HISTORY OF THE GRANUM LUTHERAN CHURCH
Early records of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of Granum prior to 1926 have been lost. There was an organized congregation and Ladies Aid in about the 1910-11. The congregation was called the Trinity Lutheran Church. As there was no church building services were held in various homes and schools. Some of the early pastors were – Reverend J. R. Lavik, 1910-11, Reverend Corneliusen, 1912-14, ad Reverend Fatland during the war years. These pastors lived in Claresholm, serving the Nidaros Church, Claresholm, and Trinity at Granum. There were visiteing pastors who held services during vacancies until about 1926 when the Granum congregation reorganized with the name of Granum Lutheran Church. Reverend A.B. Hanson of Enchant held services at Enchant, Bowville, Claresholm, and Granum during 1925-26. Reverend Hermanson, resident pastor atClaresholm, 1927-29, held service every two weeks at Granum: these services were held at Rocky Coulee and Balquhidder Schools. Reverend N.R. Brna was pastor from 1930-33. As times were hard, having a resident pastor at Claresholm ended for a few years. Reverend Larsen of Enchant held services at Granum and Claresholm. The Ladies Aid was again called on to help with church finances. Reverend Ristesund arrived in 1934. Through his efforts in 1935 a church building was planned. A total of $700 was raised, part of which was a bequest from the Mrs. H. Elleson estate. A church was built five miles east and two miles North of Granum All work was done by local members.
The following were pastors from 1936-77: Reverend Solheim (1936-1937), Reverend I. Saugin (1938-1940), Revend R. Olson (1941-1945), Reverend H. Haugen (1946-1951), Reverend A Tviet (1952-1957), Reverend L. Knutson (1957-1953), Reverend C. Nydahl (1963-1965), Reverend R. Hanson (1965-1969) Reverend J. Neuman (1969-1971), Reverend R. Hanson (1971).
Reverend Saugen of Calgary served Calgary, Claresholm, and Granum. During Reverend R. Olson’s time here the W. Drollinger house southwest of Claresholm was purchased jointly by Granum and Claresholm and was moved into Claresholm to be used as a parsonage. Otto Henker’s equipment was rented, and members of the two congregations did all the work, with three tractors supplying the power to move. During the Reverend Knutson’s term of service a decision to move the church building into Granum was made. During 1967 an addition was made to the church in Granum. All work and cost was donated and done by the local members. Reverend R. Hanson returned late in 1971. Other more recent pastors include Gary Jensen, Carl Johnson, Elmer Rawling, Mike Wellenshug, Garnet Leach and Jane Mitchell.
In 1977 the old part of the church was repaneled, the floor was carpeted, a kitchen with cupboards was put in, and a hot water tank and sinks were installed. The membership is not large, but support and enthusiasm is good so the work of the originators and builders of the Granum Lutheran Church still carries on.
Leavings by Trail Granum by Rail
Early records of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of Granum prior to 1926 have been lost. There was an organized congregation and Ladies Aid in about the 1910-11. The congregation was called the Trinity Lutheran Church. As there was no church building services were held in various homes and schools. Some of the early pastors were – Reverend J. R. Lavik, 1910-11, Reverend Corneliusen, 1912-14, ad Reverend Fatland during the war years. These pastors lived in Claresholm, serving the Nidaros Church, Claresholm, and Trinity at Granum. There were visiteing pastors who held services during vacancies until about 1926 when the Granum congregation reorganized with the name of Granum Lutheran Church. Reverend A.B. Hanson of Enchant held services at Enchant, Bowville, Claresholm, and Granum during 1925-26. Reverend Hermanson, resident pastor atClaresholm, 1927-29, held service every two weeks at Granum: these services were held at Rocky Coulee and Balquhidder Schools. Reverend N.R. Brna was pastor from 1930-33. As times were hard, having a resident pastor at Claresholm ended for a few years. Reverend Larsen of Enchant held services at Granum and Claresholm. The Ladies Aid was again called on to help with church finances. Reverend Ristesund arrived in 1934. Through his efforts in 1935 a church building was planned. A total of $700 was raised, part of which was a bequest from the Mrs. H. Elleson estate. A church was built five miles east and two miles North of Granum All work was done by local members.
The following were pastors from 1936-77: Reverend Solheim (1936-1937), Reverend I. Saugin (1938-1940), Revend R. Olson (1941-1945), Reverend H. Haugen (1946-1951), Reverend A Tviet (1952-1957), Reverend L. Knutson (1957-1953), Reverend C. Nydahl (1963-1965), Reverend R. Hanson (1965-1969) Reverend J. Neuman (1969-1971), Reverend R. Hanson (1971).
Reverend Saugen of Calgary served Calgary, Claresholm, and Granum. During Reverend R. Olson’s time here the W. Drollinger house southwest of Claresholm was purchased jointly by Granum and Claresholm and was moved into Claresholm to be used as a parsonage. Otto Henker’s equipment was rented, and members of the two congregations did all the work, with three tractors supplying the power to move. During the Reverend Knutson’s term of service a decision to move the church building into Granum was made. During 1967 an addition was made to the church in Granum. All work and cost was donated and done by the local members. Reverend R. Hanson returned late in 1971. Other more recent pastors include Gary Jensen, Carl Johnson, Elmer Rawling, Mike Wellenshug, Garnet Leach and Jane Mitchell.
In 1977 the old part of the church was repaneled, the floor was carpeted, a kitchen with cupboards was put in, and a hot water tank and sinks were installed. The membership is not large, but support and enthusiasm is good so the work of the originators and builders of the Granum Lutheran Church still carries on.
Leavings by Trail Granum by Rail