History of Nicolai Lutheran Church
 

    In the year 1879, a group of German families formed Nicolai Lutheran Church in western Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. These families included August Richter, Emil Richter, Gustav Richter, Karl Tesch, Emil Tesch, Charles Lueders Sr., Charles Lueders Jr., Frederick Lueders, William Lueders, Friedrich Sass, Carl Schaning, Chris Schaning, Herman Wolff, Charles Wolff, Carl Voss, Charles Dahn, Charles Roehrdanz, George Titus, Christina Fuhrman, Henry Krueger, and John Maier.
     Pastor Christoph Boettcher (1881-189), a traveling missionary serving western Minnesota and eastern South Dakota, held services once every eight to sixteen weeks. These first services were held in the homes. One of the homes to worship in was the August Richter home, parents of George, Alma, Paul and Elsie. At that time children were brought for baptism. Many of Rev. Boettcher's trips were made in snowshoes. On January 1, 1884, Nicolai, St. John's Omro and Alta Vista Township called Boettcher to become their pastor.


Early church family gathered at August Richter home


Nicolai Lutheran Church, Oshkosh Township 1891-1951

      In 1891, the voting members voted to build a church in Section 20 SE 1/4 of Oshkosh Township, Yellow Medicine county of Minnesota. The church was dedicated in 1892. In 1891, Pastor Boettcher accepted a call to Alma City, Minnesota. Rev. Jacob Fry was called in 1891 to fill the vacancy. He became ill in the fall of 1898 and passed away on December 30, 1898.
     In April 1899, Rev. E. G. Fritz was installed as pastor. He served St. John's, Nicolai, and Alta Vista Township (Taunton) until 1901, when St. John's decided to have their congregation independent of others.
     In 1901, Rev. P. Gedicke came to Oshkosh Township and served Nicolai and Taunton congregations. During his service as pastor he stayed with members of the congregation.

 

Rev. C. Boettcher
1881-1891

Rev. Jacob Fry
1891-1898

 Rev. E. G. Fritz
1898-1901

Rev. P. Gedicke
1901-1906
    
     After Rev. Gedicke's resignation, Nicolai and Taunton called Pastor D. J. Kautz who was installed in 1908. In January of 1908, the congregation resolved that no one should pay less than $10.00 of the Pastor's salary. Rev. Kautz served Nicolai congregation until Jan. 1920 when the congregation accepted his resignation.
     In 1905, it was necessary to build a parsonage and the members of the congregation built it. Rev. Kautz was the first resident pastor. The congregation also resolved to build the pastor a chicken house 10' x 14' x 6' high. In 1915, they bought and set 40 posts to tie up horses on the church grounds.
     There were some interesting resolutions passed by the early church. On Jan. 6, 1919, it was resolved not to have any fire in the stove in inclement weather. On Jan. 25, 1920, it was resolved that English services would be held on the 2nd Sunday of the month. It was resolved on July 10, 1921, to have "Christian Lehre" in the same language as the sermon beginning with the first Sunday in September.
     In 1920 and 1920, Rev. Jank served Nicolai and Taunton parishes. In the spring of 1922, he accepted a call.
     Rev. Vollmers of St. John's Omro Township, served Nicolai from may until Nov., 1922, when Pastor C. G. Schmidt accepted the call to serve Nicolai and Taunton. On July 1, 1923, it was resolved to change the English hymn book from the Missourian to the Wisconsinian and that each buy their own. The voters resolved on Jan. 7, 1924 to have services in English instead of German on each 3rd Sunday of the month. On April 13, 1924, it was resolved that the Secretary be allowed to record the minutes of the meetings in the English language. Rev. Schmidt served these parishes until he accepted a call to John's, Omro, in March, 1925.

