History

A BRIEF HISTORY

During the over 150 years of the congregation’s existence, many changes have taken place. The membership is comprised of descendants of the early founders and many people who have joined the church over the years are from other nationalities besides Norwegian. We are currently over 400 members. Lyster Lutheran Church is currently served by Pastor Michael Vetsch.

Between the years of 1850 and 1856, a number of families emigrated to America from the Lyster Parish in Sogn, Bergen Province, Norway (the name in Norway is now spelled with a “u” instead of a “y” – Luster. A few of these families came to Blue Mounds and Springdale in Dane County in southern Wisconsin, where several of them had relatives and friends.

They soon discovered, however, that the best land in that area was already occupied; and the land that was still available was offered at prices beyond their means. After some discussion, it was decided to send Ole Hanson Lerum on a tour of investigation. The journey, on foot, took him to many places in western Wisconsin, and even as far west as the prairies of Minnesota.

Hanson finally succeeded in buying a large piece of land in Buffalo County in the area now known as Norwegian Valley. When he returned to Springdale, there was a great deal of rejoicing; and the emigrants began preparation for the long journey to their new home.

Toward the end of May 1856, the caravan was ready to set out on a long and dangerous journey. There were 13 people in this group of sturdy pioneers. They were the following: Ole Hanson Lerum and family, Arne Otteson Sorheim and family, Jens J. Hovland and family, Erick Alme and Skak Ormson Hauge. The caravan consisted of four heavily loaded “covered wagons” and five yoke of oxen. They had a few cows, sheep and hogs, and the emigrants began preparations for the long journey to their new home.

They journeyed from Blue Mounds on the old military stage road to Prairie du Chien; crossed the Wisconsin River there; and then came up the Kickapoo River Valley to Coon Prairie. From there, they traveled northward to Sparta and Black River Falls. After leaving there, they got lost and went way up into Eau Claire Country before finally getting back once more on the right trail. At last, after a series of almost unbelievable adventures and difficulties, they arrived in their “promise land.” The journey from Blue Mounds to Norwegian Valley had taken five weeks. Today, by automobile, the distance can be covered in less than four hours.

On July 6, 1856, the first primitive log cabin was completed and ready for occupancy. For two years, these rugged pioneers were only white people living in the area. There were large numbers of Chippewa Indians around them, but they were friendly and did not present any serious problems. A great problem was the number of wolves and other wild animals that constantly threatened their livestock.

Finally, in 1858, other families began to arrive. The stream of emigrants continued for a number of years; and thus, the settlement experienced a rapid numerical growth. Day after day, the ax could be heard “singing” up the bluffs as the trees were being felled, and one log cabin after the other sprang up in the wilderness.

The struggles, the hardships, and the privations of those early years were many, and it was not always easy to face the future. But if these valiant blazers of the emigrant trail were poor in earthly possessions, they had something that was far more precious: They were abundantly blessed with willing hands and courageous hearts.

In a few brief years, the wilderness wastes were transformed into fruitful and well-tended farms. Some tremendous changes have taken place. The oxen and the emigrant wagons have disappeared, and the draft horse has been replaced by power machinery. The trials and tribulations of these men and women are now only a memory, dimming with the passing years. The pioneers are resting in “God’s Acre”, but each succeeding generation has shown its gratitude to God by lifting high the banner of hope as they moved bravely on to meet the problems of each challenging tomorrow.

We have noted that the early pioneers had very little of this world’s goods, but they did possess a wealth that was greater than all the gold at Fort Knox. In their iron-bound emigrant chests, they had a well-worn Bible, a book of family devotions, and possibly a copy of Guldberg’s Hymn Book, all in the Norwegian language, but above all, they had a firm faith in the God they had first learned to know at their mother’s knee. These were their priceless possessions.

The message of salvation through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ-this was a spiritual heritage, which they desired to pass onto their chidden. As a result, congregations were organized where the Norse pioneers established their settlements. All over the great Northwest churches were built. Their lofty spires pointing toward Heaven, and on the Sabbath morning, hundreds of church bells would be heard calling the old and the young to gather about the life-giving Word of God and the blessed sacraments.

