Danish Baptist03

Waupaca Record

Thursday, November 12, 1903

DANISH BAPTIST JUBILEE

Monday, Nov. 9^th, marked the end of the first quarter in the history of the Waupaca Danish Baptist church, over which Rev. J.A. Fridell is pastor.

On Nov. 9, 1878, a little company of fifteen met for the purpose of organization. Seven of those charter members have remained true to the church during all these years. They are: Mr. and Mrs. Rasmus Jorgensen, Mr. and Mrs. Soren P. Larsen, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Nelsen and Mrs. Mary Johnson.

Very appropriate services were held on Sunday and Monday to mark the passing of the milestone. Sunday morning at 10:30, Rev. c. Henningsen, pastor of the Danish Baptist church at Racine, preached. Rev. Henningsen was one of the charter members of the church and while here before going into the ministry was one of the best workers.

Rev. Fank Peterson, D.D., of Minneapolis, Secretary of the American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society of the Northwest, preached at 3 p.m. One of the members in speaking of it said, “It was the best sermon ever preached in our church.”

In the evening, Rev. E.L. Merlin, State Missionary for the Danish and Norwegian work, preached to a crowded house. Rev. Merlin comes to our American Danes as an old friend, many having heard him preach in Christiana, Norway.

On Monday at 2 p.m., began the Jubilee program. The church letter, tracing the history as far as possible since its beginning, was read by J.F. Knudsen and showed only four pastorates in thirteen years and a half, as follows: Rev. L. Jacobson, two and one-half years; Rev. R.J. Peterson, one year; Rev. C.L.A. Christensen, two years; Rev. J.A. Fridell, eight years. It is unfortunate that the present pastor feel led to accept a call to South Dakota, but he has rendered excellent service during his ministrations here.

Letters were also read from former pastors and members and “Greetings” were give by Rev. F. Arthur Hayward of the First Baptist church. Rev. H.P. Petersen for the M.E. church, and Rev. Renning of the Danish M.E. church and Mr. Christensen of Saxeville. The sermon by Rev. Merlin on “The Church and its influence,” closed the afternoon program.

The closing sermon of the “Jubilee” was preached by Rev. C. Henningson and it seemed fitting for him to take “The Church and Its Problems,” as his subject.

The church was elaborately decorated with mottoes, plants and cut flowers. The music was rendered by the church choir with very pleasing solos by Miss Lillian Knudsen and duets by Miss Knudsen and Mrs. Boyce.

All the meals were served at the home of J.F. Knudsen and this plan tended to give the Jubilee a social feeling which with the fervor of its religious features makes it a very memorable event in the lives of all Danish Baptists in Waupaca.