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It was at a meeting on July 18, 1918 that it was formally resolved to organize the Scarville Evangelical Lutheran Church. The official name recorded in the early minutes was: Scarville Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Winnebago County, Iowa. About eight families comprised the original membership.

A building committee was elected, with Amos Martinson, John Dale, Sam Throndson, E. K. Juveland, and Nels Brudvig making up its membership. Construction on the church began in the fall of 1918. Mr. J. Sime, Albert Lea, was the builder. A constitution and articles of incorporation were adopted on Dec. 30, 1918. The following officers were elected: Secretary, Andrew Brudvig; Treasurer, John Dale; Trustees, Sam Throndson, Nels Brudvig, E. K. Juveland. The congregation became a member of the reorganized Norwegian Synod.

Early Entries in the Scarville Secretary Minutes
(Minutes date from June 4, 1918 - August 7, 1932 in Norwegian)

June 4, 1918 | July 18, 1918 | December 30, 1918 | June 9, 1919 |Letter to Lime Creek

June 4, 1918

A meeting was held in the parsonage of Pastor E. Hansen on June 4, 1918. Present were:
Amos Martinson, John Dale, Even Juveland, (?) Juveland, N. E. Brudvig, Sam Thronson, N(ils) Faugstad, Past. E. Hansen, and A. J. Torgerson. A. J. T. was elected secretary for the meeting. Pastor Hanson reported that he would build a house and an eye on getting possession of N. Levorson’s lots. In the case the congregation desired to use these lots for the church site, they had the complete freedom to use them. Even Juveland offered 2 lots which he had for the church site, and on the proposal, it was resolved to accept Juveland’s offer with thanks.

It was resolved that Amos Martinson be requested to investigate whether the congregation could use the schoolhouse for divine services. There was discussion about the house which Past. Hansen proposed to build and it was agreed to help with the work as anyone had time and opportunity.

It was resolved to ask the majority for a settlement of at least $1500 as the minority’s part in the congregation’s property, requesting an answer in 30 days. Pastor Hansen was elected to draw up a communication to the majority in the matter a settlement. There was discussion about a religious school for children and Past. Hansen offering to teach two half days a week. It was resolved to accept Past. Hansen’s offer with thanks. The discussion then went over to a church building and subscriptions to the same. A plan was put forth that subscriptions be taken in the form of interest free loans to the congregation. It was resolved to elect a committee to take up such a subscription. John Dale was elected chairman to call a meeting when he finds it practicable. The minutes were approved.

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July 18, 1918

A meeting was held on July 18, 1918 at John Dale’s.

The meeting was opened with a devotion by Past. E. Hansen. The minutes of the last meeting were read.

An answer to our inquiry asking for a settlement was heard. It was resolved that it be attached to the congregations minutes and deposited in the congregations archives.

A report from John Dale was heard. $4,050 was promised to the church in the form of interest free loans. It was resolved to organize a congregation. It was resolved to elect a committee to work out a constitution and articles of incorporation and report at a later meeting. It was resolved that the committee consist of three members. Past. Hansen was elected as the first member, Sam Trondson No. 2, and John Dale No. 3.

It was resolved that a committee be elected to make plans for a church building. The following members were elected. 1. Amos Martinson, 2. John Dale, 3. Sam Trondson, 4. E. K. Juveland, 5. Nils Brudvig. It was resolved that Past. Hanson be chairman of the committee. It was also assigned to this committee to investigate what can be done to secure a cemetery. It was resolved that Past. Hansen investigate whether some “Christian Hymns” can be secured.

The minutes were read and adopted.

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December 30, 1918

A meeting of the Scarville congregation was held at Past. Hansen’s on December 30, 1918.

The meeting began with devotion by Past. E. Hansen, who also served as the chairman of the meeting. Past. Hansen was also requested to serve as secretary for this meeting. The minutes of the last meeting were read. Then a report of the interim treasurer John Dale was heard. The building fund had receipts of $2,545 and expenses of $2,257.94, with a balance of $278.06. The congregational treasury had receipts of 237.50, and expenses of $200, for a balance of $37.50. The report was accepted.