But several years had passed before there was any church activity in the Lyster Colony. The nearest Norwegian Lutheran pastors were miles away and traveling presented quite a problem, because roads were few and far between.

Finally, in May 1866, a congregation was organized, and a constitution was adopted in October of that year. The first officers elected were the following: Trustees, Ole Hanson, Jens Severson, and Thomas Thompson; Secretary/Treasurer, Erik Alme.

It did not take long to decide on a name. A few of the early settlers had come from Gudbrandsdalen and some of them had emigrated from Valdres, but the vast majority had come from the Lyster (Luster) Parish on the shores of the beautiful Songnefjord, so it was a natural that the congregation should be called “Lyster Lutheran Church.” It might be of interest to add that in the earliest records the name is considerably longer. It reads: “Lyster Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation by Little Bear Creek.”

During the first 20 years of its existence, Lyster was a member of the Norwegian Synod a church body which dated back to the year 1853, but in the 1880s, a great controversary arose over doctrinal questions and local congregations all over the Northwest were split into two rival fractions. Lyster was no exception to this tragic state of affairs, so it came about that from 1885-1917, there were two congregations and two pastors in the Lyster Settlement. Both churches continued to use the name “Lyster.” The majority group joined the United Norwegian Lutheran Church. The minority retained its membership in the Norwegian Synod.

However, in the year 1917, the Norwegian Synod and the United Church, together with a third group known as Hauge’s Synod, merged in an historic convention held in the St. Paul City Auditorium, forming the Norwegian Lutheran Chruch in America. In the year 1946, the word “Norwegian” was dropped, and the church body adopted the name Evangelical Lutheran Church. Then, in 1960, another important three-way merger took place in Minneapolis, when the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the United Evangelical Luther Church (Danish) and the American Lutheran Church (German) were merged to form 2,200,000-member body known as the “The American Chruch.” In 1987, it was changed to “The Evangelical Lutheran Chruch in America” and remains the same today.

Lyster Lutheran Church was built in 1867. The present chancel was added in 1883. The sacristy was built in 1901. A dining hall was built directly across from the church in 1902. The minority group built a church of their own in the late 1880s at the east end of the Upper Cemetery.

After the merger of the three Norwegian Synods in 1917, the two Lyster congregations were reunited, and the old differences were soon forgotten. The Synod Church and also the Synod Dining Hall were moved to a location across from the original church. The two dining halls were reconstructed into one building, and the Synod Church was used as a chapel for the Ladies Aid and the Luther League meetings. On January 6, 1947, both the chapel and the dining hall were destroyed by a fire. A new Parish Hall was built the same year and a basement was added in 1956. The basement was partitioned into smaller-sized rooms in 1968 for Sunday School classes.

In 1910, a number of Lyster families living east of the “Erickson Bluff” decided to organize a separate congregation and build a church of their own because of the long distances to travel with horses. This congregation remained a part of Lyster until they voted to separate in 1980.

Through the years, improvements have been made to the buildings to preserve them and make them more inviting for the faithful who come to worship their Lord and Creator.

The stained-glass windows in the main church were put in during the early part of the1900s. In 1946, the fiber board was put on the walls in the church and the stained-glass windows by the alter.

The oil furnace was installed in the church in 1956.

In 1969, the kitchen was remodeled when double sinks were put in the middle of the room and new stoves were purchased.

In 1971, a new organ was purchased for the church. Carpeting was installed in 1972. In 1976, a large addition was put on the front of the church, which included restrooms (cost $20,562.00). In 1978, maintenance-free siding was put on the hall and the church.

In 1982, the church office was established in the sacristy and the bulk mailing of the monthly newsletter began.

The picnic shelter was built in 1983 in memory of Ingwald Paulson’s parents.

Complete renovation of pulpit and lectern, painting of the inside of the church and new lights were installed in 1985.

Remodeling of the Parish Hall in 1989 included a new ceiling in the main hall, ceiling fans, and painted walls plus stenciling.

The sign in front of the church was given in memory of Marvin Mork in 1986.

On September 15, 1991, the 125th anniversary of the congregation was held with Norwegian services and customs used from past years. A large group picture taken following worship.