 

Nicolai Lutheran Church - Oshkosh Township

 

Rev. D. J. Kautz
1908-1920

Rev. Jank
1920-1921

 Rev. C. G. Schmidt
1922-1925

Rev. Carl Kuske
1927-1931
     In 1924, Nicolai asked for a release from the Dakota-Montana Conference and Synod District and applied for membership in the Minnesota District. It was also in this year that an electric system was bought for the Christmas tree instead of candles. In January of 1925, the congregation voted that a fir floor be put in the Sunday School. The floor will be oiled with linseed oil and the work should be done by early spring.
     In March 1925, a call was sent to Rev. August Pomperin of Hazel, South Dakota. The congregation helped move Rev. Pomperin from Grover, South Dakota in April 1925. Each truck driver of the congregation, Otto Heise, John Hansen and Louis Golz, received $10.00 for moving the pastor's belongings. Rev. Pomperin served this parish until January 1927.
     Nicolai sent its first delegate to the Minnesota District Conference at Arlington, Minnesota on June 24-25, 1925. The first delegate to represent Nicolai congregation was Fred Hansen.
     Rev. E. Neumann and Rev. R. P. Young served as vacancy pastors for Nicolai from January 1927, until July 1927, when Rev. Carl Kuske of Bison, South Dakota, accepted the call sent to him by the Nicolai and Taunton congregations. On June 19, 1927, the congregation voted to celebrate the annual Mission Festival in the parsonage grove. On January 25, 1931, the members present at this meeting volunteered to do the janitor work in alphabetic form and those not present to be asked to do the work to start next Sunday and start with H. The pastor was to announce from the pulpit who is to be the next janitor the coming Sunday, and who is not present, the pastor to notify him by mail or otherwise. If a member could not be present to do the janitor work he was to find his own substitute. Rev. Kuske served these congregations until February, 1931, when he accepted a parish near Renville.
     On July 5, 1931, it was moved and carried to close Saturday School for that year for two months, July and August. Rev. Ed. A. Schmidt of Madison served as vacancy pastor from March, 1931 until April 1935.
     Rev. Louis Rosin served as vacancy pastor at Nicolai along with Zion's Parish, Tyro Township, Yellow Medicine County in the spring of 1935. He served these congregations until the fall of 1949 when he accepted a call to Easton, Minnesota.
     On October 20, 1935, it was moved and carried that the secretary ask each member for a donation for the purpose of buying coal for the  winter months. In August 1943, a motion was made and seconded that Mrs. Edmund Lueders, Miss Alma Richter and Rev. Rosin be appointed as a committee to apply to the ration board for points for food supplies for the Mission Festival to be celebrated in August.


Nicolai Ladies Aid - 1946

      The Nicolai Ladies Aid had permission to organize in May 1946. Charter members of this organization were Mrs. John Hansen, Mrs. Herman Ochsendorf, Sr., Mrs. Andrew Hansen, Mrs. Hugo Willgohs, Mrs. Lloyd Lueders, Mrs. Rudolph Willgohs Jr. Mrs. E. C. Lueders, Mrs. R. W. Willgohs, Mrs. Louis Golz, Mrs. Ida Borchard, Alma Richter, August Meisner, Mrs. LeRoy Ochsendorf, Ella Hellwinckel and Mrs. Arthur Gubrud.
     On January 21, 1947, a motion was made and carried that several Sunday School classes may meet in the church proper because of the crowded conditions and too much noise in the school room. A motion was also made and carried that the envelope system be used by members who want to make their contribution by envelope, and all who wish to abide by the old way may do so. On May 11, 1947, a motion was made and carried that we have both English services for our Mission Festival. At the annual Meeting held January 12, 1949, the voting members voted to join The Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.
 

