Trinity Lutheran Church gearing up for 75th anniversary

News Release
Trinity Lutheran

This year, marks the 75th Anniversary of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bergland. The festivities to mark this special anniversary are scheduled for Saturday & Sunday, August 30-31 (Labour Day Weekend).
During the early decades of the last century, pastors didn’t drive from Rainy River to Bergland or to Morson. They walked. Thus, to share the Christian message and to give spiritual encouragement to the folk that area, pastors walked long distances. Pastor Ursin, located in Rainy River many times stayed overnight at the Norlunds on his way to and from Bergland. On one of those trips, the year being 1918, Pastor Ursin baptized the Norlund’s four children. They lived in Pratt Township, 13 miles north of Sleeman. Pastor Halvar Jensson, grandfather of Vivian Locking (still living in McInnes Creek) walked the 20 miles from McInnes Creek to Bergland and then went on to Morson.
Many of the Bergland and area settlers were of Scandinavian descent. The Lutheran expression of the Christian faith was the natural preference. People gathered in homes and in schools to worship and study the Bible. In 1924, the Ladies Aid who had been earlier organized, bought land and had the old log school house moved on to it. This structure was used for worship services and related activities. It wasn’t until 1933 that the congregation was formally established and associated with the Augustana Conference (Swedish background). By 1961 the old log building had seen its day and needed to be replaced. That new building, over the past two years has been added onto and renovated on the inside, providing the congregation with a very useful and attractive structure for worship, study, fellowship and service.
The congregation is looking forward to having former pastors, members and friends renewing acquaintances and sharing in the good fellowship. The Anniversary Banquet will be held at the Bergland Hall on Saturday evening. A breakfast will be served on Sunday morning, followed by a wonderful time of worship and praise, and then lunch.
Information may be obtained through phone: 488-5714, e-mail: trinity_bergland_on@yahoo.ca, or the Municipal web-site: www.lakeofthewoods.ca