A Church is Born

With a growing Swedish settlement next door to a growing trade center, it was nearly inevitable that a Swedish church should be born in Centuria. This birth did not come easily or hastily. The earlier settlers had strong ties and loyalties to Bethesda. Recent settlers, many not yet Bethesda members, looked to the village for a new church. The Lamar Chapel was fairly convenient, but did not provide full church services and travel to Sand Lake under Pioneer conditions could be arduous. There were questions of finance. Could the Lamar Chapel be moved? It took five years of discussion, meetings, and petitions before the decision to found a new church was made.

An early move toward a new church was made in 1905, when 30-40 people petitioned Bethesda for a Swedish service in Centuria. Pastor G.A. Stenborg did come and preached in the recently built Methodist Church. Discussion was stimulated, but active interest lagged. In January, 1906, the Lamar congregation moved to enlarge its chapel, but already in May, 1906, agreed to postpone the addition while a committee investigated the need, potentials, and site for a church in Centuria. It was not easy for Lamar to break from Bethesda and it was decided to let the matter rest for a time. Bethesda was about to change pastors and build a new parsonage.

The tide of interest, however, was swinging toward Centuria. A new membership list in 1908 secured 69 names. On March 4, 1909, the critical decision was made to petition Bethesda for the right to organize a congregation in Centuria. Once this hurdle was passed, matters moved ahead rapidly. On April 29, 1909, in the Methodist Church under the guidance of Pastor Gustav Rast, the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized and given the name "Fristad" (City of Refuge). The name came from Pastor Rast's home parish in Alvsborg Lan, Vastergotland, Sweden. A list of 222 potential members was presented, of which 75 were Bethesda members.

The first site for the church was outside the village (chosen in part because of the "character" of the village) but Pastor Rast urged an in-village location. Having abandoned as impractical, a plan to move the Lamar Chapel, the congregation authorized loans of $3,400 for a new church (also authorized were a cemetery, horse barns, a well, and the purchase of two "havar" - collections bags on rods). Work began immediately as members helped to clear the land, cut the logs, dig a basement, haul in gravel and brick (from Ed Dombrock kilns), and mix all cement by hand. On June 24, 1910, with a Midsummer Fest, the cornerstone was placed and on November 13, 1910, the first services were held in the church parlors. By 1912, the basic structure was completed at a cost of $4,221.23 and on July 29, 1914, the church was officially dedicated.

Meanwhile, the congregation was being organized. Pastor Gustav Rast was officially called to provide twice-a-month services (salary - $350 per year) to be replaced in 1910 by Pastor C.J. Collin. The first deacons were John G. Anderson, Alfred Swanson, and C.P. Peterson. The first trustees were C.E. Sandberg, Ernest Nelson, and F.E. Johnson. Gustav Quist was the organist and Frank Johnson, secretary. Membership dues were set at $5.00 per man and $3.00 per woman with half these rates for children. Dues were to be collected by the trustees in their district. Masons and members of the other secret societies would not be welcomed members. Sunday and Parochial Schools were arranged, Ladies Aid (Qvinnor's Sy och Missions Förening), Busy Bees, and a Luther League (formed in Chisago Lakes) were organized. The congregation became a part of the Apple River District of the Minnesota Conference in the Augustana Synod.

By 1914 the congregation had grown to more than 300 members and thoughts of total independence from Bethesda arose. Some efforts were made without success to interest Rock Creek, Bone Lake, and Dresser communities to associate with Fristad. At a special meeting on April 11, 1917, the congregation decided to lay away its crutch and stand on its own feet (or as Pastor Collen put it, "Församlingen har beslutat lägga bort krykan och stå på egena Fötter"). On January 1, 1918, Fristad became an independent congregation, with Albin Lindgren as its first pastor.

And so it was, that with deep roots, willing hands, and strong faith, a church was born, and its name was "Fristad."

1900-1909
 

PHONE 715-646-2357 • PO Box 217 • 501 State Road 35, Centuria, Wisconsin 54824, USA • info@fristad.org