In 1992, dedication of the time capsule was on April 26. Saturday evening worship services began in September.

Remodeling of the basement started in 1992 when ceiling fans were installed, painted walls, and wainscoting.

In 1994, a chain fence was put around the upper cemetery like the one on the lower cemetery.

In 1995, a piano keyboard was purchased for the Parish Hall. The parsonage and church were shingled and a well drilled at the parsonage.

In 1996, the walls inside the church were painted and new carpet installed.

The parsonage received new siding and windows in 1998.

The Parish Hall kitchen received a facelift in 1998 when new flooring was installed, walls painted, wall border put on, and new hand sink and vanity.

In 1999, a new lighted cross was made for the outside front of the church to replace the old one.

In 2000, a gazebo was placed by the church in memory of Tony Myren for the cemetery maps that were compiled in memory of Roy Synstad.

In 2003, a major renovation was undertaken at the Parish Hall adding restrooms as well as an entryway, library, and storage space upstairs, and another smaller kitchen, additional seating space, and storage space in the basement. A loan was taken out for this renovation in 2003 and paid off in 2005.

In 2015, installation of a commercial dishwasher in the Parish Hall was completed.

In the summer of 2016, the Round House underwent restoration with new flooring and staining of the cabinets. This was done by Ryan Mikelson, great grandson of Adolph Brommer, who originally built the Round House.

Also, during the summer of 2016, the chained-link fence around both cemeteries was painted by Ryan Mikelson along with members of the Cheerful Workers 4-H Club.

In the summer of 2016, a new church directional sign was placed at the end of County Road D just outside of Nelson.

Cheerful Workers 4-H Club made and donated a barn quilt in 2016 to Lyster in thankful appreciation for the use of the Parish Hall for their monthly 4-H meetings. Cheerful Workers also placed “A Little Library” in front of the Parish Hall in recent years as a place where the community could place books for others to read or take a book to read themselves.

During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2022, as did many congregations through the country, Lyster Lutheran Church was closed. The congregation remained resilient by mailing sermons to those homebound, enhancing the website for uploading Pastor Mike’s sermons, Facebook communications, and outside worship service. In the fall of 2021, Lyster Lutheran Church resumed worshiping within the church once again.

In the summer of 2022, the groundwork for a playground was placed on the east side of the Round House. Pea gravel and fencing were placed. This was a project undertaken by Isaac Mikelson as part of his Eagle Scout project.

THE PASTORS

The Lyster congregation has been served by a total of 25 different pastors. Sixteen of these were regularly called men; the others have served in a temporary capacity.

Pastor Peter M. Brodahl was the first to visit the young Lyster settlement in 1862 and again in 1863. During the darkest days of the war between the states, he traveled all the way from Dane County to conduct services at the Ole Hanson home in Norwegian Valley and to perform a number of long delayed ministerial acts. Born in Norway in 1823, he was ordained in 1856. During a twelve-year period, he served a total of 21 congregations scattered over a wide area in southern Wisconsin. He returned to Norway in 1868, where he continued to serve as a pastor, until his death in Trondheim in 1909.

Pastor Nils E. S. Jenson was born in Bergen, Norway, in 1842, and was ordained in 1859. He served as pastor at Houston and Winona, Minnesota, from 1859 to 1873. It was while he was serving there that he made two visits to the Lyster community on May 10, and again on November 8 in 1964. He died in 1874.

Pastor Ole J. K. Hagestad was born in Hardanger, Norway, in 1838. He was ordained in 1863. He served the Rush River Parish north of Ellsworth in Pierce County from 1863 to 1876. In 1865, he conducted two services at Lyster on December 1 and 2. He passed away in 1881.

Pastor Knut Thorstensen was the first permanent pastor. He was born in Telemark, Norway, in 1839. He was ordained in 1866 and served congregations in Dunn, Buffalo, and Chippewa counties (including Lyster) from 1866 to 1873. Living in Menomonie, he conducted services at Lyster every fifth Sunday. In 1874, he moved to Hanley Falls, Minnesota, where he served as pastor for 20 years. He retired in 1894 and passed away in the year 1914.

