History

(This history is a summary - complete timeline of Bergen's history is attached below. Also click on words in green and underlined for a link to more detailed info.)

Bergen's history can be traced back to 1847 when a group of Norwegians came to the U.S. on the ship King Severre. When they settled in the Roland/Story City area, they first started attending a church in Story City that became St. Petri Lutheran Church as noted in early history. In 1874, the first Bergen Church was built on a piece of farmland donated by Michael Hegland and 109 men (plus families) became the charter members. This was the largest auditorium in Story County for many years. In 1911, Bergen Congregation voted to affiliate with the Norwegian Synod. On March 8, 1915, Bergen Church was incorporated under the laws of the State of Iowa.

Bergen Congregation was officially organized and Rev. C.B. Jacobson, assistant pastor at St. Petri, was called to be the first pastor of Bergen. In 1879, a tract of fifteen acres of land was purchased from Ingebrit Grindem for the sum of $1700.00. This land had on it a large square house, which became the parsonage. In addition to the pastor's salary of $500, he had land to raise feed for his own horses, perhaps keep a cow and raise food products to augment his salary. (complete listing of Pastors at Bergen).

In 1882, members of the NE District (people living in the vicinity of Garden City and McCallsburg) petitioned to have church services in their area every fourth Sunday. These services were initially held in the schoolhouses in the area until the East Bergen Church was built in 1894. Services were held at East Bergen every fourth Sunday as well as second day Church Festivals and New Year's Day.

Music has always been very important to the members of Bergen. They have been blessed with outstanding music directors, singers, and organists. The first organ was purchased in 1886 from the Muller Organ Company and cost $800. When the new church was built in 1929 a new two manual instrument built by Voetteler-Holtkamp-Sparling Company was installed at a cost of $7500.

Funeral at First Bergen - organ located in front of church

(Otto Hanson - soloist; Alma Hanson - organist)

In 1921, under the pastorship of Rev. M.O. Sumstad a couple new organizations were formed. The Willing Workers for little girls supported missions and the work of the local church and the Priscilla society consisted of young women formed to support missions.

The Bergen Congregation outgrew their first church and on December 3, 1928 final building plans for the new church were considered and approved. Construction of the new church began April 1, 1929 by Lippert Brothers of Boone, IA - church was completed in October. The Cornerstone was laid May 26, 1929 and dedication was held October 27, 1929. The last service in the old church was held on this day. Unfortunately, the financial crash of 1929 also happened and members were not able to pay off the church debt until 1942. To celebrate they held a service of praise and thanksgiving and the cancelled notes were burned in a silver bowl.

In the early 1930's Sunday School was started, the Ladies Aid organized a library, and an every member envelope giving system began.

The debt of the new church was paid!! In the early part of 1942, the debt of the new church was gradually reduced to $9,000. After a successful drive the debt was paid in full. On May 31, 1942, the congegation held a service of praise and thanksgiving and the cancelled notes were burned in a silver bowl.

In 1942 a children's choir was formed and a Luther League for high school age kids with a focus of winning and holding the young people for Christ thru knowledge of doctrines & history of Lutheran Church, opportunities to express faith through programs, support of church and missionaries, and fellowship and recreation under Christian guidance and sponsorship. The Bergen Brotherhood was organized in 1943 for men of the congregation.

Women of Bergen Church were given the right to vote on January 13, 1958. New red hymnals, "Service and Hymnal Book" were used for the first time on Easter Sunday, 1959. The Altar Guild was formed in January, 1960. A new constitution was approved by which the executive order of the congregation was changed.

Bergen congregation was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church until 1961 when it became a member of the American Lutheran Church (merger of the ELC, ALC and UELC). An 18 member Executive council was elected for the first time at the annual meeting on January 8, 1962.

Also in 1962, Vacation Bible School began and Bergen began sponsoring a missionary, Rev. Harold E. Mundschenk, who served in Cameroon, Africa. Harold and Ruth Mundschenk served until 1995 when he retired.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was formed from three separate North American church bodies, The American Lutheran Church, The Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and The Lutheran Church in America with the constituting convention held April 30 through May 3, 1987. Beginning January 1, 1988, these churches, with shared beliefs and missions, officially formed the ELCA.

A Memorial Committee was established in 1979 and the new green "Lutheran Book of Worship" was adopted in 1979. In 1980, ACTS (Adults Come Together) formed and extensive remodeling of the East Wing took place. Retreats to Colorado started in 1982 and continued every other year through1998. In 1989 CARE units(Congregational Action Reaching Everyone) were formed to provide and serve food for various church functions, along with providing and receiving "care" for its members.

The Music Committee was established in the spring of 1994. A Mission Committee was formed in the summer of 1999. "With One Voice" song books were purchased by Memorial Committee and dedication was held on March 11, 2001. A new sound system was installed in March 2001 and in 2002 a Worship Committee was formed.

In 2003, the Bergen Council formulated the Bergen Mission Statement and Vision Statement:

Bergen Mission Statement - "Worshiping, learning, and serving God together, the first time through a lifetime."

Bergen Vision Statement -

"We are a God-centered family serving our Lord, who:

proclaims and shares the Gospel, welcomes all, cares for one another,

grows through cooperation, is aware of needs and resources,

lives together in unity to fulfill God's promises,

and trusts God to provide guidance."

GROW "Get Renewed on Wednesdays" was started by the youth director in 2004 as an after school program for kids in the Roland community and offered to kids in grades 1 thru 5. The goal of the program is "to build relationships with Christian people and learn about Jesus Christ while having fun!!"

In 2007, Bergen started support of new Missionaries through the ELCA. Pastor Dirk Stadtlander, wife Sarah, and daughters Eva and Ellen became missionaries for Bergen serving in Linguere Senegal West Africa. Bergen also continues support of Tim and Paula Tjernagel serving as missionaries in Spain.

A new granite cross, installed over the south entrance to the church, was dedicated on May 6, 2007. The original limestone cross had been damaged by lightning and had to be removed.

Also in 2007, the constitution was updated to the ELCA model - the by-laws remain specific to Bergen. The Archives Committee was also established in 2007 to preserve and record the historical events of the church.

In 2008, the board of trustees proposed a 5 phase project with the first phase to be started in the summer for restoration and repair of the pilasters.

Dedication of the ELW (Evangelical Lutheran Worship) cranberry book was held on March 1, 2009. Many Bergen members gave books in memory or honor of a loved one. The steps to the parking lot were replaced in September, 2009. Pastor Rachael submitted her resignation on May 1, 2009 and accepted a chaplaincy position at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. A Call Committee was formed to find a new pastor and Pastor Burton Everist served as Interim Pastor from October 1, 2009 until July 2010.

On August 8, 2010, Pastor Adam Starrett was ordained and installed at Bergen Lutheran Church.

The Bergen Congregation has truly been blessed as can be seen in its history.

"Psalm 100: vs 5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations". Quoted by Mrs. Lybeck, October, 2009 Church Timeline.

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