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• Birthday bash planned for Rush River

By Bill Kirk, Pierce County Herald Editor

MARTELL - A century-and-a-half of serving North Central Pierce County is cause for a celebration, members of Rush River Lutheran Church have decided.

This summer, the nearly 425-member congregation will hold a series of events marking the church's 150th anniversary. An ad hoc committee of 12-14 members has been planning the festivities since late 2003.

"This celebration will be spread over several weeks," said the Rev. Michael Harty said, comparing the observance with those for previous milestones of 75, 100 and 125 years, which were "more formal" two-day occasions.

Unlike those past anniversaries, when strings dominated the music, he said, special musical arrangements are scheduled for six Sundays this June and July. Lawrence Johnson, a member knowledgeable in worship traditions, has charge of that aspect. Special 10 a.m. services June 5, 12, 19 and 26, and July 3 and 10 are slated.

At the June 5 service, the Sunday school children will sing. Harty said a potluck picnic and games reminiscent of old-fashioned Sunday school outings will follow. On June 26, a catered meal will be served between the service and a celebration program at 1 p.m.

At 7:30 p.m. July 5, a Norwegian choir will perform. The church's origin has been traced to Norwegian settlers.

The most visible signs of the anniversary so far are two large quilts hanging in the church. Parishioner ember Evie Roen of rural River Falls said the quilts contain 20 blocks and pictures pertaining to the church. Meanwhile, she and Leah Franson of the Lawton area are revamping a four-by-eight crocheted hanging of The Lord's Prayer, originally made by Annie Dunn.

Roen said she appreciates the "country" church, where her husband, Arnold, was baptized, having been raised on the farm he bought in 1947 and they inhabit today.

"If you miss a Sunday, you often get a call from someone asking 'Where were you today?'" she said about the caring that members show one another.

Howard and Edna Christenson of Beldenville, congregation members, provided the following history about Rush River Lutheran:

"Back in 1849, when St. Paul was a settlement of 20 houses and Minneapolis not yet on the map, the Rev. E.L. Clausen of Rock River, Minn., paused to take in the beauty of the area around New Centerville and the Rush River in Wisconsin.

"He was so taken with the scenery that he persuaded five Norwegian settlers from Rock River to move there. Slowly other settlers, mostly Norwegian, joined the original five until, in 1855, there were enough residents to start a church. So the Rush River congregation was formed, with the Rev. Nils Brandt conducting the first services, administering baptism and Communion rites. The next year he was back, and with his help, the Rush River congregation was organized.

"It was decided that all who wished to join the congregation should first subscribe the sum of $2 each to buy land for a building and to pay the pastor."