Pastor Fredrik A. Moller was the first resident pastor. He was born at Vanse near Flekkefjord, Norway, in 1845. He graducted from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He was ordained in 1873 on a call from Lyster. It was during his pastorate that the congregation was divided. He continued to serve the minority group until 1916 together with the Thompson Valley, Naples, and Lookout congregations. He passed away in 1918 and is buried in the Upper Cemetery.

Pastor Ole O. Daehlen was born in Norway in 1840 and was ordained in 1872. He was pastor at Eleva from 1884 to 1888. While at Eleva, he conducted services at Lyster several times in 1885. It is believed that he died in West Virginia, but the year of his passing is not known.

Pastor Peer O. Stromme was the first resident pastor of the majority group at Lyster. He was born at Winchester, Wisconsin in 1856. He was ordained in 1879. He was pastor at Lyster from 1886 to 1887. He left the ministry to spend the rest of his life as a journalist, world traveler, and author. He wrote a number of books, translated many others. He passed way in 1921. Perhaps, his most enduring contribution to the life of the church was his translation of Bishop Laaceh’s Book of Family Prayer.

Pastor Halvor C. Wik was born in Arendal, Norway, in 1844 and was ordained in the Lyster Church in 1887. He served as pastor at Lyster for twelve years, moving to Canada in 1899. His last parish was at Nordan, near Mondovi. He passed away in 1936 at the age of 91 years. His son, Ole E. Wik will long be remembered as an outstanding lay preacher and church leader in the Mondovi Conference area. He passed in our Centennial year in 1966.

Pastor Mons O. Waldal served in temporary capacity from 1899 to 1900. He was born in Norddalen, Norway, in 1858 and was ordained in 1890. He was pastor at Meridean, Wisconsin from 1897 to 1909. The last sixteen years of his ministry he spent in Saskatchewan, Canada. For seven of those years, he served as Home Mission Superintendent in the Canada District. Pastor Waldal died in 1925.

Pastor Ole L. Kirkeberg served the Lyster Parish for six years from 1900 to 1906. Born in Valdres, Norway, in 1849, he was ordained in 1874 as a pastor in the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church. On accepting a call to Lyster, he joined the United Norwegian Lutheran Church. Pastor Kirkeberg was a very gifted man and prolific author. He had a wide experience as pastor and schoolman in Europe and in this country. He died at Park River, North Dakota in 1925.

After Pastor Kirkeberg left Lyster, the parish was served temporarily by a former pastor, H. C. Wik from 1906 to 1907. He was at that time serving the East Bennett Valley congregation near Mondovi.

Pastor Nils Lunde served at Lyster from 1907 to 1912. It was during his pastorate that the Modena congregation was organized, and their church erected. Born near Stavanger, Norway in 1857, he was ordained in 1889. After he left Lyster, he was pastor at Wittenberg, later superintendent of the Homme Home for the Aged there. He died in St. Paul in 1931. Pastor Lunde was vitally interested in prison work. He was the author of many books and tracts, including an explanation of Lutheran’s Small Catechism.

Pastor Christian Havig-Gjelseth was pastor at Lyster from 1912 to 1914. He was born in Norway in 1878 and was ordained in the Evangelical Free Church in 1906. When he accepted the call to Lyster, he joined the Lutheran church. After several years as a teacher and mission worker in Chicago, he returned to Norway in 1921, continuing in Bible School work. He died in Oslo in the late 1950s.

Pastor John F. Swenson was called to Lyster in 1914 and severed until 1925. It was during his pastorate that the two Lyster churches were reunited. He was born in 1864 at Vadso in northern Norway, near the Russian border. He was ordained in 1891 and served parishes in four different states before coming to Lyster. His last parish was at Amherst Junction, Wisconsin. He served there until 1940. He passed away in Northfield in 1951 and is buried at Lyster.

Pastor Henry D. Halvorson was born in Yankton, South Dakota in 1875, and was ordained in 1908. He was pastor at Lyster from 1925 to 1937. He later served a five-point parish at Limon, Colorado. He passed away in Fort Collins, Colorado in the year 1960.

