by Roger Megard
130 years represents the years Highland Lutheran church has been a congregation. 100 years represents the number of years the present building has stood. One week represents the age of the new steel coated singles that cover the roof.
Nearly 150 years ago a congregation was formed. Farmers that lived in the area were mostly Norwegian and mostly Lutheran. Because there were no churches, services were held in homes and also school houses. Then like now, there was controversy. The subject was predestination. Some left the newly organized church and joined the Missouri Synod.
In 1893 two Lutheran area congregations became one. They were known as Highland Norwegian Evangelical Congregation with 116 souls. The church that joined was the Landstad Congregation.
Some of the early days’ traditions were that men sat on one side and women and children on the other side during the worship service. Women finally got voting rights in 1962. Half of the service was in Norwegian and half in English. Eventually the service was all in English. New, younger pastors could only understand English so that was an obvious decision.
In those early years, worship services were only every other Sunday. Part of the reason was transportation (getting to the church), but also included heating in the winter and sharing the Pastor with other parishes. Sunday School was also only every other Sunday. In the summer, Bible School ran for 6-8 weeks. Much like country schools that were very close to each other, churches were as well. In Highland township 5 churches have been built, only Highland stands. Three churches burned after being struck by lightning.
However, the first Highland Church burned after a mentally disturbed man went in the church and started a fire to get warm. The man worked for area farmers. He was seen throwing snowballs at the church trying to put the fire out. The burned church cost $1800 to build.
Two acres of land were purchased from Mr. and Mrs. David Anderson which would be ample room for a new church, parking lot and cemetery. Of course, there was a horse barn. Pictures indicate that there were many Model A's and Model T's a little later.
One picture that we have was taken at a funeral. Every person wore black and the ladies wore black dresses, black hats with black veils.
The present church was completed in 1923. Because there was no water available at this time at the church, water had to be hauled from home. That got to be quite a task when they had lutefisk and lefse dinners. Later, soup suppers replaced the lutefisk suppers because of less help to prepare and serve.
Highland Congregation has been in partnership with Jasper Lutheran and Bethania. The three churches shared a pastor. Later, Highland and First Lutheran of Sherman as well as St. Paul shared a pastor. St. Paul closed shortly after joining the 3-point parish.
The present combination (meaning we have the same pastor but each operate independently) are Jasper Lutheran, Sherman and Highland.
None of the organizations within Highland Church function any more. The Ladies Aid met in homes in the early days. A full dinner was served by the hostess for 10 cents per person. Besides Bible Study, they would sew shirts, overalls, dresses, aprons and quilts to sell. Their first bazaar was held in the granary at the Ingebrit Megard home. The Luther League purchased a piano for the church. They maintained or shared the expenses of mowing the cemetery and sharing the expenses for the Christmas Tree program. The Brotherhood was active with Jasper and Bethania men. Many activities were carried out.
Highland Lutheran also had a senior and junior choir. The junior choir was started in 1957 with the idea it would help with the over-all singing in the church.
A special service will be held at 10:30 a.m. this Sunday, June 11, to recognize these important dates in Highland Church history. Everyone is invited to the service and the pork loin dinner that follows.
