The Mabel Congregation was organized March 2, 1896 in the Andrew Anderson schoolhouse. Twenty-five members and their families comprised the first membership roll. They were:
Ingebret Simmonson, Christ Jackson, Christ Kjelson, Oscar Kjelson, Otto Simmonson, Hans P. Fuglestad, Thorston Michaelson, Andrew J. Anderson, Christ J. Erlandson, Syver Peterson, Henrik Larson, Johan P. Larson, John Simenson, Ole O. Anderson, Anthon C. Kjelson, Lars O. Klundby, Otto Thorsgard, Falk Larson, Charles C. Frydenberg, John Stering, Iver Elvrem, Anton Christopherson, Mikal Norgaard, Martin Thompson, and Ole T. Michaelson.
In 1899 a church was erected three miles south and one mile west of Sutton. Until this time this group of faithful workers were holding meetings in a schoolhouse or in private homes. In order to raise funds for the new church, members rented land and raised flax. In the spring of 1926 the congregation had the misfortune of losing their church and all of the contents by fire. In the fall of 1928 it was decided to build a new church in the Sutton village. When the building was far enough along, services were held in the church basement and while during the building period services were held in the schoolhouse and the Methodist Church. Several years passed before work continued on the church because of the critical period from 1928-1935, with depression and the closing of the bank where the church funds were deposited. In 1936 the congregation began thinking of completing the church, in 1941 the cornerstone was laid, and by November 9, 1943 the ladies aid and congregation joined for the mortgage burning.
Pastors who have served Mabel Lutheran Church are:
Reverend P. A. Thoreson who was the first pastor of the church, Reverend George Natwick, Reverend John Haaland, Reverend M. B. Ordahl, Reverend John Meling, Reverend P. H. Holm Jensen, Reverend H. J. Hanson, Reverend C. M. Rasmussen, Reverend A. P. Tidemann, Reverend Edwin Schmidt, Reverend Roger Paulson, Reverend Neil Thompson, and presently Reverend Michael Lockerby.
Mrs. Isabelle Kjelson, one of the older members willed her estate of $7,685 to the Mabel Lutheran Church. Of this amount the congregation agreed to give $500 to the cemetery fund. The rest of the amount was applied to the building of a new narthex and a back entrance to the basement. A new furnace for heating the basement and narthex was installed and also carpeting the narthex.
Harry Kolpin, also one of the older members of Mabel Lutheran, needs mentioning. He retired from his farming operations, moved into Sutton to live in February 1959, and has been custodian of the church for sixteen years. He and his wife, Rena who passed away December 31, 1967 will be remembered to having devoted much of their time and effort to the church, and will be remembered by fellow members for their kindness.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 352