Pastor Louis Hagen served the Lyster-Modena Parish from 1937 to the end of the year 1947. He was born at Radcliffe, Iowa in 1884 and was ordained in 1920. He came to Lyster from Hazen, North Dakota.

Pastor A. R. Sellevold served Lyster temporarily for a few months early in 1948 while pastor of Central Lutheran at Mondovi. He was born in Lincoln County, South Dakota in 1918. He was ordained in 1945.

Pastor Joseph C. Thompson came to Lyster in September 1948 and served the parish for 25 years. He was installed by an old friend, Pastor Authur Swenson, who was confirmed in the Lyster congregation. He was born at Iron River, Wisconsin in 1899. Pastor Thompson lost his mother in infancy and was reared by his grandparents at Woodville in St. Croix County. He was ordained in 1924. He served a parish at Borup, Minnesota until 1929. He was pastor at Grand Meadow, Minnesota for a period of 19 years from 1929 to 1948. From 1942 to 1948, he also served the Zion Church at Stewartville, Minnesota. In 1922, he married Elisa C. Froiland in Westby, Wisconsin. She passed away on April 28, 1962, and is buried at the Bear Creek Cemetery near Grand Meadow. On June 16, 1963, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Alexandra F. Larson of Minneapolis. She was the daughter of his boyhood pastor, the late Dr. L. Fylling Hammer. In June 1961, Pastor Thompson received the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology conferred on him by Burton Theological Seminary in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Pastor Joseph C. Thompson retried in 1973 and moved to Minneapolis where he spent his remaining days. He passed away on February 6, 1989, and was buried on February 9 at the Bear Creek Cemetery near Grand Meadow.

Pastor Lyle Ness came to Lyster in 1973 and served until leaving in September of 1981. He was a native of the area with many ties to the Lyster community. Pastor Ness served a congregation in Ettrick, Wisconsin, until his retirement. He passed away on July 22, 2015, and is buried at Riverside Lutheran Cemetery in Mondovi, Wisconsin.

Pastor Irvin Flaten served as interim pastor from September of 1981 until June 1982. Pastor Flaten returned to Lyster in the 2000s to cover Pastor Michael Vetsch’s sabbatical. Pastor Flaten passed away March 7, 2013, and is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Colfax, Wisconsin.

Pastor Terry Nordheim was installed as the twentieth pastor of Lyster on June 27, 1982. He served at Lyster for three years until August of 1985. Pastor Nordheim served parishes in Michigan and Minnesota retiring in 2021 from Trinity Lutheran Church in Lindstrom, Minnesota.

Pastor Jeffrey Nelson served from September of 1985 until October of 1987. He went to Janesville, Wisconsin and now resides in California.

Pastor Robert Barker was installed on May 15, 1988. He married Julie Liepold on November 5, 1988, at Lyster. He left Lyster in August of 1993.

Denise Blake served Lyster as an interim from November of 1987 until May 8, 1988, while she was teaching in Durand. She is now continuing her studies in Tennessee.

Pastor J. David Whelan was our interim from August 22, 1993, through October 24, 1993. Pastor Whelan graduated from Luther Seminary in 1995 and served at Peace in Menomonie. He is now retired and lives in Mondovi, Wisconsin, with his wife, Amy.

Pastor Michael Vetsch came to Lyster in October of 1993 and continues to serve as pastor at Lyster. Lyster was Pastor Vetsch’s first parish. He was raised in Minneapolis with his two brothers and two sisters. On September 16, 2000, Pastor Lynne Rigg from Sabylund Lutheran Church married Pastor Vetsch and Angie McIntosh at Lyster. They have one daughter, Sarah.

