By Allen Linderman
The Carrington congregation is among the first to be established in North Dakota, though their work had been done much earlier in the state. The congregation was established in April 1938. Prior to this traveling ministers came through and held Bible studies. The Witnesses, who base their name on Isaiah 43: 10-12, met in homes until about 1942 when leased places were used to meet in. Later in about 1944, a one-room school building which was moved to Carrington to be used as a home, was purchased and remodeled for a Kingdom Hall, as their meeting places are called.
A man by the name of Art Fischer came to Carrington, and helped start the local congregation. He conducted the first meetings held. In 1941 Otto Hjorlein came and helped progress. Many new members became associated, and still others came to serve at Carrington. Many have come and gone over the years, moving elsewhere, particularly the young ones. Many drove 30 miles or more to attend meetings, Walter Hall of Brantford being one of those. Meeting attendance grew to some 75 persons. Merritt Landon has been a member since 1938.
In 1964 a new building at the same location, 12th Avenue and 4th Street North, was constructed by a local contractor. Hundreds of people have attended at this new Hall, many from other states on their way through. Three meetings are held each week. House to house ministry is the trademark of Jehovah's Witnesses, as it was in Jesus' day. There are now about 44,000 congregations in 206 countries. One family formerly from the local congregation, the parents and their three sons and their wives serve at world headquarters in New York State. Their three daughters are now serving as missionaries in Columbia, South America.
A main part of their faith is in the ransom sacrifice of Christ Jesus, love of God and love of neighbor, and the importance of taking in Bible knowledge. They support their worldwide work on voluntary contributions only, not on solicitation of money or membership dues. They do not have a clergy-laity distinction, in that all members are taught everything about the scripture and how they can apply it in their lives. They believe the earth will be here forever and not burned up or destroyed. The earth will always be populated by mankind.
The rural congregations may seem small, yet they are all members of a worldwide association, all believing the same way. You will be interested to know Jehovah's Witnesses publish over 35 million magazines per month in 102 languages. They use all translations of the Bible, and have placed hundreds of millions of Bibles and books throughout the world. They have published one book with the widest distribution of any book in the world next to the Bible, a book entitled "The Truth Shall Make You Free". 100 million copies in many languages have been placed with people of the world. The Carrington congregation had part in this work. They meet at a local level; however, the largest meeting they ever held was in 1958 where they filled Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds in New York, to capacity including the playing fields, with 253,922 persons from around the world. Many from the Carrington congregation attended.
Much more could be said about the history of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Carrington area though this will give some information about them. A book could be written about the congregation. It is their wish to contribute peace and good will in this community. Everyone is welcome and all meetings are free.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 241