PART ONE

The history of the pioneer churches in America is the story of people who hungered for the Word of God, who sensed the importance of a church home, and who desired to preserve the Christian heritage for their children. Likewise, the founding of Faith Lutheran congregation in the twentieth century was realized by people with the same feelings and convictions, together with the help of a church body that was alert to home mission possibilities.

There were essentially two groups Lutheran unchurched families, and the other, the Union church people who were without a pastor, and were evidently eager to lay hold of the gracious offer of an established church to initiate, stabilize, and foster a congregation. How these groups got together, how they have sought to foster a growing Christian fellowship, and how they have progressed under God's guidance, is the content of our story.

Back in the spring of 1934 Pastor A. Leonard Smith of Stanton, Iowa, and a member of his congregation were speaking of things spiritual. While discussing the work of the church, the pastor asked for the address of a certain man for whom he was looking. He was told he lived on Swede Street. This statement led to a discussion of the number of Lutherans in the community of Griswold who were without a church.

This little contact between men interested in trying to extend the Kingdom developed from the fact that in or near Griswold there were a large number of people of Lutheran conviction who were unchurched. Investigation showed that many years ago we had a small country church in the locality known as Rensborg. It seems from the best available records that January 11, , 1881, marks the beginning of this first Lutheran congregation some five miles southeast of Griswold. On this date Pastor J.E. Rehnstrom of Red Oak organized the Rensborg congregation at what is now known as District No. 8 schoolhouse on Swede Street. Services were held there for a period of over forty years. Pastors were shared with the Bethlehem Lutheran congregation of Red Oak most of the time. Pastor G.A. Gustafson was pastor when the congregation was dissolved November 5, 1922. At this time the remaining members transferred their memberships to Stanton, Tabor, and Red Oak.

However, living at a distance from any one of these churches it seems that during the years from 1922 to 1934 they, to a great extent, gradually came to be a people without a church home. Seeing the condition and accepting the challenge, Pastor Smith made arrangements to hold services on Sunday afternoons at Lowman chapel on the county line. These services were well attended, especially by several families with Lutheran background who had children of confirmation age.

In the fall of the year 1934, the district president, Pastor Walter Peterson of Red Oak, became interested in the field and he together with Smith and other pastors of the enthusiasm grew, and finally the district took turns in supplying the pulpit. The services of a student intern from Augustana Theological Seminary were secured. Mr. Milton Berg came to the field in the spring of 1935 and stayed until June 1. At this time the wisdom of holding services in the town of Griswold rather than five miles out in the country was seen. Among those from Griswold attending the services in the country were Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Putnam of the Union church. At their suggestion the invitation to hold services in the Union church was accepted. During that spring Mr. Berg made a religious survey of Griswold and community and conducted the Sunday services. The work was continued that summer by student pastor Lloyd Holt. The Union church people were also interested in the Lutheran Church services. The town proved very receptive to the work of the Lutheran Church.

The enthusiasm of the Southwestern District over their new home mission venture spread with contagion at the meeting of the Iowa Conference in April 1935. With deep feeling it was decided that the conference instruct its executive committee to employ a field missionary. A call extended to the Reverend Sigfrid E. Engstrom, pastor at St. Louis, Missouri, was accepted and he assumed charge of the work at Griswold on October 1, 1935.

Dr. P.O. BerseII, president of the lows Conference, and a home mission minded man, visited the field and was very much impressed with the possibilities. He, together with the executive board of the conference, made several visits to Griswold to meet with the Union Church board and in due time the conference agreed to buy the church building for the sum of $8,000.00 Now the Lutheran group and the Union Church group were ready to begin together in a fellowship of believers with their common Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

To obtain a complete picture of the history of Faith Lutheran Church it is necessary to tell you something of the history of the Union Church of Griswold, which was organized in 1909.
The Reverend Charles E. Luck of Falls River, Massachusetts, was called as pastor to the Christian Church here in Griswold in 1908. Reverend Luck was a noted speaker and many people from all denominations came to hear him. Soon the church was crowded to its utmost capacity so the trustees of the church decided to build an addition to the church and work was commenced immediately.

The Presbyterian Church was without a pastor at that time, so they invited this Congregation to hold their Services there. It was then that circumstances so availed that the two churches became united and work on the Christian Church was stopped. Some of the members of both churches became pessimistic and the outcome of it was that the Presbytery ordered the Union group to vacate. They then held their services in the Opera House. This did not suit them, as they wanted a house of worship of their own, so they decided to build a church. A lot was purchased, the contract let, and the building progressed rapidly. The cornerstone was laid with an appropriate ceremony August 9, 1910. On December 2, 1910, the church was dedicated free of debt.

For twenty years the church progressed and held an honored place in the community. After that time many of the ardent charter members passed on or moved away and pastors were difficult to obtain so the responsibilities fell on a few members who faithfully carried on the Sunday School and the Ladies' Union.

The basic principles upon which this church was founded were (1) Christ the head of the Church, (2) The Bible the rule of faith and practice, (3) Individual interpretation of the scriptures the privilege and duty of all, (4) Mode of baptism, if desired, at the discretion of the applicant, and (5) The union of the followers of Christ.

PART TWO

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH

In the fall of 1934, Rev. A. Leonard Smith, pastor of the Stanton Mamreland Church, accompanied by the choir, conducted services in the Rensburg community where once a branch of the church existed. At one of the Sunday afternoon services it was learned of a possibility of Lutheran work at Griswold. From then on for a short period of time, the Stanton congregation assumed responsibilities for the services. A little later pastors alternated in preaching on Sunday afternoons.

In 1935, the Union Church in Griswold invited them to worship with them and the first minister was called in 1936. The Lutherans bought the church building for $8,000 in 1935. On March 8, 1936, 0. Karl Olander was called. His salary was $1680 a year, a free parsonage, and a one month vacation.

The first Christmas Eve service was held in 1936. Christmas Eve service was the only such service around and attracted many people from the community. The church and balcony were always filled. Women's Missionary Society was organized in January 1937 with a membership of more than fifty. Luther League had 30 members, and Sunday School numbered 75.

Beginning in 1942 during the war years, Faith joined with the Tabor Church. They divided into separate parishes in 1947.
On August 22, 1977, the church council met with an engineer from Visions of Missions in North America (DMNA) to discuss major concerns about the old church.

On February 10, 1980, a congregational meeting was held to approve the preliminary plans for a new church. On October 5. 1980, the members of Faith Lutheran approved final plans for a new church. On November 30, 1980, the church building proposal was approved by the congregation at a cost of $178, 500 On December 14, 1980 Rev. Peter Larsen, district dean, and Rev. John Carlson, assistant to the bishop, and Faith Lutheran congregation celebrated the ground breaking on the site for the new building.

February 26, 1981 , the church council approved Hautzinger Glass Art to remove the stained glass windows and rework them for the new church. Construction of the new building began March 1981, and on September 20, 1981, the last service was held in the old building on Main Street, a very moving experience and especially for some who were original members when the church was organized.

The first service in the new church was held on September 27, 1981. The time for celebrating had arrived. On November 29, 1981 the building was dedicated. The church had certainly come a long way from 1934 when a small group gathered for Sunday afternoon services.

We thank God for the many miracles He has performed and the many blessings he has bestowed upon us.

Faith's Time Line

A quick attempt was made to chronologically list pastors who have served Faith Lutheran Church. This list was made from the memories of members and some records in the office. We realize we may have some errors, so at this time we offer a challenge to any interested persons to begin reading through minutes and other records and construct a more accurate time line for us. For the time being, you might be interested in reading through this one.