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History of Fish Lake Lutheran Church
Minnesota had been a state for only 9 years. Chisago County, having been formed when Minnesota was a territory, was 15 years old. The Civil War had ended only 2 years earlier and Fish Lake Township did not exist yet. Following are some of the key dates in the history of Fish Lake Lutheran Church.
1861
The first white settlers arrive on the north shore of Fish Lake.
1864
Jonas Magny gives the first sermon in the Fish Lake area.
1867
Rev. Henengran organizes the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Fish Lake with services being held in homes.
1868
Services begin to be held in the school house at Fish Lake.
1870
The congregation is given 40 acres of land by the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railway Co. in which to build their church.
1873
Construction of the church begins.
1875
The church is completed.
1886
The church is struck by lightning and burned to the ground. The current church building is constructed on the same site.
1889
The newly formed Ladies Aid pay for painting the church interior.
1902
A church resolution is passed that all those who wished to tie their horses below the church furnish their own posts, at least 6 inches square and 6 feet long.
1906
The Young People's Society donate the money to purchase the new organ.
1914
The Young People's Society raise money for the installation of gas lights.
1922
The envelope system of pledges was adopted and dues were set at 15 cents a week for men, and 10 cents a week for women.
1944
Services in Swedish were limited to one each month.
1946
Swedish was dropped from the official name of the church.
1965
The congregation dedicated the new church basement.
1998
The inside of the church was completely renovated to match the 19th Century building.
2001
The church exterior was renovated and repainted.
May we always remember our Fish Lake Founders. They were hearty, church-going people who ventured into the unknown wilderness seeking a better life for themselves and future generations yet unborn. They cleared the land to build their homes and made their humble living from the soil. Their possessions were few and their hardships many, but their faith remained strong in their hearts and homes. The people of Fish Lake Lutheran today resemble its founders in their character, commitment, faith, and devotion to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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