OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH

County Rd. #18 east to

Soderville Dr., North to Swedish

Approx. 1 ½ mi –church and cemetery are

on dirt road.

Burials

Anoka County Union…June 25, 1976

Bi-Centennial Issue

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Serves For 104 Years

Our Saviour’s Lutheran church at Soderville moved into its new $180,000 church complex Thanksgiving Day, 1964, almost 93 years after the founding of the church by Rev. J. A. Ausland in the spring of 1872.

Charter members were Jonas Edsberg, Ole Peterson, Johan Magnuson, Nels Monson, Nels Peterson, Andrew Peterson, Carl P. Peterson and Peter Johnson and their families.

Shortly after the date of organization the congregation built a church. Per August Gustafson assumed the responsibility for much of the construction, also built the first pulpit and alter, the steeple and other items.

The early days of the parish were difficult ones. Pastors were few and could not devote all of their time to one community. Laymen necessarily carried on much of the work of the church, especially in the teaching ministry.  The church school was organized in 1882. This period also marks the erection of the first parsonage and Luther hall.

For several years the congregation was served by a resident pastor who also served Redeemer Lutheran church in Fridley. In recent years the congregation has shown a considerable growth and during the ministry of Rev. Ralph R. Van Loon, 1954-57, began to think about a new church.

Rev. Joseph William Ottoson served the parish from 1958-61 and during his ministry a funding appeal was started in 1961 for a three year period.

Rev. Leroy E. Pillman arrived in Soderville Jan. 31, 1962. The following winter a building committee was appointed, an architect hired and work was begun on planning for the new church. Construction began May 1, 1964 and the church was formally dedicated Dec. 13, 1964. The church is located on Anoka County Road 22, east of Highway 65 and two miles north of Soderville.

In June 1971, Our Saviour’s congregation observed Founders’ Day by going “home” to worship in the original church built in about 1874 which has been preserved as a landmark for the area.  Each year the congregation pays its respects to the past by observing Founder’s day and retuning for one Sunday’s services in the historic church building.

In May and June, 1972 the congregation of Our Saviour’s of Soderville celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the founding of that church.  One of the highlights was the Founders’ Day services which were again held in the “simple, stark sanctuary of about 100 years of age.”  Because the original church structures located on a secluded dirt road in the midst of many trees, and because of the perfect setting and congregational sentiment the church building has been kept in good repair.  It is one of the oldest church buildings in the seven county metropolitan area, and the congregation’s cemetery surrounds the little white frame church.