While visiting the “keeper” of the family souvenirs and ashes, a booklet for a long-past church function worked its way up the stack of papers and photos. The Gran Lutheran Church Centennial was celebrating its 100 years in Mayville, North Dakota.
Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set. Proverbs 22:28
Within the booklet was the Lindaas Girls 4-H Club History, as well as a history of contributions by church members, in Norwegian. The history of the church began with the first settlers to arrive in the Gran community by oxen-driven wagons from Kilbourne, Wisconsin in 1871. It lists births, marriages, and deaths, including my in-laws’ wedding in 1933.
Country Church: A little white church where country folks, Come to meet and pray, Where old ones seek, with heads bowed down, God’s comfort in the Way.
The “old-fashioned “Ladies Aid” menu for the June 14, 1973 celebration included:
Rullepolse sandwiches, head cheese, dried beef, cheese sandwiches, flat bread, lefsa, sweet soup, rommegrot, assorted jello salads, cookies, fattigman, sandbakelse, spritz, berlinger kranser, goro, rosettes, strul, coffee and punch. All of this for Adults 1.00; children .50
It is hard to absorb the changes in communities, churches, celebration observances, and costs. Very few celebrations of past moments are this precious or celebrated.
