About

Grace Lutheran Church

Grace Lutheran Church Mission Statement: We, the baptized members of Grace Lutheran Church, do proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Therefore, we faithfully commit our lives to manifest Christ’s love to our families, our communities, our Church and God’s world, through our worship and prayer, teaching and preaching, and benevolent giving and service.

On January 14, 1887 there was a meeting held at the Presbyterian Church for the purpose of organizing a Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Hallock, Kittson County, Minnesota. That churches organizational name became "The Evangelical Lutheran Fridhem Congregation of Hallock, Minnesota. "Frid" means "God's peace" and "hem" is "home" so the name of the church was "the Home of God's Peace." Pastor S. G. Swenson was called as the pastor of the newly organized church with a salary of $75 a year.

On January 6, 1888 it was decided to build a church as soon as $1,000 could be gathered. The land it was to be built on was donated by The Railroad Company.

Pastor Laurence Peter Lundgren accepted a call as pastor and began his duties on July 2, 1892 which began a long and faithful service of 31 years.

In 1926 the name of the church was changed to the "Hallock Evangelical Lutheran Church". With the name change came many building improvements in 1928. The church was enlarged with a full basement, kitchen facilities, a lower auditorium, church floor covering, new pews, stained glass windows and wood flooring in the parlor. These improvements were dedicated on November 13, 1928.

In 1954 the church name was changed again to "Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church". In August of 1955 construction began on the church that stands on the corner of Birch Ave. and 4th Street today. During construction, worship services were held at the Hallock City Hall. The new building and organ were dedicated on October 10-13, 1957.

Today the church stands strong due to the labors of our forefathers. They have provided us with a church where we can worship, receive the Lord's supper, and hear the Word of Life. Here we bring our children for Holy Baptism, and Christian instruction, and from this place we offer our support to those who are missionaries in our midst.

Taken from "God's Grace Over 125 Years" 1887-2012

Red River Church

Red River Lutheran Mission Statement: We, baptized members of the Church of Christ, responding in faith to the call of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, desiring to unite together to preach the Word, administer the sacraments, and carry out God’s mission.

In the spring of 1879 Lars Mattson and Nels Hanson came to South Red River Township. Many of Swedish descent followed them after hearing of the rich fertile soil. The new settlers came from Swedish settlements where there existed organized congregations in which they had participated. They began to think of getting a congregation started as soon as possible. In 1881 Nils Sundberg wrote the call for Swedish Lutheran pastor J.O. Cavallin from Moorhead. Cavallin came in May of 1882 and was the first pastor to preach at the Red River settlement. Services were held at the homes of Lars Eklund and J.P. Strandell. These were the first Lutheran services held in Kittson County.

On October 8, 1882 a meeting was held in the township of Red River for the organization of a Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church and for the election of officers. Pastor J. Lagerstrom organized the Red River Lutheran Church. The congregations name became The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Red River Congregation of Kittson County MN. The congregation met in many locations from 1882-1885. A church was built on June 15, 1885 in Skane Township.

In 1927 the church was moved to its current location. Hard work and perseverance by the founding congregation and the next generations have brought this little country church to what it is today. It is believed that Red River Church is the oldest Protestant congregation in Kittson County.

Taken from "Red River Lutheran Church 125 Year Anniversary" 1881-2006

Pastor Megan Graves

Pastor Megan has served our parish since August 2021. She was ordained in August 2016 and served various congregations in Northeast Iowa before coming to Kittson County. Pastor Megan grew up in Montana. She completed her bachelor’s degree at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN and her masters of divinity at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA. Pastor Megan is married to Andy, who she met during a year of service with Lutheran Volunteer Corps in between college and seminary. He is also a pastor and serves at Sion Lutheran Church in Lancaster. Together they have three boys who keep them on their toes.