SPECIAL NOTES

In 2003, the crucifixion picture was found rolled up behind the alter. Dan Baader restored the painting for Lyster, framing it as well, and it now hangs in the church. The cost for the renovation of the painting was $800.00. The painting was done by Ms. Sara Kirkeberg Raugland of Norwegian heritage. Through her career, she painted somewhere between 200 and 300 alter paintings from the 1880s to 1918. She did her paintings mostly for churches in the Midwest. It is unknown when Lyster bought the painting from Ms. Raugland, but the painting that Lyster has is found in her catalog of work. Sara was born in Elgin, Iowa on a farm in 1862. In 1885 or 1856, she moved to Minneapolis to study art. She was one of a handful of women who did paintings at that time in history, which was very rare. Sara closed her studio in 1918 when her husband died but continued with smaller paintings. She died in 1960 at age 98 (information from Vesterheim and Ashwaubenen Historical Society).

In 2016, Dennis Baader restored the old baptismal font seen on the picture of the interior of Lyster Lutheran Church in 1866. The old baptismal font was found in the Bell Tower of Lyster Lutheran Church. The baptismal font has now been used for baptisms.

Lyster Lutheran Church’s bell was made by the Meneely Bell Foundry located in West Troy, New York. The company was formed in 1826. The date on our bell is 1887.

The Blaker Spoon was placed at Lyster Lutheran Church in memory of longtime member, Hans Blaker, who died in 2004. The cast sterling silver spoon was given in memory of Hans from his family in Norway and in the United States. Hans was a carpenter and blacksmith until he retired in 1969. Hans left his family in Norway in 1929 to come to the United States. It was Hans’ desire to design a special silver spoon with traditional Norwegian carving. The spoon Lyster has is number 47 and one of the first 100 reproduced in 2005 from Hans’ original design.

Ole Hanson Lerum was the founder of Lyster settlement which had its cradle in the Norwegian Valley. Born in 1818, he was 38 years old when he made the long journey on foot from Blue Mounds to Buffalo County. He exerted a tremendous influence on the life in the pioneer community. He died in 1907 at the age of 89 years. The piece of land which he purchased on that memorable trek into “the unknown” has been in the hands of the family for 110 years. It was occupied by a grandson, Sidney Hanson, and wife Hattie (Johnson) Hanson, both members of Lyster Lutheran Church, who have both since passed away.

Ole Myren is another pioneer to remember. He was a carpenter, cabinet maker, and wood carver of unusual ability. It is also reported that he was quite an expert at pulling teeth and setting broken bones. The beautiful wood carvings in the alter and on the pulpit in the Lyster Church are the work of his skilled hands as well as the intricate crown of carving that hangs from the ceiling above the chancel steps. All this has given the interior of church a beauty that is fascinated by many of his exquisite workmanship. Mr. Myren passed away in the year 1908 at the age of 77 years. Ole Myren was the grandfather of Harold Myren who was the father of Helmer Myren. Helmer’s son, Cyril, and wife, Janice, and their family are active members at Lyster as well as Cyril’s sister, Kathleen Myren.

Dale Kirke, Luster, Sogn, The Dale Church was built in 1200 and has celebrated its 800th anniversary. Inside the medieval stone church is a Gothic style pulpit from about 1600. The alter piece is from 1708. The cemetery is located down the street from the church.

The Dale Church at Luster, Norway, is located in the beautiful valley formed by the Lusterfjord, a body of water which branches off from the Sognefjord. The stone church is 800 years old and some of the interior equipment is said to be at over 150 years older still. Many of the immigrants who settled in our area between 1856 and 1890 were baptized and confirmed in this church.

THE CHURCH RECORDS

There are no records of the ministerial acts performed by Pastor P. M. Brodahl when he visited the Lyster pironeers back in 1862 and 1863.

The first reords show that sixteen children were baptized by Pastor N. E. S. Jensen on May 10, 1864. Amonth these were Kristine Nelson. Two o fher childen were members in Lyster: Mrs. Tom A. Thompson and Chrsit B. Ness.

On November 8, 1864, class of two boys and two girls were confirmed by Pastor Jensen. In December 1865, thirteen children were baptized by Pastor O. J. K. Hagestad. Listed among these we find the name of Emmaus Larson. His son, Charles Larson, who was a lifelong member of Lyster, was the father of Myrna Johnson, who still is an active member of Lyster.

Contributors to the above history: Lee Grippen (1982 History Booklet), Deanna Pavelka (2001 History Booklet), Dale and Myrna Johnson, and Janice Amdahl.