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Camp Congregation
The History of Renville County, Volume 2
Compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Chapter XL
p. 1262-1263

In the early days of the settlement of those western prairies a considerable number of Norwegian emigrants moved west to find new homes, and during the last part of the sixties, especially in the years 1868, 1869, 1871 and 1872, Camp township was very well settled. Most of the Scandinavians belonged to the Lutheran belief and confession, and as soon as these new settlers were well located they made arrangements to be visited by ministers of their own faith. Rev. Johnson of St. Peter, the nearest Norwegian Lutheran minister, took charge here the first number of years. Later he was followed by several others.

There was no formal organization of any congregation until after some years later, as during the so-called grasshopper plague this country was very badly set back. Finally in the year 1885 the Camp Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized, of which the first officers were elected as follows. G. O. Myrhang, president; Ole H. Grasmoen, Sever Nelson, and Ole Jacobson, trustees; N. O. Berge, aecretary; J. O. Semmerud, treasurer. During the year 1885 it was determined to start a fund to build a church. A subscription was secured to the amount of $1,000, a constitution was adopted, and the Camp congregation was formally incorporated under the state laws in March, 1886, and a building committee was appointed to see the church was built during the summer of that year.

Ole C. Engg got the contract to build the structure, on the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 25, in town of Camp, three miles northwest from old Fort Ridgely. The church was fully finished and equipped and was dedicated in the summer of 1888. During these years the congregation has been served by ministers as follows: Rev. Falk. M. Gjertsen, of Minneapolis; Prof. Blegan, of Minneapolis; Prof. Theo. S. Reimstad; Rev. Ytterhus; Rev. Wold. Rev. S.E. Sorenson served the congregation for about three years. Rev. C. O. Rosing was the first minister to reside here, and served the congregation something over three years. Rev. J. S. Snave served little over one year. Rev. O. R. Farseth, of Clarkfield, served about one and one-half years. Rev. E. H. Midtbo served some over three years. Rev. Thomas Hanson served from 1901 until November, 1906. Rev. R. K.Fjelstad served from 1907 until 1912. Ever since, Revs. Thomas Hanson and P. H. Rognlie have served the congregation alternately up to the present time.

The last report given as the total membership was 55.

Following is a list of the old pioneer members of this denomination, and who were the first to contribute the largest part of the cost of the church, namely: E. G. Melwold, G. O. Myrhaug, Ole Jacobson, M. J. Asak, J. O. Semmrud, Jacob Peterson, Sever Nelson, A. A. Bergley, N. O. Berge, Eimar Nelson, Andrias Nelson, Christian Nelson, A. L. Nesseth, Martin O. Nelson, Louis Peterson, A. H. Bergely, Gunder Borstad, Amon A. Berger, Engbrith Larson, Ole Melwold, Kasper H. Grasmoen, Ole Grasmoen, Ole O. Kinder, and several members joined later. The first service in the new church was solemnized on Sunday, the 21st of July, 1886. The first child baptized at the service was Gina Bergely, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Bergely, hy Rev. S. E. Sorenson. The first marriage solemnized in the new church was the marriage of John O. Hogstad of Camp, and Nellie Jacobson, also of Camp. Rev. S.E. Sorenson performing the ceremony on July 21, 1888.

This congregation has its cemetery on their church lot which contains about two and one-half acres, in which many of the old pioneer members are laid to rest. The first burials were: Mrs. A. J. Asak, Mrs. Lewis Hanson, Mrs. Halvor Hanson, away back in the eighties, of whose deaths there are no church records. The first death on record is that of Hans Eidsvold, December 16, 1888. The Camp Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran congregation concluded some years ago to join and be a member of the United Lutheran church of America.

The present officers of this congregation are: A. A. Bergely, vice president; N. O. Nelson, J. O. Semmerud, and Johnny O. Jacobson, trustees; N. O. Berge, secretary; A. E. Melwold, treasurer.


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