A walk though time at Hope Lutheran Church.
1957
Pastors - Edward Goetz & Maurice Schmidt
President - Carmen Olson
A completely revised constitution for the congregation will be offered at the annual meeting this year. The first annual meeting of the Lutheran Bible Camp Association was held in Big Timber, Montana. 10% of Hope’s total receipts were given to the synodical budget. There were bumper crops such as the Powell Valley has seldom seen, yet the offering is lower than it was last year.
Thanks to Harold Moody and his sons for the new tables in the kindergarten room. Thanks to the Pete Petersen family for the new Sunday School Record Board. Mavis Iverson was the Sunday School Superintendent this year.
The parsonage was completed and dedicated on December 1. Pastor Goetz resigned in June. Gilfred Newhouse from Cody is filling the pulpit. Pastor Schmidt came to serve us in October.
There were 27 new members welcomed this year. Our baptized membership is now 153 with an average attendance of 34. The rapid turnover of pastors was taking its toll on our worship attendance!
President - Carmen Olson
A completely revised constitution for the congregation will be offered at the annual meeting this year. The first annual meeting of the Lutheran Bible Camp Association was held in Big Timber, Montana. 10% of Hope’s total receipts were given to the synodical budget. There were bumper crops such as the Powell Valley has seldom seen, yet the offering is lower than it was last year.
Thanks to Harold Moody and his sons for the new tables in the kindergarten room. Thanks to the Pete Petersen family for the new Sunday School Record Board. Mavis Iverson was the Sunday School Superintendent this year.
The parsonage was completed and dedicated on December 1. Pastor Goetz resigned in June. Gilfred Newhouse from Cody is filling the pulpit. Pastor Schmidt came to serve us in October.
There were 27 new members welcomed this year. Our baptized membership is now 153 with an average attendance of 34. The rapid turnover of pastors was taking its toll on our worship attendance!
1956
Pastor - Edward Goetz
President - Maurice Knutson
The need of a new parsonage is noted and there has been much discussion on this subject. A temporary parsonage has been rented. The parsonage was built later in the year at 525 North Division.
Maurice Knutson donated the lumber for the bookshelves and Darwin Fredrickson donated his labor to build them. They are a much-needed addition to the Pastor’s study.
A new mimeograph machine was purchased. The women of Hope began raising money to purchase a stove for the church kitchen.
14 new members were added this year.
President - Maurice Knutson
The need of a new parsonage is noted and there has been much discussion on this subject. A temporary parsonage has been rented. The parsonage was built later in the year at 525 North Division.
Maurice Knutson donated the lumber for the bookshelves and Darwin Fredrickson donated his labor to build them. They are a much-needed addition to the Pastor’s study.
A new mimeograph machine was purchased. The women of Hope began raising money to purchase a stove for the church kitchen.
14 new members were added this year.
1955
Pastors - J.M. Moe & Ray Mathesen
President - Maurice Knutson
Though we now have our own building in which to worship the Lord, there remains much work to be done inside and out. There is the matter of church furniture, and there is lawn to be seeded on the grounds. The church building was dedicated on April 24.
Rev. Moe resigned his position here and left at the end of August. Pastor Mathsen of Cody agreed that he would preach in Powell on Sundays and spend two days each week in Powell, visiting, calling and doing the various necessary duties. In the annual report Rev. Mathsen stated, “This congregation has been afflicted with a severe case of irregular attendance.”
A severe summer hail storm caused much damage to our church, necessitating much work. In the fall the balance of the church floor was tiled, another coat of sealer was applied on the outside, the roof was repaired, the rest of the nave painted, a rug was placed on the altar and six folding tables were purchased. (These same six tables are still used by the quilters in 2024!)
Pastor Edward Goetz was called to serve our congregation but did not arrive in Powell until July of 1956. There were 66 new members welcomed during this year, bringing the total baptized membership to 173.
President - Maurice Knutson
Though we now have our own building in which to worship the Lord, there remains much work to be done inside and out. There is the matter of church furniture, and there is lawn to be seeded on the grounds. The church building was dedicated on April 24.
Rev. Moe resigned his position here and left at the end of August. Pastor Mathsen of Cody agreed that he would preach in Powell on Sundays and spend two days each week in Powell, visiting, calling and doing the various necessary duties. In the annual report Rev. Mathsen stated, “This congregation has been afflicted with a severe case of irregular attendance.”
A severe summer hail storm caused much damage to our church, necessitating much work. In the fall the balance of the church floor was tiled, another coat of sealer was applied on the outside, the roof was repaired, the rest of the nave painted, a rug was placed on the altar and six folding tables were purchased. (These same six tables are still used by the quilters in 2024!)
Pastor Edward Goetz was called to serve our congregation but did not arrive in Powell until July of 1956. There were 66 new members welcomed during this year, bringing the total baptized membership to 173.
1954
Pastor - J.M. Moe
President - Maurice Knutson
More than thirty people attended the first annual meeting of this congregation on January 10, with the first installation of church officers held on January 17. On February 7, we had our first adult confirmation and baptism, a class of eight.
On March 3 we held our first midweek Lenten service and on that day the building contract was signed by Pond and Pond. This was approved by the congregation on March 7. A total of 88 people were present at the ground-breaking service on March 14, and by September 12 we held our first service in the new church with 109 souls present.
There was much activity during the summer, with confirmation of six young people on May 23, the first Vacation Bible School with an enrollment of 28 youngsters, the annual congregation picnic at Elk Fork Picnic grounds, and the second membership class for baptism and confirmation.
In September, our church was blessed with a gift of a new Hammond Electronic Organ given to us by Maurice Knutson and Bob Nelson.
The first communion service in the new building was on October 1 and our first Thanksgiving service was on November 28. The first infant baptism was held on December 19 for Pamela Lou Sheets (now Pam Lindshield).
The women of the congregation were a part of the Women’s Missionary Federation – WMF – and had 22 active members. That year they hosted a Cradle Roll Party, hosted a brunch for all women teachers in the public schools, sold vanilla to earn money for a 60-cup coffee urn and new dishes to be purchased for the church. Each woman member was asked to earn $10 in the way of her choice and donate that amount for the dishes.
A quote worth repeating is from the church bulletin on September 12 and written by Pastor Moe where he writes as follows: “Dear members, REACH OUT FOR OTHERS!...Many throughout the church are watching our young congregation with interest. Above all, the Lord of the Church is watching us. He has promised to be with us. Trusting in Him, seeking His presence and His will and His grace, we cannot fail.”
During 1954 there were 52 new members received, giving us a total of 123 baptized and 81 confirmed members. There were 534 visits made by Pastor Moe.
President - Maurice Knutson
More than thirty people attended the first annual meeting of this congregation on January 10, with the first installation of church officers held on January 17. On February 7, we had our first adult confirmation and baptism, a class of eight.
On March 3 we held our first midweek Lenten service and on that day the building contract was signed by Pond and Pond. This was approved by the congregation on March 7. A total of 88 people were present at the ground-breaking service on March 14, and by September 12 we held our first service in the new church with 109 souls present.
There was much activity during the summer, with confirmation of six young people on May 23, the first Vacation Bible School with an enrollment of 28 youngsters, the annual congregation picnic at Elk Fork Picnic grounds, and the second membership class for baptism and confirmation.
In September, our church was blessed with a gift of a new Hammond Electronic Organ given to us by Maurice Knutson and Bob Nelson.
The first communion service in the new building was on October 1 and our first Thanksgiving service was on November 28. The first infant baptism was held on December 19 for Pamela Lou Sheets (now Pam Lindshield).
The women of the congregation were a part of the Women’s Missionary Federation – WMF – and had 22 active members. That year they hosted a Cradle Roll Party, hosted a brunch for all women teachers in the public schools, sold vanilla to earn money for a 60-cup coffee urn and new dishes to be purchased for the church. Each woman member was asked to earn $10 in the way of her choice and donate that amount for the dishes.
A quote worth repeating is from the church bulletin on September 12 and written by Pastor Moe where he writes as follows: “Dear members, REACH OUT FOR OTHERS!...Many throughout the church are watching our young congregation with interest. Above all, the Lord of the Church is watching us. He has promised to be with us. Trusting in Him, seeking His presence and His will and His grace, we cannot fail.”
During 1954 there were 52 new members received, giving us a total of 123 baptized and 81 confirmed members. There were 534 visits made by Pastor Moe.