Our Savior's Lutheran Church

OUR SAVIOR'S LUTHERAN CHURCH - VALLEY CITY

It was during 1880 that The Rev. N. Forde of Moorhead, Minnesota came to Valley City to hold religious services with the Lutheran Church members of the small community. By 1882 there were forty-two members. Svend, also known as Christian, Anderson had called a small group together in October, 1879 and it was this group to whom the Rev. Nils Forde was ministering.

The congregation was more formally organized on January 1, 1882 by The Rev. D. G. Bothne, pioneer pastor of Daily.

In 1893 Pastor H. K. Oldur succeeded Pastor Bothne and in 1895 he was succeeded by Pastor Norby, then by Pastor Breivik, then Pastor N. 1. Berg in 1899 (the first resident pastor), under whom plans for a church building were started. In 1904 the first building was erected by the church corporation (the incorporation was granted August 17, 1903).

In 1904 a Sunday School and a Young People's Society were organized. By 1919 a parsonage was added, the lot north of the church purchased and plans started for a larger church. On May 4, 1930, Pastor R. A. Ofstedal was installed. In 1934 the church became self-supporting and in 1936 additional property was secured in preparation for building a new church, a decision which was made on January 23, 1939. The cornerstone was laid August 27, 1939. By 1948 the entire church complex, including the church school unit, was complete and the dedication took place September 26th.

Thereafter, the property known as the Anderson Funeral Home was annexed. Now served by the Rev. James A. Hanson and The Rev. David E. Olson, Our Savior's Lutheran Church has a membership of 1,500.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 301