Nathanael Lutheran Church and Cemetary

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The first meeting of the Dagmar colony was held at the A. P. Andersen home on May 26, 1907. Among other things it was unanimously agreed that in all things concerning the colony, the women would have the same voting rights as the men. Last but not least on the meeting agenda was the following:
1. Organization of a church congregation
2. Laying out a cemetery
3. Plans to establish a school for the children
Recorded in a book are the first three baptisms of the community performed by Pastor Henrik Plambeck on July 5, 1907 at the home of Dr. Johan Juhl.
During the latter part of 1907 a church interested group held several meetings and wrote a constitution under which they would organize a congregation. Elected to the first council were: Karl Laursen. president; Emil Christiansen, secretary; and Niels L. Christensen, treasurer. Jorgen Nielsen and Christian Jensen were elected trustees.
Mrs. E. F. Madsen suggested that the church be given the name Nathanacl in honor of the disciple of that name. The full name became Nathanael Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church and it became affiliated with the Danish Evangelical Church in America. Later the "Danish" was dropped from both titles and the synod became known as the American Evangelical Church in America.
A letter of call offering a salary of $300 per year was sent to Pastor N. P. Hald who accepted and upon arriving, homesteaded the quarter of land directly north of the present church. The first year services were conducted in a sod house and at the home of Pastor Hald. He had sent
money for lumber and the men of the congregation had built the home.
Realizing the need for a new building and with pledges of cash, labor, and transportation, the new church became a reality in the summer of 1910. This building was located about 500 feet straight north of the present church and was known as the "meeting house."
Although discussion concerning a burial ground had taken place at the first meeting, no action had been taken. As there had already been an occasional death, an area was designated and the cemetery was dedicated on August 21, 1909. On that day. Johannes Christensen, age 32, who had been a member of the original group and who had arrived with E. F. Madsen, was buried.
Pastor Hald resigned in the fall of 1910 and a meeting of the congregation was held in October. Selection of a pastor was the first order of business and the treasurer reported a cash balance of $2.48 and that $122.25 was still owed Pastor Hald.
In March, 1911, at the home of Mrs. Jorgen Jorgensen, a meeting was called for the purpose of organizing a Ladies Aid. The first year saw 28 ladies pledging themselves to helping members of the church and community in any way possible.
At a congregation meeting it was decided that for convenience they would divide the community into four districts, each with its own governing body and regular worship services. The four districts were: Dagmar, where the village is located; Racine Valley, the Anton Sundsted locality; Volmer, which is still Volmer; and Saint Ansgar, which is the area surrounding the Nathanael Church. This arrangement lasted a few years but better roads and methods of transportation eliminated the need for so many districts.
Pastor Svend Jorgensen accepted a call on October 12, 1911 and the following eight years he served saw a tremendous growth in the spiritual life and social life of the colony.
In 1913 was begun the summer religious school for the children with classes in singing, gymnastics, and folk dancing. Also begun that year was the "Midsommerfest," a three-day annual Christian and cultural lecture series conducted by visiting speakers. It also served as a time for neighbors and friends to visit over the many good meals and cups of coffee.

Feeling the need for a real house of worship, the congregation again got together and a building committee was appointed. It was agreed that pledges would be received and actual church construction would begin when the total reached $4500. It was at this time that Volmer elected to remain a separate unit to be served by the same pastor as Nathanael. Construction of the new church began in 1915 though only the basement was completed that year. The corner stone was laid by Pastor Kristian Ostcrgaard at Midsommerfest and contained a copy of the constitution of the church and other documents.
When completed the new church was valued at $7500 and the dimensions were 30' x 56', with a 16' x 20' chancel. The balcony was 16' x 30', and the tower which contained a 400 pound bell topped by a cross, reached a height of 84 feet. The cross was later destroyed by a severe storm. On December 17, 1916 the church was formally dedicated by Synod President, K. C. Bodholdt, assisted by Alfred Sorcnsen and Pastor Svend Jorgensen.
Education was considered a must for the future growth of the community and the winter of 1915 saw the beginning of "Ungdoms