Charter Members of LWML
Clara Hansen & Luella Gubrud

Rev. Ed. A. Schmidt
19231-1935

 Rev. Louis Rosin
1935-1949

Rev. T. H. Hilgendorf
1950-1951
     Rev. Brammer of Madison served s vacancy pastor until Rev. T. H. Hilgendorf of Beemer, Nebraska, accepted the call to serve Zion of Tyro and Nicolai of Canby in the summer of 1950. He served until the fall of 1951.
     To the left is pictured the reed organ used in the early church. Shown with the organ is Paul Lueders, Mabel Holmlund, organist and Robert Willgohs. In 1952, a new Hammond organ was donated by Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Peterson, and Martha Lueders and family.
     Mrs. Mabel Hansen Holmlund began her work as church organist in 1943 and continue to faithfully fulfill her duty as organist until the 1990's.
     In July 1950, a committee was appointed to look into the buying of the St. Stephen's Church located in Canby. Members of the committee were John Hansen, Andrew Hansen, E. W. Lueders, Alfred Carstens, George Richter, Rudolph Willgohs, and Rev. Hilgendorf. In September 1950, it was voted on by the congregation - 18 yes, 2 no - to purchase St. Stephen's Church in Canby for $16,000. The church was dedicated the first Sunday in January, 1951.
     In 1950 the parsonage and lot in Oshkosh Township was listed for sale. In 1952, the congregation voted to accept the offer from Henry Krause of $3000. for the parsonage and lot.
     Rev. Rehwaldt of Granite Falls served as vacancy pastor until Rev. R. H. Lawrenz accepted a call in the fall of 1951. He served Nicolai until the spring of 1954 when he accepted a call to Illinois.
     On January 12, 1950, a motion was made and carried that we have a board of ushers do the ushering, pass collection plates, etc. On April 8, 1951, it was moved and carried that we have an Adult Bible Class once a month. On July 14, 1952, a motion was made and carried that we have the tolling of the bell when the Lord's Prayer is said during the services. In September, 1952, Nicolai congregation organized the Fellowship Club. On October 26, 1953, a motion was moved and carried that we have Communion Services 6 times in 1954.


Nicolai Lutheran Church - 1951-1981
 


Interior of Nicolai Lutheran - 1951-1981


Nicolai Cemetery
  
        
     After Rev. Lawrenz's pastorate until the spring of 1954, Rev. Rehwaldt of Granite Falls again served as vacancy pastor. Rev. W. Haag also served Nicolai from September 1954 until June of 1955 when he accepted a call to serve Redeemer of Boyd along with Zion of Tyro Township.
      At a meeting in October 1954, Rev. Hill and Rev. Bohrer explained that Nicolai could call our own pastor to be right in Canby. In January 1955, a ballot vote was taken on the question "Resolved the Nicolai Lutheran Congregation, Canby, Minnesota, call its own pastor and petition the Minnesota District for subsidies to underwrite the undertaking." The result was: 22 - yes, 6 - no, and 2 - blank.
      In May 1955, it was voted to built a parsonage in Canby. Rudy Swenson of Madison draw the blueprints for the parsonage which would cost around $15.000. In July 1955, a call was sent to Rev. Carl M. Steging of Pierce, Nebraska. On July 6, 1955, the congregation purchased Lot 1, Block 9, 1944 Addition in Canby. The building progressed and in the spring of 1956, Rev. Carl M. Steging and his family moved into the house. Rev. Steging was responsible for reorganizing the choir. He also served as its director. In 1958, the congregation discontinued using the Common Cup and started using the Individual Cup in Communion. On April 4, 1956, a motion was made and carried that the Chairman and janitor take care of moving the altar rail so that it opens in the middle. In 1962, he accepted the call to Peace Lutheran of Lauderdale, St. Paul, Minnesota.
     Rev. Rehwaldt of Granite Falls served as vacancy pastor until Rev. Walter Dierks of Browns Valley, Minnesota, accepted the call in the spring of 1962. Rev. Dierks served Nicolai until his retirement on June 1, 1967. During his pastorate Rev. Dierks was ill and Rev. Roberson of Tyro and Redeemer of Boyd, and Rev. A.C. Warneke of Madison assisted.

 



In 1968, Nicolai Lutheran held a mortgage-burning ceremony. Pictured above are Trustee Paul Richter, Vacancy Pastor Rev. A.C. Warneke, Treasurer Henry Golz and Elder John Lindner.

