The Church

The Zion Lutheran Congregation was organized in 1903, with worship services held in the Radcliffe School House; It would be nearly 10 years before an actual church would be constructed. Pastors from Abercrombie served the congregation, as well as other listing pastors.

Organization of Zion Church

(as translated from Norwegian in the original secretary's book)

January 27, 1912
-Pastor Winther called the business meeting to order. He stated that it was necessary to have a church for gathering about God's Word.
-Daniel Liedahl said that God had blessed them so far, so it was very important to have a church so we could worship in God's House. He was ready to donate $800.00.
-Nick Liedahl and Anton Leedahl said it was very important to build a church and this would be a great beginning for both young and old.
-Andrew Johnson was asked to give his feelings on this. He thought it was good to build a church but it takes money.
-Anne Liedahl said the Ladies Aid had $150.00 in the bank that could be set aside for building and that they would help with more later.
-A motion was made and seconded that the congregation go ahead and ask Ole Nelson to work out a plan and get an estimate of the cost of building a church.
-The meeting was to continue on Monday at 10 o'clock for further planning.
(Secretary, Nick Liedahl)

January 29, 1912
-Pastor Winther called a special meeting to order in Nick Liedahl's home. This meeting was continued from January 27. He wanted the people to speak up so he knew how they felt.
-Daniel Liedahl wanted to find out if workers and money could be gotten to start building a church.
-Lars Severson would help when he could. John Solhjem belonged to Helendale but would help and thought his neighbors would help, too. Andrew Johnson didn't think he could help because it was built too far away. Daniel Liedahl thought the cemetery location was a good place to build the church.
-Pastor Winther thought they could go ahead and vote on this. A motion was made and seconded to build the church but he cemetery where Mrs. N. Liedahl was buried.
-Anton Liedahl and Nick Liedahl were to be on the building committee. Daniel Liedahl was elected to be on the committee on the north side with Nick Liedahl on the south.
-The meeting was adjourned.
(Secretary, Nick Liedahl)

(An archived version of the original translation can be viewed here.)


An article from the Wahpeton Daily News about the church in 1974

Below are some photos of a few of the founding members of the church, and some historic photos of the construction: