WAUPACA COUNTY POST

September 22, 1921

 

FINE PROGRAM ON AT THE HOLY GHOST CHURCH

Fiftieth Anniversary and Jubilee Service Attracts Visitors From Far and Near – Big Reunion

 

            Many visitors have come to Waupaca from far and near to attend the fiftieth anniversary and jubilee service at Holy Ghost church which began Wednesday evening and will continue through Sunday, closing on Monday, the 25^th inst.

            Rev. R. Anderson of Brooklyn, N.Y. preached the opening sermon.  He told many interesting things from the early history of the congregation.  He stated that fifty years ago next Christmas he held his first service in Waupaca, in a small log school house, in the Third Ward, on the corner where H. Ebbe now lives.  He also stated that as far as he knew the first Danish congregation in America was organized here at Waupaca, when the Holy Ghost congregation formed themselves into a regular organized congregation Sept. 25, 1871.  But the real beginning of the work here dated back much further, as early as 1854, when Rev. M.F. Sorenson, an Episcopal minister, came to Waupaca and started a congregation.

            In 1856 an Episcopal church was built, and Rev. Sorenson preached in the English language every Sunday forenoon, and in the afternoon to the Danish people.  Later the Danish people were served by a Norwegian Lutheran pastor from Scandinavia until 1871 when they organized and called their own pastor.  Rev. Anderson served as pastor here for six years and although past seventy now is still in active work, having charge of the Danish Lutheran Emigrant and Sailor’s Mission at Brooklyn, New York.

            Rev. N.P. Simonsen of Emmettsburg, Iowa, also delivered a splendid sermon at the meeting Wednesday evening.

            Other pastors in attendance from out of town are:  Rev. C.H. Jensen, Des Moines, Ia.; Rev. James N. Lund, Kenmare, N.D.; Rev. E.L. Erlander, Poysippi, Wis.; and Rev. Th. N. Jersild and wife, Atlantic, Ia.

            Among the many visitors are Mr. and Mrs. Eiler Hansen, Mrs. I.N. Jersild, Nels Larson, Miss Mary Larson, Miss Katy Larson, M.and Mrs. M. Madsen, a daughter and three sons, all of Neenah; Mrs. C. Christenson and daughter Marie, Mr. and Mrs. M. Nelson; Mr. and Mrs. H. Anderson, Mrs. J. Nelson and Mrs. H.T. Olson, Poysippi; Mr. and Mrs. N.P. Jensen, Peter Rasmussen, George Rasmussen and Miss Sophia Rasmussen, Saxeville; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mortenson, Marion; Mr. and Mrs. H. Christensen and Mr. and MRs. Nels Rasmussen, Symco; and Mrs. Mary Christensen, Chicago, Ill.

            Many more guest are expected, many of them coming only for Sunday, the big day of the jubilee.