Swede Valley - A Sesquicentennial feature

Published by admin on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 7:34am

The immigrants who came from Europe in the last half of the 19th century were men, women and children who had high regards and love for the spiritual values in life. They brought with them hope for a better life and a willingness to work hard. They brought their Bibles and their hymn books and used them in their homes and churches.

The years between 1867 and 1872 saw a great immigration from Sweden. They were factory workers, farmers and miners. These people wanted the preaching of the word of God and administration of the Holy Sacraments in their adopted country.

On Sept. 25, 1868, they called a meeting to organize a congregation. Pastor Malmberg from Swede Bend, which is now Stratford, was invited to preside over the meeting. C.J. Damstrom was elected to act as secretary. At this meeting, 50 communicants and 49 children joined to form the Swede Valley Church in Moingona, IA.

The first church services were held in the home of Mathis Honstrom. In April, 1869, the congregation decided to rent the Honstrom house from April 1 to October 1 of that year to be used as a church and school house. It was also during this time that the first confirmation class was held by Pastor Malmberg.

Sept. 22, 1869, the congregation moved to buy an acre from Sandbergs on which to build a church, 28 feet long, 20 feet wide and 18 feet high. This location would have been one mile east from where the Marcy Center School used to sit. The next year it was decided to move the church to where the Marcy Center School was located. But it seems that the congregation was still not satisfied because on Jan. 5, 1874 a new committee was formed to see about a new location. Five acres of land were purchased for $100. This site was approximately one mile north of the present church. And yes, you guessed it! In 1880 a committee was again appointed to see about another location. So the church was moved again onto donated land. Finally we have arrived at our present location!

Read more in the May 25, 2016 issue of The Ogden Reporter.