On June 27, 1921, Miller Lutheran was organized. Together with Ellington Prairie they purchased the present parsonage in Miller so that their pastor could live among them. Both congregations selected committees to confer with other congregations in the area so that in union they might call a pastor. Buffalo Center joined these two congregations in calling Rev. H.E. Okland (1922-30). Rev Okland held services in both Norwegian and English.
In 1922 a lot was purchased in Miller for building a church. Plans proceeded so that on February 23, 1923, the congregation laid definite plans for building the church. The building committee, Rev. Okland, C.O. Anderson, J.P. Johnson, T.O. Paulson and J.O. Ostby, was instructed to start when $2500 had been raised in cash and pledges. By July 19, 1923, this goal was reached and building began.
The first service was conducted in the nearly completed building on Thanksgiving Day, 1923. A large crowd came to the service which was followed by a dinner and bazaar. This became a Thanksgiving tradition at Miller which lasted until 1944. The money raised was used to pay for the building.
In June 1926, Ellington Prairie and Miller Lutheran Churches broke their union with Buffalo Center and became partners with Ellington (now Pilot Knob) Lutheran Church. Rev. Okland served these three congregations.
Finishing work on Miller Lutheran was done gradually over the next 3 1/2 years as donations and gifts cames in. On May 22, 1927, the church was dedicated by Dr. H.C. Holm and Rev. Okland.
1930 was a difficult year for Ellington Prairie and Miller because Ellington (Pilot Knob) broke the union made in 1926 and called Rev. Okland to serve them and Hanlontown. Never again were these three congregations served by the same pastor, though this was suggested by the district officials (1945) who saw the financial burden of Miller and Ellington Prairie in securing a pastor.
Miller and Ellington Prairie sought to find another congregation to align with them in calling a pastor, but Buffalo Center Lutheran Church was served by Rake, Leland was paired with Winnebago Lutheran Church. The two congregations had no choice but to try to raise the money to call and support a pastor. Rev. A.D. Halverson (1930-36) was called.
The financial burden on Miller was the more severe because they were paying for the church they had built. Because of this, Miller Lutheran asked for aid from the Mission Fund of the church at large on at least three occasions in the 30's. In 1937
when Rev. C.B. Gunderson (1936-41) was pastor, the members in a standing vote chose to raise the needed money themselves. Pastor Gunderson chose Peter Juhl and Howard Taylor to go with him to solicit the money. They received much more than what was needed. By 1941, the debt for the Miller Lutheran Church was paid. More of Miller's early history may be found in its 20th anniversary history which is on file in our records.
The Miller Sunday School had always been small, sometimes only two students; but after Howard Taylor was elected Sunday School Superintendent in December 1937, the Sunday School grew and remained strong under his leadership. Howard retained this post for 25 years.
Rev. C.A. Oleson (1942-47), like his predecessor and successor, Rev.Peter A. Humlie (1947-50), was called from seminary to serve these 2 congregations.
Rev Arnold Edwards (1950-60) served Miller and Ellington Prairie longer than any other pastor. During his pastorate, Ellington Prairie celebrated it 75th anniversary (September 13,1953). The booklet printed to celebrate this event is in the records of our church.
After Rev. Edwards accedpted a Call, the congregations decided to call someone from seminary. A Call was issued to Rev. Harris Hostager (1960-63). One month after Rev Hostager resigned a call was sent to Rev. Arno Frerichs, also a new graduate of seminary.
On January 6, 1965, Ellington Prairie Lutheran Church burned to the ground.
Briefly noted: Ellington Prairie- women became eligible to vote in 1936. Miller- January 15, 1942 voted to annul congregation's rights to Ellington Prairie Cemetery. |
