BRAHAM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH HISTORY
As Swedish emigrants settled in northern Isanti and southern Kanabec counties beginning in 1869, many became concerned over the lack of a religious organization to continue Lutheran beliefs and practices so familiar in the old country. On January 11, 1879, twenty-nine adults from Stanchfield Township and the adjoining Grass Lake community of Kanabec County met in the home of Jons Olson and organized the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Rice Lake. Nine confirmed young people and 39 baptized children brought the original membership of the congregation to 77. The church subscribed to the Unaltered Augsburg Confession and requested membership in the Augustana Synod, the American successor to the Lutheran state church of Sweden. In 1881, the congregation commissioned Jonas Norell to draw up plans for a meetinghouse that would be located on the site of the present Rice Lake Lutheran Cemetery. Completed in 1882, this simple frame structure served that community for fifty years.
To the east of Rice Lake, the community of Braham began to grow in 1899 with the coming of the Eastern Railway Company of Minnesota. The Rice Lake congregation organized a mission there and in 1900 constructed a small chapel and, later, a parsonage for the minister. In 1907, the parish erected a large church building in the village, Rev. C.S. Renius essentially serving as the architect. Planned to seat 350 to 400 worshippers, this wood-framed, brick-veneered structure, complete with steeple, cost $6,500. The congregation held a debt of $1,000 on Dedication Sunday.
The congregation grew as the village became more prosperous. The ministers continued to serve both the Braham Church and the Rice Lake Church. More and more services began to be held in English, even though all official transactions remained in Swedish. The church family was augmented when members of a Norwegian Lutheran parish around Rice Lake and a Danish Lutheran Church southeast of Braham ceased operations.
In 1920, the Braham parishioners organized themselves into a separate congregation entitled the Braham Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Rice Lake and Braham congregations existed as separate parishes until 1932 when the mother parish at Rice Lake was reunited with its daughter parish. The Rice Lake Church was then dismantled. The church in Braham was extensively remodeled in the 1940s with the addition of an educational wing. A new seven room colonial style parsonage was constructed by Nordby Construction of Braham in 1949. Interior remodeling of the church continued in the 1950s and a new stone entrance, narthex, and office area were added in 1961.
From the earliest days of the parish, a strong Sunday School program and active women's organizations have contributed to the spiritual and economic health of the congregation. An active Luther League and other young peoples' organizations provided fellowship and contributed to special projects of the congregation. Following World War I and continuing through 1956 a Women's Missionary Society emphasized worldwide outreach and service. A men's organization provided much support for the congregation's physical facilities. A strong musical tradition has enhanced church worship and community celebrations.
In 1979, the congregation celebrated its Centennial in newly refurbished facilities. A year long series of services included banquets, an historical drama, and a confirmation reunion. The congregation published a detailed history of the parish.
On Sunday morning, September 8, 1985, a lightning bolt struck the church, and the resulting fire destroyed the structure and most of its contents. Services continued unabated in Westview High School while the congregation studied rebuilding plans. The congregation accepted the donation by Margaret M. Nordby of a 9.5 acre parcel on the northwestern edge of the city. Norman R. Sessing of St. Paul was engaged to design a single story building. A Steering Committee acted as the building's general contractor and appointed Stanley E. Nelson as the construction manager to oversee the daily work. Groundbreaking occurred on August 17, 1986, and worshippers gathered for the first services on June 14, 1987.
The architect designed a building full of symmetry and symbolism. Visually, the church was designed to be a beacon and a source of strength. A central sanctuary topped with a cross facing the intersection of West Central Drive and County Road #4 symbolically calls the people to Christ. On the opposite side of the building, a bell with tower and canopy to the main entrance calls worshippers into the church. Two curved wings extend from the main structure and represent the arms of Christ gathering and welcoming the community into His fold. Inside the sanctuary, one of the focal points is a ten-foot-diameter rose window designed by Earl C. Neiman and crafted by Neiman-Gamundi Studios of Italy. Centered on the "I Am" theme, the brilliant Venetian glass of the window depicts Jesus as the Light of the World; the Good Shepherd; the Way, the Truth, and the Life; and the Bread of Life.
