History Of Lime Creek

Slide 1

New Beginnings in America

Norwegian immigrants came to the U. S. in the 19th century. A memorable service outdoors was under an oak tree in September of 1844 near Koshkonong, Wisconsin.

Slide 2

Early U.S. Lutheran Pastors

They planted churches, sought out members, founded congregations, built institutions, cared for the needy, instructed their people, sponsored mission work, and engaged their adversaries in controversy.

Slide 3

A Synod was born

On June 14, 1918 The Norwegian Synod of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized at Lime Creek, IA.
Rev. Bjug Harstad was elected the first President. Formal ratification of the Synod’s constitution would take place one year later.

A Brief Timeline

1844

Rev. J. W. C. Dietrichson preached a Communion Service in Koshkonong, WI
Learn More

1850s

Norwegian settlers arrived from Wisconsin.

1860

The Lime Creek congregation was organized.

1874

Construction began on the Lime Creek church building.

1879

The Lime Creek building was dedicated.

1900

The first Lime Creek parochial school opened.

 

1917

The majority of the Norwegian Synod joined other church bodies in a merger that permitted truth and error to coexist in the doctrine of Election. A small group of pastors and laypeople, for reasons of conscience, refused to agree in this Scripture-compromising merger.

1918

The reorganized group met at Lime Creek, forming what became the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Learn More

1929

A new schoolhouse was built after the first school building burned down.

1964

Lime Creek Lutheran School closed due to a lack of students.

 

1966

Lime Creek joined a parish with Lake Mills, Somber, and First Shell Rock.

1971

Immanuel in Riceville was added, forming a five-point parish.

2024

Lime Creek merged with Lake Mills and Somber to form Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church.

A Brief History

In the 1850s, settlers of Norwegian descent arrived in the area from Wisconsin. Lime Creek Lutheran Church was organized as a congregation in 1860, as part of the Norwegian Synod. In 1874, construction began on the Lime Creek Church building. It was dedicated in 1879.

Lime Creek Lutheran Church is often referred to as the “mother church” of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. In 1917, the majority of the Norwegian Synod joined other church bodies in a merger that permitted truth and error to stand side by side in the doctrine of Election. A small group of pastors and laypeople, for reasons of conscience, refused to join the majority in this Scripture-compromising merger. In 1918, the reorganized group met at the Lime Creek location. They became the Norwegian Synod of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church, later renamed the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Through the years, the congregations at Lime Creek, Somber, Lake Mills, Northwood, and Riceville shared pastoral services in various combinations. In more recent years, members from Lime Creek, Somber, and Lake Mills met together on a rotational basis at each location. In 2024, these three congregations officially merged into one. This new congregation is Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Mills.

If you would like to learn more about the history of Lime Creek, we have several accounts for you to read.

• ELS History- The official recounting of the history of our Evangelical Lutheran Synod and how Lime Creek was involved.

• Lime Creek History- From the 125th Anniversary of the Organization Anniversary Service Folder,  September 22, 1985. Compiled by Lars Petersen, Secretary, Lime Creek Evangelical Lutheran Church.

•The ELS Churches of Winnebago County, Iowa Written by Rev. Tim Erickson, 2025. Excerpts from an article written for “Oak Leaves,”  the ELS Historical Society newsletter.