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╫ Our History

On September 1, 1877 a meeting was held for the purpose of the organization of a Congregation and to call a "Christian preacher to preach the Word of God." They held the meeting in the Lost Grove Schoolhouse. Nine people came to the meeting and are now known as "Charter Members." Those people where: J.W. Johnson, J.L. Wilson, Andrew Perry, A. Johnson, Chas Malmberg, Carl Peterson, J.P. Johnson, C.A. Carlson, and August Schultz. At this meeting Mr. C.A. Carlson was elected Chairman and Mr. Oscar Peterson elected secretary and C.B. Johnson, who was then only 15, later became the pastor. They then developed the Lost Grove Mission Association. The meeting was then ended with the decision "to adjourn to meet again tomorrow evening at C. Peterson's home."

At this meeting Mr. J.L. Wilson was chosen as Chairman. Mr. Sunden was present and was asked to participate as an advisory person. They also began to elect officers.

• John P. Johnson-Chairman

• Andrew Johnson-Treasurer

• Andrew Perry-Vice Chairman

• C.A. Carlson-Deacon

• J.W. Johnson-Deacon

• J.L. Wilson-Deacon

• C. Peterson-Trustee

• August Schultz-Trustee

In this meeting they also decided they would get membership in The Evangelical Lutheran Mission Association. Mr. Andrew Johnson and Mr. C.A. Carlson should inquire of the Iowa Railroad Land Co. about the purchasing of a lot of five acres for church purposes in the N.E. quarter, of the North East quarter of Section 35, Township 86, Range 29 in Lost Grove Township. They also adopted the Constitution as was adopted for the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Association in Osage City, Kansas, July 18, 1873.

As the work progressed and grew, the homes and schoolhouses became too small for the services and other activities of the young but active congregation. The building of a church was considered at various times, but it was not until January 1888 that it was definitely decided to build the first church. It was built one and a half miles west of Lanyon. A parsonage was built in the spring of 1890 and in 1904 an addition was added to the church. On August 9, 1909 the congregation decided to build a new church in Lanyon. It was dedicated on October 26, 1910. In August 1912 the parsonage was moved to the north part of Lanyon. The old church was sold in December 1915. On January 11, 1921 the congregation purchased the present parsonage from Mr. C.J. Carlson, trading off the old parsonage as part payment.