History of Golden Ridge Lutheran Church
Work in the Golden Ridge/College 2 Addition area was started by Pastor Alvin Keller in the early 1950s. At his recommendation, the mission committee of the Dakota District of the American Lutheran Church decided to organize a new congregation in the neighborhood.
In April of 1955, Pastor George Unruh of Arthur , ND was called as a mission developer. On July 10, 1955 , 49 people were present at the first official service, which was held in the public school house.
On August 11, 1955 , the new congregation was officially organized with 90 confirmed members, 67 of whom were transferred from the American Lutheran Church of Fargo. On this day, the congregation voted to build a new church building.
Plans moved along quickly. A $35,000 loan was secured from the Board of American Missions of the ALC, with groundbreaking services held on October 30, 1955 , and construction beginning the very next day. The cornerstone was laid on March 18, 1956 and members of the congregation volunteered their time to do the finish work inside the building.
The first worship service in the newly completed church was held on
June 3, 1956 . By the time of the building's dedication on October 28th, 1956 , membership had already reached 172 confirmed and 300 baptized members.
In April of 1955, Pastor George Unruh of Arthur , ND was called as a mission developer. On July 10, 1955 , 49 people were present at the first official service, which was held in the public school house.
On August 11, 1955 , the new congregation was officially organized with 90 confirmed members, 67 of whom were transferred from the American Lutheran Church of Fargo. On this day, the congregation voted to build a new church building.
Plans moved along quickly. A $35,000 loan was secured from the Board of American Missions of the ALC, with groundbreaking services held on October 30, 1955 , and construction beginning the very next day. The cornerstone was laid on March 18, 1956 and members of the congregation volunteered their time to do the finish work inside the building.
The first worship service in the newly completed church was held on
June 3, 1956 . By the time of the building's dedication on October 28th, 1956 , membership had already reached 172 confirmed and 300 baptized members.
In May of 1957, the congregation experienced a mix of emotions as its founding pastor, George Unruh, was elected as the district president (the same position we now call "bishop") of a three-state area. Pr. Unruh agreed to stay on until November 1957 with the expectation that a new pastor could be found by that time. Just a month after Pr. Unruh's election and only a year after the first worship service in the new building, a devastating tornado ripped through the Golden Ridge area, destroying the church and the homes of 32 of the 80 member families. Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Udahl and Mary Jean, charter members of the congregation, were also killed in this tragic event.
Nonetheless, 119 people gathered in the destroyed church's basement on June 30 th and began the worship service by singing, "Now Thank We All Our God." It would be difficult to find a more powerful scene of resurrection hope. After the Dakota Mission Committee learned that around 150 members intended to return to the area to rebuild or repair their homes, and that those same members desperately desired that the church be rebuilt, it was decided that a new church would be build on the old church's foundation.
Nonetheless, 119 people gathered in the destroyed church's basement on June 30 th and began the worship service by singing, "Now Thank We All Our God." It would be difficult to find a more powerful scene of resurrection hope. After the Dakota Mission Committee learned that around 150 members intended to return to the area to rebuild or repair their homes, and that those same members desperately desired that the church be rebuilt, it was decided that a new church would be build on the old church's foundation.
After paying off the original loan with insurance money, the Mission Committee secured a new loan for the rebuilding project. Around this same time, gifts came in from the ALC, the ELC, and many individuals throughout the country. It was decided that some of the gifts could be used to build a parsonage behind the church. Construction began on the parsonage in August of 1957, and the new church in October of 1957.
With the pace of reconstruction and reorganization almost matching the pace of the church's original organization, Golden Ridge Lutheran Church called Pr. Frederick Moberg of Bancroft , SD. He accepted the call and was installed on November 17, 1957 . During the rebuilding, worship services were held in the basement that still existed from the first church. Members recall with a smile the Sundays that they were able to hear the mice scurrying around on the basement ceiling (the floor of the new church building) during Sunday services. Worship was held in the newly constructed church beginning on March 9, 1958.
Just like during its initial construction, members of the congregation volunteered their time to do the finish work inside the church. Thanks to the blessings of God and the faithful work of the membership, the new building was ready for its dedication on May 25, 1958 .
With the pace of reconstruction and reorganization almost matching the pace of the church's original organization, Golden Ridge Lutheran Church called Pr. Frederick Moberg of Bancroft , SD. He accepted the call and was installed on November 17, 1957 . During the rebuilding, worship services were held in the basement that still existed from the first church. Members recall with a smile the Sundays that they were able to hear the mice scurrying around on the basement ceiling (the floor of the new church building) during Sunday services. Worship was held in the newly constructed church beginning on March 9, 1958.
Just like during its initial construction, members of the congregation volunteered their time to do the finish work inside the church. Thanks to the blessings of God and the faithful work of the membership, the new building was ready for its dedication on May 25, 1958 .
To remember the church's mission and the past obstacles overcome, a special stained glass window was placed in the nursery room. The tornado approaching the little church is a permanent reminder of the challenges of ministry and the abundant grace of God, given to meet those challenges.
