East Paint Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church

East Paint Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church Located in Waterville, Iowa. Established in 1851. History of the church

As early as 1850 Norwegian settlers came to Paint Creek, Iowa.

A dedicated few organized a congregation, with Pastor C.L. Clausen first preaching in July 1851. In 1853 together with the Washington Prairie parish, Pastor Ulrik Vihelm Koren was called from Norway. He preached his first sermon on Jan. 1st. 1854 in a log house. In 1855 the congregation joined the Norwegian Synod. Land was purchased and the present day Old East Paint Creek Church and parsonage was

built at the Dalby location, a Postal stop for early settlers. Three years later the congregation was divided into East and West churches. A doctrinal controversy begins in 1877 that


split the congregation into the majority and minority members. In 1886 the present day East Paint Creek ‘Synod” Lutheran Church was organized by a minority of the members as a result of the “Election Controversy”. The minority members of the Paint Creek congregation and Pastor Koren, with out a church building, conducted services in local school houses and private homes until the present day “Synod” church buildings were built: East in 1890 and West in 1892. Church services were given in Norwegian until the first English service was held in the East Church on Thanksgiving Day 1901. The last service as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod was held on December 19th, 2004.

05/08/2023

The East Paint Creek Norwegian Church Bible 1890. Church was dedicated by Dr. U. V. Koren on June 11th 1891.

Enjoy a little Norwegian and local history when you visit us during our Annual Memorial Day Open House on Saturday, May ...
05/08/2023

Enjoy a little Norwegian and local history when you visit us during our Annual Memorial Day Open House on Saturday, May 27 (10am-3pm).

Visit our quaint little church during our Annual Memorial Day Open House on Saturday, May 27th (10am-3pm).We were establ...
05/08/2023

Visit our quaint little church during our Annual Memorial Day Open House on Saturday, May 27th (10am-3pm).

We were established in 1890, so our little church has much Norwegian history to share.

The altar painting should look very familiar to lots of local folks.
If you notice, the ceiling was designed to resemble an open bible.

Whether you have family history in our church or not, it is a lovely building to visit. We will have church history, photos, and there are always stories to share!

Stop in and say, "Hi".

05/08/2023
Everyone is invited to our Annual Memorial Day Open House!Saturday, May 17, 2023 (10am-3pm)Refreshments will be served.V...
05/08/2023

Everyone is invited to our Annual Memorial Day Open House!
Saturday, May 17, 2023 (10am-3pm)
Refreshments will be served.

Visit inside and outside the church (established in the year 1890).
Historical documents, ledgers, and other items will be on display as well as photos of past pastors and church members.

If you have photos or stories that you want to share, please bring them along or share them here on our FB page.

We hope to see you there!

05/23/2019
This site has wonderful information if you are searching for a specific gravestone.
05/25/2018

This site has wonderful information if you are searching for
a specific gravestone.

Iowa Gravestones is a genealogy project with over one million gravestone photos from across 99 Iowa Counties.

05/25/2018

Current basement bulletin board.

Address

1751 Gronna Drive
Waterville, IA
52170

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when East Paint Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category