Our History: 1960s and 1970s
In 1963, the congregation ventured forth in a progressive way to serve the community. A Christian kindergarten began to function in the month of February 1963, for the purpose of preparing children for public school and to teach them the truths of Christianity. Miss Corinne Erickson was called as Immanuel’s first full-time parish worker.
A Junior Choir was re-organized under the direction of Ann Hedman during the time Pastor Bremer served at Immanuel. Junior Choir concerts were given two times a year. They rehearsed regularly and sang at worship services about once each month, and on holidays. There were up to fifty singers in this choir at one time. They continued to sing for fifteen year. As the older children outgrew the choir, there were always new ones to fill the vacancies.
A beautiful new parsonage was built on a piece of land on the Hatley Road, which was given by Mrs. John Richardt in memory of her husband and son, Arnold. The parsonage was built and completed entirely by members of the congregation. Dr. S. C. Siefkes, then President of the North Pacific District of the American Lutheran Church, dedicated the parsonage on January 10, 1965. The first to occupy it were Pastor and Mrs. Orning Fjelstad and family, who arrived in August of 1964.
The Bethel Series Bible Study, a two-year adult course in Christian education, was set in motion in 1964 with Pastor Fjelstad as instructor. These classes were well attended by members and were a great benefit to the congregation. In 1966, the congregation celebrated its 75th anniversary.
In 1970, the interior of the church was remodeled and redecorated in ecclesiastical colors and a new carpet was laid in the chancel and down the center aisle.
The ordination of Richard L. Eggen into the Lutheran ministry by Rev. E. M. Bremer took place on June 27, 1971. Eggen is Immanuel’s first member to become a pastor in the American Lutheran Church. He is the son of Arvid T. and Sylvia Eggen, and grandson of Mrs. Selma Howem and Pastor and Mrs. A. N. Eggen, who served this congregation from 1939 to 1944.
In 1959, the church library was set up in the Parish House under the direction of the women of the church. As a memorial to Barbara Anderson, daughter of Art and Dorothy Anderson, new bookshelves were donated and installed in 1974. The outdoor ‘Agape’ kitchen was built and complete on the church property in 1972.
A new Rodgers electric organ was installed to replace the Hammond, which had been in service for over twenty-five years and in need of extensive repairs. This beautiful new Rodgers organ was dedicated on December 14, 1975. It was paid for by a bike-a-thon and many memorials and gifts from friends and members.
In 1979, the Sweitzer property located on the Hatley Road between the parsonage and the church became the possession of Immanuel, according to the agreement at the time of purchase in 1969. The building on the property was remodeled and redecorated, and made into the pastor’s study, a large meeting room, and a kitchenette. It seemed most fitting to name this building the Solvik Center in honor of Jens Solvik, who had served this congregation in so many ways and so faithfully for many years. On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 1979, the Solvik Center was dedicated and promptly put into service.