As of February 1998, the congregation included 777 baptized members. An annual budget of more than $160,000 supports a full range of worship and educational services - two Sunday morning services, Sunday School, adult forum, a two year confirmation program, and various youth activities. Chancel and youth choirs glorify God through their gifts of music. Active chapters of the Women of the ELCA and of Lutheran Churchmen significantly augment the life and work of the parish. An Altar Guild enhances the worship experience by caring for the liturgical appointments and the floral arrangements. A library provides reading materials for all ages. Through its Cemetery Board, the congregation maintains the Rice Lake Lutheran Cemetery located four miles to the west of the city. Local outreach activities include hosting the local food shelf and a sewing group that provides quilts for needy residents. As part of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the congregation participates in worldwide ministries, mission endeavors, disaster response, and ecumenical activities.
ADULT CHARTER MEMBERS - 1879
SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGREGATION OF RICE LAKE
Olof Anderson (1827-1901) and wife Katharina (1837-1913)
John Broff (1821-1887) and wife Anna Maria (1843-1886)
Anders Carlson (1844-1925) and wife Sara Christina Jonasdotter (1845-1925)
Karl Gustaf Seth Johnson (1844-1913) and wife Bengta (1837-1907)
Olof Johnson (1831-1915)
Anders Lindquist (1839-1886) and wife Christina Ostlund (1847-1924)
Erik Lofgren (1846-1904) and wife Ingrid Petrina (1846-1932)
John J. Mandahl (1842-1917)
Sven Olof Pierson Melin (1845-1898) and wife Anna Brita Jonsdotter (1844-1935)
Erick Nelson (1828-1885) and Katharina Persdotter (1835-1893)
Anders Olson (1829-1884) and wife Maria Olava Esbjornsdotter (1836-1880)
Jons Olson (1825-?) and wife Anna Katharina (1828-?)
Anders Gustaf Peterson (1841-1913) and wife Ingrid Stina Hillergren (1844-1910)
Charles Petter Carlson Sandberg (1841-1914) and wife Maria Katharina Jonsdotter (1845-1922)
Peter Magnus Jonsson Sandell (1824-1908) and wife Christina Andersdotter (1818-1898)
Aron A. Skog (1839-1896)
ORGANIZING MEMBERS - 1920
BRAHAM EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Andrew Anderson
Mr. and Mrs. N.E. Anderson
Andrew Bergstrom
John Dahl
Mrs. Charles Dahlen
John Gudmundson
Mr. and Mrs. Swan Hammer
A.G. Johnson
A.P. Johnson
Edwin Johnson
G.W. Johnson
J.P. Johnson
Victor Johnson
Ed Larson
George G. Ledin
O. E. Lindblad
Severin Mattson
John A. Monson
Oscar Monson
Mrs. A.P. Olson
Mrs. Andrew Olson
Oscar A. Olson
Mr. and Mrs. W.N. Ostrom
Mrs. Huldah Palmer
Malker Peterson
Nels Peterson
Mrs. A.W. Sundberg
B.T. Swenson
LIST OF PASTORS
Anders Engdahl, 1879-1883
John Peter Leaf, 1883-1896
Fredrik Peterson, 1896-1899
John O. Cavallin, 1899-1906
Carl Svenson Renius, 1906-1918
Carl Olof Thunberg, 1919-1921
August Peterson Lawrence, 1922-1930
Algot Theodore Lundholm, 1931-1938
Emeroy Johnson (interim), 1938-1939
Frank Anton Oscar Bonander, 1939-1948
Evald Emanuel Olsenius, 1948-1954
Gilbert Reinhold Brown, 1954-1971
J. Dean Gevik, 1971-1987
Julie A. Beck, 1987-1992
Deborah A. Taylor (interim), 1992-1993
Christopher C. Smith, 1993-1997
Harry A. Eklund (interim), 1997-1998
Richard D. Chronis, 1998--