The first records we could find that the ladies had of helping were that on November 19, 1888, a motion was made to have a festival the next summer and the ladies were asked to make articles to sell for the festival and the proceeds to be used for the church.
The first records of the Ladies Aid as it was called at that time, was in 1899 and the members were
Mrs. H. Eliason, Mrs. Ole Trostad, Mrs. Gabriel Gilbertson, Mrs. Charlie Johnson, Mrs. Olaus Krogfoss, Mrs. Kari Alfson. In 1900 Mrs. S. Ness, Mrs. Tvedte, Mrs. Ole Alfson, Mrs. Ole K. Olson, Mrs. S. Tande, Mrs. Tollef Tweed, Mrs. Erick Watne, Mrs. Janna Rorvig, Mrs. Anna Rorvig, Mrs. Marie Rorvig, Mrs. Herjus Osmundson, Mrs. Ole Thorn, Mrs. Anna Laatvedt, Mrs. Fingar Larson, Oline Aslakson, Mrs. Aslaug Olson, Mrs. Ingeborg Pederson joined in serving the Ladies Aid.
These ladies did a lot of handwork, made quilts, also silk quilts, had oyster suppers, and had annual sales, which proceeds went to pay for articles for the church. It is interesting to note the difference in prices of merchandise, shining 15¢ per yard, gingham 8¢ per yard and 12½¢ per yard, one dozen spools of thread for 50¢, print 5¢ per yard and ribbon at 10¢ per yard.
These ladies, after helping pay for the organ, chairs, fence, pulpit, and altar and altar ring, were very generous in giving to missions both home and foreign which included
Indremissionen Hedningmissionen
Ydre Missionen
Library war fund
testaments for the soldiers
Fairview Hospital and building fund
Lake Park Orphans Home
Ladies Hall, Northfield, Minnesota and Ebenezeer Home.
The ladies aid has now been changed to A. L. C. W. (American Lutheran Church Women), and at present we have 12 (twelve) active members and 7 (seven) honorary members. One member is the oldest confirmed member in our church being Julianna Knutson, confirmed in 1901 by Pastor Eliason. All seven (7) members were present and honored at the 90th anniversary of West Prairie Church on May 18, 1975. These members are
Mrs. Julianna Knutson, Mrs. Gurine Osmundson, Mrs. Neva Anderson, Mrs. Henry Knutson, Mrs. Sigvart York, Mrs. Julia Boyer, Mrs. Fred Arndt.
The following pastors have served our beloved church well these past years
Pastor Gronvold, 1885 to 1887
Pastor Larson, 1887 to 1892
Pastor H. Eliason, 1892 to 1912
Pastor K. Mjaanes, 1912 to 1916
Pastor H. Fjelstad, 1916 to 1918
Pastor H. O. Bach, 1919 to 1924
Pastor M. Tufteland, 1924 to 1956
Student pastor L. Jacobson, 1957
Pastor O. J. Sunde, 1958 to 1964
Pastor J. Knutson, 1964 to 1967
Pastor E. Nieman, 1968 to 1971
Pastor E. Okarke, 1971.
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Revelations 22:21.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 362