Stole" (Young Peoples' School) conducted in the church basement. The records show that a lot of work was done in basic English in order to give recent immigrants working knowledge of the language that through the years would become their own. The average school day began with a song, the Apostle's Creed, and the Lord's Prayer. Subjects taught by Pastor Svend Jorgensen and his brother, Peter, included Danish, English, arithmetic, U. S. history, geography, civics, Bible, and a period of gymnastics. With the exception of three years, this school was in session each winter from 1915 to 1928. From 1928 to the mid thirties, a two year high school course was offered as a branch of the Plentywood High School.
Asking the congregation for a letter of recommendation, with the intention of becoming chaplain in the U.S. Army, Pastor Jorgensen resigned and left in October, 1919.
Pastor Arthur Frost accepted a letter of call and arrived in the summer of 1920. He recognized the need for a Sunday School program for the children of the congregation and it was begun in 1921. A Young Peoples' Society had been organized early in the history of the colony and under Pastor Frost's able supervision, was a very active organization during these years. Also organized at this time was a church choir which has remained active throughout the years. Plans for a new parsonage were submitted by Pastor Frost and the building was completed in 1925. Pastor H. C. Strandskov served the congregation while Pastor Frost vacationed and attended school in Denmark and remained as an assistant for a period of time.
After serving nine years in the congregation, Pastor Frost resigned in 1929 and moved to Askov, Minnesota. He was succeeded by Pastor Marius Larsen who arrived in April, 1930.
On October 6, 1931, the 25th anniversary of the founding of Dagmar was observed. A memorial stone was erected on the site of the old sod schoolhouse where church services were first conducted. The 25th anniversary of the congregation was observed during Midsommerfest in June, 1930.
Pastor Larsen terminated his services in 1936 and Pastor Mikkel Mikkelsen arrived in April, 1937. Up to this time the Danish language had been used for church services and Sunday School. Pastor Mikkelsen instigated a once-a-month English language service and began the conversion from the Danish to the English in Sunday School. The following years saw a language change completed and only an occasional Danish service was conducted. The congregation accepted Pastor Mikkelsen's resignation in 1939.
The congregation had to endure a number of disappointments before a new pastor finally accepted a call. He was Pastor John Enselmann who agreed to come after 15 pastors had declined the call in a period of four years. During these years visiting pastors were procured whenever possible and a number of lay services were conducted. Pastor Enselmann served from 1943 until 1948 when he moved to Clinton, Iowa.
About this time in our church and community history, a new generation was gradually assuming leadership. Pastor Ove R. Nielsen arrived in November of 1948 and his years of service among us showed a marked growth in membership and physical aspects of the church plant. Major improvements were made in the church basement and a new electric organ was purchased. THE GLEANER, first published September of 1950. brought news of church and community to parishioners and friends elsewhere. A two week summer parochial Bible camp for the children was begun and has been well attended each year. May 18. 1952 was dedication day for the new Parish Hall that had been completed during the winter and adjoined the church on the south. The Young Peoples' Society now became known as the Dagmar-Volmcr Luther League. Pastor Nielsen accepted a position with Lutheran World Relief and in April of 1954 resigned and moved to Minneapolis.
Student Pastor Robert Hermansen served the congregation during the summer of 1955 and after being ordained, accepted a call and arrived in June of 1956. The community was at this time getting ready for its October 6th and 7th fiftieth year jubilee in which the church took a very active part. The jubilee was a memorable event with approximately 1500 people attending the two day festivities.
An addition to the Parish Hall, built in the winter of 1961. provided office space, Sunday School room, bathrooms and complete modernization of water and sewer facilities. Established at this time was the Dagmar Educational Fund which provides loans for students needing additional money for higher education. This program is funded by memorials and gifts and asks repayment be left to the discretion of the student and Board of Governors.
A major decision facing the congregation at this time was whether we, as an A.E.L.C. affiliate, should merge with other Lutheran churches 240
to form a larger church body. After years of discussion pro and con, we voted for merger and in 1967 became an official member congregation of the Lutheran Church in America (L.C.A.). The Ladies Aid became known as the Lutheran Church Women (L.C.W.).
The year 1964 was one of change with Pastor Hermansen leaving in June and Pastor Terrencc Helseth arriving and being installed on August 9. The need for a new or remodeled parsonage was discussed many times and our annual Midsommerfest became Fall Fest in the hope of finding people less busy at that time. Participation in the "Friendly Town" program began in 1966, giving the people of the congregation a chance to share their blessings with the less fortunate.
The need for a new parsonage had now reached the critical stage and a joint meeting of the Nathanael-Volmer parishes voted to begin immediately with an addition to the old parsonage and extensive remodeling. This work was completed during the winter of 1967-68 and in a small way projects the faith that we have for the future of the rural congregation and community.
Pastor Helseth resigned in the spring of 1968 and Pastor Donald Kern arrived that fall and is presently serving the Nathanael-Volmer congregations.