Rev. R. H. Lawrenz
1951-1954

 Rev. W. Haag
1954-1955		 Rev. Carl M. Steging
1955-1962		 Rev. Walter Dierks
1962-1967

 
     In 1963, shrubbery was planted around the church by Snortum's Flowers and in 1964, a safe was purchased for $52.75. It was voted to put the safe in the crying room. On April 13, 1965, a motion was made, and carried to give Paul Richter permission to get bids, plans and specifications for a new heating system in the church. On July 20, 1965, a motion was made and carried to give the Ladies Aid permission to remodel the kitchen as they have planned. Also a motion was made and carried to install a new ceiling in the basement, bids to be obtained by the trustees.
     Rev. A. C. Warneke of Madison served as vacancy pastor from June 1967, to January 1969. The congregation voted in October of 1968, to call for a first quarter candidate, Rev. Donald Frerichs, a graduate of our seminary in Springfield, Illinois who came to us at this time and served from January 1969 to August of 1971 when he accepted a call to Pasco and Basin City, Washington
    On September 2, 1969, a motion was made and carried to accept women as voting  members and they can hold offices except for President Vice President, Elder and chairman of any committee.
     It was in February of 1971, while the Rev. Donald Frerichs was pastor, that the congregation first decided that it was in need of a new facility for worship and Christian education. They had hoped that they would be able to start to build in three years. Apparently, the Lord thought differently, and that more patience was needed..

 

Rev. A. C. Warneke
Vacancy Pastor		 Rev. Donald Frerichs
1969-1971		 Rev. Euguen Ernst
1972-1975		 Rev. Martin Langemo
1975-1987

    
     Rev. Warneke of Madison served our congregation as vacancy pastor until 1972, when Rev. Eugene Ernst accepted a call. He served our congregation until 1975. During the stay of Pastor Ernst, the matter of a new worship facility was discussed more and some improvements were made on the existing building.
     Pastor Martin Langemo arrived in August of 1975, and there was more and more earnest discussion, centering around the subject of whether to remodel the old building or construct a new one. Finally, knowing that our building fund savings had grown to over $45,000. and that our city of Canby was willing to purchase the church and lot for $55,000. the congregation decided in  a special meeting on April 7, 1980, to build a new building, the cost of which should be $200,000. On June 29, 1980, the trustees were given the power to buy three lots on the Ferguson Addition for $11,000 plus assessments. On Sunday, August 24, 1980, the Ground Breaking Ceremony was held at the new site. Acting as its own contractor, the members of the congregation provided the labor for building the church structure. Co-chairman of the building Committee were Bernard Ailts and Mrs. Darlyne Tollakson. With the Lord's help and protection, the work continued rapidly from September through the winter months. The present church was dedicated on Sunday, June 21, 1981. Pastor, his wife Carol and six children were deeply involved in church activities. Pastor Langemo served as the choir director and emphasized evangelism in his ministry. He served the Nicolai Congregation until September, 1987. He is currently the pastor at Silver Creek, Minnesota.


The parsonage at 302 N. Pine in Canby, Minnesota


     


Nicolai Lutheran Church, 103 Humphrey Drive

 

  
     Pastor Roger Dramstad of St. John's Lutheran Church in Madison served as vacancy pastor until July of 1988. Pastor Kelly Bedard, a graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, was called and installed as pastor of Nicolai in August, 1988. During Pastor Bedard's ministry, the congregation voted to purchase a new Rodgers Organ and Kurzweil Synthesizer. A computer was installed during his ministry which allowed the keeping of more accurate records and to keep  in touch with active and inactive members. Pastor Bedard continued to emphasize evangelism in his ministry. His wife, Julie, assisted him in his ministry and served as choir director. On August 12, 1980, he accepted a call to Manassas, Virginia. Once again, we had Pastor Dramstad serving as our vacancy pastor.

 
  Rev. Kelly C. Bedard
1988-1990		 Rev. Roger Dramstad
Vacancy Pastor		  

 
 

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