A committee of three was elected to investigate a cemetery.

The discussion then turned to the constitution for the congregation. A committee was elected at the previous meeting to come with a proposal regarding the matter. The committee reported and 23 paragraphs were adopted. One paragraph should be added, but it could not be agreed how it ought to be composed, so that it was agreed to deal with the matter later. The paragraphs which were adopted read thus: – [Congregation Constitution]

It was also resolved to incorporate the congregation, and the following articles of incorporation were accepted: – [Articles of Incorporation]

Thereupon the congregation’s trustees and its chairman and secretary were directed to see to it that the incorporation was legally executed. The following were elected to serve as the congregation’s officers: Secretary, A. E. Brudvig, Treasurer, John Dale, Trustees, Samuel Thronson, N. E. Brudvig, and E. K. Juveland. John Dale was elected to serve as Janitor. Pastor Hansen informed that he was called to serve Synod congregation in Albert Lea as vacancy pastor. It was resolved to permit him to do this as long as necessary (until further notice).

It was resolved to insure the church. It was resolved to insure it through the Wis. Ch. Mut. F. I. Asn. [Wisconsin Church Mutual Fire Insurance Association], and Past. Hansen was appointed to investigate concerning this matter. In this connection there was discussion about lightning rods for the church, and it was decided that lightning rods should be installed. Next, it was resolved that Past. Hansen should have a salary of $200. It was then resolved that the congregation should have a semi-annual meeting on the 2nd day of Pentecost, and thereupon the meeting was adjourned.
The minutes were read and approved.

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June 9, 1919

The semi-annual meeting of Scarville congregation was held in the church June 9, 1919. The meeting was opened with a devotion by Pastor E. Hansen.

The treasurer’s report on the building fund and the congregational treasury were read and adopted. Then the trustees’ report was read and accepted. It was resolved that the treasurer be authorized to pay the bills that come in. It was resolved to turn over to the committee on incorporation to deal with paragraph 23 of the constitution. It was resolved that the congregation purchase a ministerial book. It was resolved that John Dahle be requested to investigate receiving Liberty bonds as loan to the building fund. It was resolved that the trustees be authorized to loan money to the building fund in case it cannot be secured in any other way. It was resolved that Hans Sande be elected to be along on the cemetery committee. It was resolved that the pastor’s salary be $400 per year.

The meeting was adjourned.

A. E. Brudvig [Secretary from June 9, 1919 - June 9, 1930]

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Lake Mills

A Letter

To Lime Creek congregation.

At a meeting held by the undersigned on January 27, [1919], the following resolutions were adopted requesting of Lime Creek congregation. –

In the matter of the school discussions, we declare that we are not able to go along with building any joint congregational school.

We declare further as our intention to construct a place in the town of Scarville: in order to hold services and also a school, and now ask whether Lime Creek congregation is willing to take part in the buildings cost of construction.

The idea is that all would be in joint ownership and under the same direction as Lime Creek congregation. We would retain for ourselves only the right to manage our congregation’s school as we find most beneficial.

If that can be done, then we would want to secure the same teacher who would be employed in the joint congregation’s school.

If Lime Creek congregation cannot go along with our proposal, then we declare further as our intention that we will organize ourselves as an independent congregation provided that separation from Lime Creek can take place in a decent Christian way without raising any offense in the Lime Creek congregation.

The foregoing declaration is adopted by
1. A. T. Vale, chairman
2. Andreas E. Brudvig, Sec.
3. R. O. Martinson
4. E. K. Juveland
5. Niels Larson
6. S. N. Grunhovd
7. John Helle
8. M. O. Martinson
9. (N. E.) Brudvig
10. John S. Brudvig
11. Nils J. Dahle
12. John Estenson
13. Mrs. L.(?) Brudevold
14. (?). O. L. (_all_)
15. M. A. Dahle

(Minutes and letter translated by Prof. Erling T. Teigen, Bethany Lutheran College, April 2005)

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