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The History of Spring Valley Lutheran Church
(From the125th Anniversary)
Pastor H. S. Hvid organized the Scandinavian Lutheran Church at Swan Lake in 1875 together with five congregational members. Jacob Jacobsen was appointed the first president of this congregation. The names of the following members appeared: Mads Petersen, P. D.
Andreasen, M. P. Jorgensen, and Jens Peter Myhre. On the 12th of August of that same year, the following members of the church council were appointed: Jorgen Jorgensen, secretary; Tosten Williamson, treasurer; N. A.
Mossefin, M. P. Jorgensen, and Christen Jensen, trustees. The congregation built not only a church and a parsonage, but also plotted a graveyard three miles west of Viborg. The church and graveyard were built on the north side of the road, and the parsonage on the south side.
The congregation later divided into two groups because it became impossible for the Danish people to attend services regularly due to the distance and impassable roads. Therefore, it became necessary for the west group to build their own church and cemetery eleven miles northwest of Viborg.
The original church, three miles west of Viborg, remained until September 19, 1918. It was then sold for $155.00 and the bell for $75.00.
SPRING VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
The first Spring Valley Lutheran Church was built in 1892. In June of 1902, a storm destroyed the building. However, the desire for restoration was soon voiced. On Sunday June 4th 1904, dedication services were held for the new church building.
In 1919-20, a basement was put under the church. In 1915, during the pastorate of the Reverend Th. N.
Jersild, Spring Valley and Turkey Valley Lutheran joined as a parish. In 1917, a parsonage was built on an eight-acre tract of land across the road to the west of Spring Valley. The church and parsonage set on a hill provided a landmark for many people over the years. In 1999, the parsonage was sold.
Spring Valley was a member of the Iowa District of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church Synod
(UELC) until 1961. At that time, a merger took place between the
UELCA, ELC, and the ALC. This formed the American Lutheran Church. On January 1, 1988, the American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches merged to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Spring Valley is a member of the ELCA.
In September of 1964, during the pastorate of the Reverend Gerhard
Lingen, ground-breaking services were held for the construction of a new church building on a site east of the cemetery. Building of the new church began in October of that year. Volunteer help provided by the church membership did most of the work. The first worship service to be held in the new church was a Communion Service held on Maundy Thursday, April 16, 1965, with the first Easter service celebrated on April 19th. The dedication of the new building was held on May 23, 1965. The year 2000 also marks the 35th year of the new church structure. In February of the year 2000, a renovation was made of the entire sanctuary. This was done with the help of many dedicated members of the church.
In 1988 Spring Valley entered a partnership with Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Viborg. The two churches jointly called Pastor Richard Steffen. The relationship with Our Savior's has been a very positive one. In 1996, Spring Valley and Our Savior's each voted to adopt the Lutheran Book of Worship as the liturgy of both churches. The transition went very well in a large part due to the excellent work and commitment by the organists of both churches. As early as Easter Sunday 1996, Spring Valley and Our Savior's were fully using the new worship books.
Spring Valley has had a long tradition of the Luther League leading the Easter sunrise service and holding a breakfast after worship. This has graced the church with the fine talent and abilities of its young people. The church has also had a history of dedicated Sunday School teachers who have richly added to the life of the church. This has included the Vacation Bible School each summer where the children are busy with crafts, music, and activities as well as Bible lessons. The Spring Valley women's group, known as the WELCA, has a long history of Bible study and service to the local and national church as well as mission sponsorship such as quilting and support of community organizations such as Children's Inn and many others. The Church Council and the Cemetery Committee, have contributed to the operation and business of the church. Through their work, the day to day business is met and completed.
As we look back on the past 125 years, it has been the dedication, faith, and concern of all our members and the church's various organizations that have helped our church to be an instrument of the work of God in our community.
CLERGY WHO HAVE SERVED SPRING VALLEY
H. S. Hivid: 1875-76
A. N. Kleven: 1876-78
H. D. Opsal: 1878-82
J. M. Mortensen
P. L. C. Hansen: 1882-87
P. Jensen: 1887-93
J. C. A. Bergreen: 1893-96
P. Thisted: 1896-97
A. M. Andersen: 1897-1903
Frederick Petersen: 1903-07
P. Blicker: 1907-10
J. Soe: 1910-13
Th. N. Jersild: 1913-21
Fritz Andersen: 1921-29
H. Irving Petersen:1929-32
N. P. Nielsen: 1932-40
Henry Iversen: 1940-43
Kenneth M. Petersen: 1944-46
Stinus S. Loft: 1947-49
Harry M. Petersen: 1949-50
H. S. Madsen: 1951-59
Laurell Larsen: 1960-62
Gerhard Lingen: 1963-67
Wallis Larsen: 1968-71
Edward Nervig: 1971-73
Ono Brandt: 1973-78
Gerhard Landgrebe: 1978-81
Miles Nysetvold: 1982-88
Richard Steffen: 1989-1994
Steven Unzicker: 1995-Present
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