History Club

History of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
Presentation to the Annandale History Club
March 5, 2001
Verna Kyllonen

1870
Pioneers began to gather in homes and schoolhouses for Lutheran religious services, the faith which they brought with them from their homeland, Finland. Among early visiting pastors were Pastors William Williamson, J. K. Nikander, K. L. Tolonen, E. W. Hyypanen, Kaarlo Huotari and Heikki Sarvela.

1892
The Cokato, French Lake, Albion American Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized January 3 at Temperance Corner School. The charter members present at the meeting were: N. P. Nelson, Juho Anteroinen, Jaakko Kumara, Juho Leukuma, Matti Hyypio, Henrikki Tepsa, Aamos Keranen, Pietari Jurva, Kustaa Kleimola, Juho Jouppi, Herman Ohlgren, Matti Mattila, Kalle Juuti, Juho Lappi, Matti Maki, Johan Mattila, Kaarlo Nelson, Frans Nelson, Matti Lemminmaki, and Antti Ras. The Chairman of this meeting was Pastor Kaarlo Huotari, Suomi Synod Home Missions Pastor. 1892 visiting pastors were Tanner, Riippa, Alamaa, Nilson, etc.

1897
Over ten different pastors visited the congregation.

1900
Land for a cemetery was purchased.

1902
Decision made to build a church. Plans changed several years later when St. Ignatius Church building became available.

1907
St. Ignatius Catholic Church in French Lake Township was purchased on September 12 and moved to the present site of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church.

1909
The French Lake-Albion Township Ladies Aid was organized in the Isaac Juntunen home October 27, 1909. The first officers were Eugenia Heiskari, president; Emmi Juntunen, secretary; Christina Alamaa, treasurer.

1910
First community summer school sponsored by Ladies Aid; taught by Clemens Niemi from Suomi College. Pastor H. Sarvela (1910-1917).

1912
Congregation became affiliated with the Suomi Synod (headquartered in Hancock, Michigan) on March 3, 1912. A group of individuals from the Finnish National Lutheran Church (Kansalliskirkko) in French Lake joined the congregation on November 28, 1912.

1916
Worked with Suomi Synod Brainerd, Kettle River, Minnesota, Parish until 1916.

1917
Became member of a parish comprised of five Suomi Synod congregations ( Minneapolis, Owen, Wis., Almena, Wis., Kingston, French Lake). Pastor Niilo Saastamoinen was called as first resident pastor. A local parsonage was purchased and later sold. Alex Hanka was one of the pioneer Sunday school teachers.

1925
In the early 1920s when Pastor D. A. Samanen was pastor, a decision was made to build a new church. During construction, services and 1925 Confirmation were held at the Finnish National Church in French Lake. When the church interior was completed enough to use, the first speakers were Pastors Oravala and Malmivaara, Finnish evangelists touring churches in the U.S. in 1925.

1926
The present church building was dedicated on May 23 shortly after the arrival of Pastor A. O. Kuusisto. It was built by men of the congregation under the direction of Victor Huikko. Some lumber from first church (former St. Ignatius) was reused in building the new church.

1935
During Pastor Tamminen's 4-year ministry (1935-1939), the parish was divided leaving French Lake, Kingston (Redeemer) and Minneapolis (Morgan Avenue). The parsonage was at Minneapolis. Pastors who served this parish were Juntunen, Wargelin and Isaac.

1951
Parish reduced to two congregations, Kingston and French Lake. The two congregations jointly purchased a parsonage in Kingston. The French Lake Church became known as Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. Pastor Clair Jennings was called. The congregation began to have annual Bible conferences in the fall of the year.

1961
When the Suomi Synod merged with other Lutheran synods, Our Saviour's voted to become an Independent Lutheran Church.

1963
Kingston-French Lake affiliation was dissolved. Our Saviour's called its own pastor, Evangelist Arthur J. Johnson. Pastor Johnson served 35 years (1963-1998).

1964
Purchased a lot west of the church for a future parsonage (never built).

1965
Adopted new Constitution and By-Laws.

1966
New addition to the church was built including a new well, lavatories, mother's room and narthex.

1967
75th Anniversary Celebration. New carpeting in sanctuary and narthex.

1970
Purchased the French Lake School to use for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Sold the school property circa 1985 to Chris Lantto. (The school was later moved a short distance to the Floyd Nolan property).

1981
Lighted brick church sign was built.

1985
New furnace installed.

1987
95th Anniversary Celebration.

1992
Centennial Celebration.

2000
Pastor Arthur Johnson passed away on January 3, 2000. A flagpole and flag were dedicated in his memory in 2001.

Henry Sarvela	1910-1917
N. Saastamoinen	1917-1919
D. A. Samanen	1920-1925
A. O. Kuusisto	1925-1935
Carl Tamminen	1935-1939
Arne Juntunen	1939-1942
Dr. John Wargelin	1942-1947
Edward Isaac	1947-1951
Clair Jennings	1951-1953
Leslie Lurvey	1953-1957
Visiting Pastors	1957-1959
John Saarinen	1959-1962
Arthur Johnson	1963-1998 (35 years)
Forrest Swenson	1998-2001
Edward Groop	2001-present

Our Saviour's has been actively supporting the mission work of the John Abel family in Brazil for many years.

Note: Verna Kyllonen (1918-2008) served as Our Saviour's Lutheran Church organist for over 50 years, retiring in 2003 at age 85. Verna was honored at a combination retirement party and birthday party.