Freeborn County, Minnesota. 

To further our mission and impact, we are part of the Blue Earth River Conference (BERC) of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod (SE MN Synod) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  

Central and East do join together for several joint worship services and mission opportunities each year and take turns hosting events.