Timeline
1859: The Little Cedar congregation was first organized on November 26th at a meeting in the log home of Hans Erickson Floen, the James and Dorothy Bergene farm. Charter members were Rognald and John Olson Holstad, Tideman and Eric Knutson Aaberg, John and Harold Irgens, Helge Floen, John Osmundson Hauske, Henrick Benson Hagen, John Olson Hesjedahl and sons, John and Ole, John Olson Qvale, Simon Knutson Vik, Ole Gullickson Tildenn and sons, Gullick and Tollef, Anders Olson Alrick, Ole Johnson Holstad, Rasmus Rasmussen Vignas and Nels Finkelson Prestehegge.
1863: The first church was built where the cemetery is now located. It was named after the Little Cedar River which originates in Marshall Township.The church was made of logs furnished by members of the congregation. It was 30’ x 40’. While it was being constructed, the Civil War broke out and Norwegians in the area responded in large numbers. The first pastor, Rev. C.L. Clausen, served as a chaplain and later returned to resume his duties for the five area congregations.
1867: On October 12th, several congregations united, forming a single charge. These were Little Cedar, St. Ansgar, Rock Creek, Six Mile Grove and Blooming Prairie. Rev. P.G. Ostby (1871-1877), Rev. Clausen’s assistant, became permanent pastor.
1876: The original log building was replaced by a frame building. However, times were difficult and it took ten years for all the furnishings to be completed.
1877: Another parish alignment was made with Six Mile Grove, Mona, Lyle and Little Cedar joining and calling Rev. B.B. Gjeldaker (1877-1881) as pastor.
1881: Rev. J. Muller Eggen became pastor, serving until 1900.
1900: Pastor Wm. A. Rasmussen (1900-1906) accepted a call as pastor with the stipulation that a parsonage be built. Little Cedar and West LeRoy became a parish served by Rev. Rasmussen. Five acres of land were purchased for the sum of $450 and a parsonage was constructed. For two years previously, people in the Village of Adams had talked of renting a building for worship instead of going out into the country for most of the village residents did not own horses.
1907: Cornerstone for the new church was laid on September 1st.
1908: First service was held in the village church on March 22nd with the parsonage close by. At the same time, extensive remodeling was done on the church in the country in preparation for its 50th anniversary. This church was free of debt when it was completed.909: 50th anniversary celebrated in November. The new church was dedicated on March 28th.
1910: Frame church burned to the ground in June. It was believed that a spark from a passing train ignited it.
1915-1919: C.B. Runsvold was the next pastor and during his pastorate, the weekday school was introduced and continues to this time.
1964: Little Cedar congregation dedicated a new educational building in April
1968: A new parsonage was built
1977: Groundbreaking for a new church in April.
1977: The last services in the old brick church were held on Christmas Day.
1978: Services were held for the first time on January 8th in the present church. A snowstorm caused the cancellation of services on the previous Sunday.
1989: A new tracker action pipe organ was dedicated on October 29th. Since that time, three more ranks of pipes have been added bringing the total of pipes to 1002. Also added, was a set of 25 Peterson chimes playable from the organ on a separate keyboard.
1863: The first church was built where the cemetery is now located. It was named after the Little Cedar River which originates in Marshall Township.The church was made of logs furnished by members of the congregation. It was 30’ x 40’. While it was being constructed, the Civil War broke out and Norwegians in the area responded in large numbers. The first pastor, Rev. C.L. Clausen, served as a chaplain and later returned to resume his duties for the five area congregations.
1867: On October 12th, several congregations united, forming a single charge. These were Little Cedar, St. Ansgar, Rock Creek, Six Mile Grove and Blooming Prairie. Rev. P.G. Ostby (1871-1877), Rev. Clausen’s assistant, became permanent pastor.
1876: The original log building was replaced by a frame building. However, times were difficult and it took ten years for all the furnishings to be completed.
1877: Another parish alignment was made with Six Mile Grove, Mona, Lyle and Little Cedar joining and calling Rev. B.B. Gjeldaker (1877-1881) as pastor.
1881: Rev. J. Muller Eggen became pastor, serving until 1900.
1900: Pastor Wm. A. Rasmussen (1900-1906) accepted a call as pastor with the stipulation that a parsonage be built. Little Cedar and West LeRoy became a parish served by Rev. Rasmussen. Five acres of land were purchased for the sum of $450 and a parsonage was constructed. For two years previously, people in the Village of Adams had talked of renting a building for worship instead of going out into the country for most of the village residents did not own horses.
1907: Cornerstone for the new church was laid on September 1st.
1908: First service was held in the village church on March 22nd with the parsonage close by. At the same time, extensive remodeling was done on the church in the country in preparation for its 50th anniversary. This church was free of debt when it was completed.909: 50th anniversary celebrated in November. The new church was dedicated on March 28th.
1910: Frame church burned to the ground in June. It was believed that a spark from a passing train ignited it.
1915-1919: C.B. Runsvold was the next pastor and during his pastorate, the weekday school was introduced and continues to this time.
1964: Little Cedar congregation dedicated a new educational building in April
1968: A new parsonage was built
1977: Groundbreaking for a new church in April.
1977: The last services in the old brick church were held on Christmas Day.
1978: Services were held for the first time on January 8th in the present church. A snowstorm caused the cancellation of services on the previous Sunday.
1989: A new tracker action pipe organ was dedicated on October 29th. Since that time, three more ranks of pipes have been added bringing the total of pipes to 1002. Also added, was a set of 25 Peterson chimes playable from the organ on a separate keyboard.