Yesterday...Today...Tomorrow!
First Lutheran Church has been a staple in the Havre community for over 100 years. From the roots of early Norwegian settlers trying to make a living on the northern Montana prairie, we continue a long tradition of life together here on he Hi-Line.
If you are looking for information to do genealogical research for members of First Lutheran Church, North Havre Church, Cottonwood Lutheran Church, or Norway Prairie Norwegian Lutheran Church, please contact the church office at (406) 265-5881.
To understand the history of this congregation, one has to know the history of several other congregations in the Havre area. First Lutheran is the result of several churches coming together over the course of its history, and each of those congregations has brought with it a unique background and people with stories of their own. What follows is but a brief look at the Lutheran congregations of Havre, MT. More information will be added as it is available. If you have stories of these congregations that we can add to our records, please contact the church office.
If you are looking for information to do genealogical research for members of First Lutheran Church, North Havre Church, Cottonwood Lutheran Church, or Norway Prairie Norwegian Lutheran Church, please contact the church office at (406) 265-5881.
To understand the history of this congregation, one has to know the history of several other congregations in the Havre area. First Lutheran is the result of several churches coming together over the course of its history, and each of those congregations has brought with it a unique background and people with stories of their own. What follows is but a brief look at the Lutheran congregations of Havre, MT. More information will be added as it is available. If you have stories of these congregations that we can add to our records, please contact the church office.
North Havre
The Lutheran Church started in Havre as many do: with women. In 1910 a group of Lutherans in Havre started a Synoda Ladies Aid. While there was no church of pastor at the time, the Rev. A. A. Lunde of Great Falls, MT occasionally came to Havre to lead services, hold devotions, and baptize new members of the community. As settlers moved out of the city to farms north of Havre, it was decided that a church should be formed. So, on December 10, 1911 the Norway Prairie Norwegian Lutheran Congregation was organized. A church was built 8 miles north of Havre and, in 1912, the Rev. O. J. Norby began holding services there.
In 1924 the prairie church received a remodel including a new altar, painting, and bell. The bell would later be mounted at First Lutheran Church in Havre, and continues to call us to worship today. In addition, 1924 brought a change in structure from a mission church to a self-supporting congregation. It was renamed North Havre Church and services began being held in English.
Changes in farming practices in the 1930’s meant that fewer people lived north of town on the prairie. In the summer of 1940, the final services of North Havre Church were held and the church closed its doors. Many of the members of North Havre Church transferred their membership to First Lutheran Church Havre at that time.
The Lutheran Church started in Havre as many do: with women. In 1910 a group of Lutherans in Havre started a Synoda Ladies Aid. While there was no church of pastor at the time, the Rev. A. A. Lunde of Great Falls, MT occasionally came to Havre to lead services, hold devotions, and baptize new members of the community. As settlers moved out of the city to farms north of Havre, it was decided that a church should be formed. So, on December 10, 1911 the Norway Prairie Norwegian Lutheran Congregation was organized. A church was built 8 miles north of Havre and, in 1912, the Rev. O. J. Norby began holding services there.
In 1924 the prairie church received a remodel including a new altar, painting, and bell. The bell would later be mounted at First Lutheran Church in Havre, and continues to call us to worship today. In addition, 1924 brought a change in structure from a mission church to a self-supporting congregation. It was renamed North Havre Church and services began being held in English.
Changes in farming practices in the 1930’s meant that fewer people lived north of town on the prairie. In the summer of 1940, the final services of North Havre Church were held and the church closed its doors. Many of the members of North Havre Church transferred their membership to First Lutheran Church Havre at that time.
Cottonwood Lutheran Church
In the area between Havre and the Canadian border lies the community of Cottonwood. In 1914, the Rev. O.J. Norby began holding services in this area, and in 1915, the Cottonwood Ladies’ Aid was organized. In 1919 a piece of land was bought as a cemetery, and is still known as Cottonwood Lutheran Cemetery today. In 1922 a group of Cottonwood Lutherans bought the old Presbyterian Church and, after some remodeling, the church was dedicated on June 29, 1924. The Rev. O. O. Andvik was called as pastor and stayed until 1930.
Cottonwood Lutheran Church continued to serve the people of the prairie until the 1950s, when the church closed and many of its members transferred to First Lutheran Church in Havre. However, a century later, Cottonwood Lutheran Church still stands as a testament to the faithful dedication of early settlers in this area.
First Lutheran Church
In the early 1900’s, in the midst of a railroad and homesteading boom, First Lutheran Church was born. The Revs. A. A. Lunde and O. J. Norby served as missionary pastors from the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and were instrumental in helping these early settlers from congregations in the Havre area. On July 29, 1913, the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized and a small church was built on the corner of Tenth Avenue and Fourth Street in Havre. The church was named First Lutheran Church and was served by the Rev. O. T. Brandrud.
The congregation hit many highs and lows over the next 40 years. While the Havre community grew, we also lost many young people to World War I and II. In the midst of severe droughts, many of our farmers and ranchers moved away as well. Yet, the church grew. A parsonage was built and added onto, and it became apparent that an expansion for the church was needed. In 1933 the original church building was remodeled and expanded, including more space for the Sunday School.
In 1948 the Rev. Selmer Heen came on board at First Lutheran and we added a parish worker.
Regular radio broadcasts of services began in 1949, and continue still today. Today, you can stream our broadcast from anywhere in the world every Sunday at 11 am (Mountain Time).
As the church continued to grow, it was decided that a move and a new church was needed, and in 1950 the first shovelful of dirt was turned for the new location on the corner of Third Street and Sixth Avenue. In 1950 the cornerstone was laid, and within it is a coper time capsule. On December 23, 1951, the finals services were held in the original church, and on December 30, 1951 the first service was held at the new First Lutheran Church
The following decades would bring continued growth to the congregation. In 1956 the church broke ground on a new education wing, and in 1959 the Parish Education Building was opened for classes. A kindergarten was started in the new education building in 1959 and that commitment to early childhood education would lead the congregation to add a preschool and a daycare in later years.
1962 brought about the organization of a sister congregation in Havre, Messiah Lutheran Church. Located on the south end of town, Messiah Lutheran helped the Lutheran Church in Havre better serve it’s expanding community.
The Interns
The Lutheran churches in and around Havre owe a great deal to early missionary pastors who brought the World of God and encouraged the faithful in this community. As Frist Lutheran grew and expanded the decision was made that this congregation be a place of training of future pastors. The congregation welcomed its first intern, James Hanson, in 1952 and many others followed, including:
Norman Wick, 1953; Robert Evans, 1954; Arthur Johnson, 1956; Ronald Massen, 1957; Orlando Hash, 1958; James Kragness, 1959; Charles Melchert, 1960; Willian Stai, 1961; Dennis Hanson, 1962, Douglas Anderson, 1963; Bill Walker, 1965; Donald Juel, 1966; Willian Kees, 1967; Glenn Borreson, 1968; Paul Baker, 1969; Richard Spiedel, 1970; and Brian Gentz, 1971.
Ordained Sons and Daughters of First Lutheran Church
In addition to hosting interns, First Lutheran has a proud heritage of sending people out to serve the wider church. Several members of this congregation have gone on to become pastors and serve congregations around the country. They include:
Andrew Anderson - Ordained in 1937
Merton Johnson - Ordained 1964
Byron Knudsvig - 1965
Philip Eaves - 1969
James Aageson - 1977
Mark Warpmaeker -
Josh Magyar -
Cara Holmquist -
Stacey Siebrase - 2013
Jessica Obrecht -
