The earliest record found of organized Protestant church activity was that of the Thomas Van Weston Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Lutheran Congregation organized May 24, 1886. The first Pastor was The Rev. O. K. Anderson. Some of the earliest members were the families of Jorgen S. Aandahl, Andres Hanson, Ole Olson, Jens J. Ottis, Solomon J. Sortland, Edward J. Brox, Jorgen Olafson, Johannes J. Fosmarck, Lars P. Storlie, Ole Anderson, Peter Farsland, Tom Nelson, Joseph Christenson, James Petersson, Rasmus Monson, and Charles Olson. In 1894, the following joined the congregation: Stork S. Urang family, the Peder Sarsten family, and the Ole Falstad family.
On June 28, 1892, the church changed its name to St. Thomas. Meetings were held during these early years in various school houses during the summer and in the homes during the winter. The St. Thomas church was built in 1908. The first class of confirmants were: Solomon Gunderson Sarsten, Ane Bertine Bentsdatter, Ole Olson Tvedt, Johannes Fosmarck, and Nette Andreason Storlie, in 1888.
In 1899, a Swedish church, called the "Missions Venner" (The Swedish Missions Friends) was built. Axel Nyberg was instrumental in getting donations and getting the church built. He also was the pastor for a number of years. It was closed in 1915 and the building was sold to George Tvedt who remodeled it into living quarters.
As the number of Norwegian immigrants grew, they felt the need of organizing their own congregation. A small group of Norwegians decided to affiliate with the Evangelical Free Church. For a few years, meetings were held in the homes and school houses, with S. G. Sarsten as the leader. It was June 15, 1899 when the constitution was signed by S. G. Sarsten, P. G. Sarsten, S. J. Sortland, and Ane B. Sarsten. The first church was built on land donated by S. G. Sortland, and was dedicated on July 8, 1906. The first child to be baptized was
Clara Helene, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Larson, and the first marriage was that of Tony Olson and Signe Anderson. In 1904, The Rev. S. G. Sarsten was formally installed as minister. He served until his death on November 22, 1914. Among the ministers who followed him were: Christopher Myrdahl, T. T. Hanson, Bernard Riersen, Walter Lindgren, Olai Urang, Chester Olson, Ambrose Collins Leslie Otteson, Gordon Langmade, Walter Erickson, Dennis Anderson, and the present pastor is Donald Nydam.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 304