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| SUMMIT PHOTO BY BOB FENSKE
Current United Methodist Church Pastor Jerry Swanberg shares a message with his congregation, one that has its roots in the Norwegian Methodist Church which began meeting in 1858 and built its first church (inset) in 1874. |
150 years young
Longtime Methodists say their church remains strong
By Mary Loden
Of The Summit
The United Methodist Church in Forest City will celebrate its 150-year presence in the community this Sunday.
A special service is planned at 10 a.m. with music by the Bell Choir, Chancel Choir and the Children's Choir along with recognition of members who have been part of the congregation for 50 years and more.
The church actually has a dual history, one that is remembered and can be retold by many of its older members. Prior to 1940 there were two churches and two congregations. Although the church names have changed several times over the years one thing has remained the same - their one unified faith.
Lorraine Nyhus, 91, has been a member of the Methodist church for 79 years. “We started out as members of the Scandinavian Methodist Church,” she said although she started life as a Lutheran, following the faith of her father
The Nyhus family lived on a farm located eight miles northeast of Forest City and attended the little Norwegian Lutheran church located on the north edge of their property. “We went to church school in the school house across the road,” she said, smiling as her memories took her back to a much simpler time
However, their church was too small to offer classes in higher religious instruction. “When my oldest sister was at the age where they thought she should be in confirmation we started coming to church in Forest City,” Nyhus said. “My mother's family was connected to the Methodist Church.”
“We were all confirmed at the (Scandinavian) Methodist Church. My confirmation class was the biggest they had at the time - 10 members - and we had Pastor Rohrstaff,” she recalled.
The church was a very big part of their lives. “Once we started going we were always concerned about going, we seldom missed,” she said when asked what has kept her in attendance for 79 years. “We always tried to take part in things they asked of us and were always associated with so many things.”
Phil Hansen, 86, has been a confirmed member of the church for 73 years. “As a kid attending Sunday school my family was a member of First Methodist Church.
It's the only one I ever went to. Every year it keeps growing bigger, better and finer.” He said.
Being an architect and engineer Hansen's fondest recollections involve the planning and building of the current church structure. He said his father, Pete Hansen, served as chairman of the trustee board and between him and Ralph Bowen, “they drummed up enough interest in building a new church,” he said. The congregation, “kept growing and growing and needed more parking than what they had on Main Street,” Hansen said.
He remembers installing the heating system into the new building in 1950 and then being contracted to work on several more churches after that.
Helen Gorenson, 82, is a 70-year member of the Methodist church. “My family moved to Forest City in 1938. I was in 7th grade and we attended the First Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Seward,” she said.
“I've sang in the choir since 9th grade and have been a member of the Bell Choir since it began six or seven years ago, until illness took the sap out of me” Goranson said. “I've been a Circle member and UMW (United Methodist Women) member. It's a very friendly church. I appreciate that very much.”
“Since I've been ill many people tell me they remember me in prayers. You need support when you're not feeling well. It is nice to have that reassurance,” she said.
Goranson is excited about the church celebrating 150 years. “Hopefully they will continue to grow. Younger members are stepping up and taking on jobs older members have had,” she said. “It is reassuring to know there is interest to keep the church going. It's always been my church home. I feel very fortunate I'm still a member and still see it grow.”
“Rev. Pettersen is the only one I remember growing up,” said Dixie Rauk, coordinator of Lay Ministries at United Methodist Church. “We came to Forest City when I was 5 and he was still the pastor the year I graduated.”
Pettersen and his family moved from Chicago, Ill. to Forest City in 1935 when he accepted the pastoral position at the Scandinavian Methodist Church. In 1940 he also accepted the position at the First Methodist Church and is responsible for unifying the two churches and congregations.
His son, Hugh Pettersen, the only living family member, will be attending the church service and festivities on Sunday.
“It is a phenomenal thing to be able to be in the community for 150 years, to have a Christian presence in our ministry and mission,” said Rev. Jerry Swanberg, pastor at United Methodist Church. “A lot of wonderful things have happened in 150 years.”
Story created Nov 04, 2008 - 15:09:30 CST.
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