The History of West Clermont Lutheran
It was on March 31, 1915, that a meeting was held when it was decided to build a church in Clermont and the congregation of West Clermont Lutheran church was organized. Through tireless efforts and many donations from members and friends, the church was built at a cost of $15,000. It was dedicated on May 28, 1916, by Rev. T.H. Dahl, the president of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
The first child baptized in the West Clermont church was Miss Agnes Anderson, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Anderson. Her baptismal dress and cap hangs in our fellowship hall. The first wedding was Melvin Johnson and Ella Grossman. The first funeral, was Mrs L. Vasby.
Before West Clermont was built a Sunday School was organized and met regularly at the home of Mrs Rangdi Nelson. Later, as the organization grew, they met in the Methodist church in Clermont. Mr. Lars Skaien was the first superintendent of the Sunday School and served actively there for many years. He was assisted by his daughter, Maria.
The Sunday School met in session the whole year with no vacation. Christmas and Easter programs were given regularly and a Sunday School picnic was held once during the summer months.
The Sunday School met for the first time in the church basement in December of 1915. The Rev. C.H. Hjortholm preached the sermon and had as his text from Matthew 14:22-32.
On November 24, 1963 the new Education Unit was dedicated. Rev. Roger Peterson was pastor at this time.
The first child baptized in the West Clermont church was Miss Agnes Anderson, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert Anderson. Her baptismal dress and cap hangs in our fellowship hall. The first wedding was Melvin Johnson and Ella Grossman. The first funeral, was Mrs L. Vasby.
Before West Clermont was built a Sunday School was organized and met regularly at the home of Mrs Rangdi Nelson. Later, as the organization grew, they met in the Methodist church in Clermont. Mr. Lars Skaien was the first superintendent of the Sunday School and served actively there for many years. He was assisted by his daughter, Maria.
The Sunday School met in session the whole year with no vacation. Christmas and Easter programs were given regularly and a Sunday School picnic was held once during the summer months.
The Sunday School met for the first time in the church basement in December of 1915. The Rev. C.H. Hjortholm preached the sermon and had as his text from Matthew 14:22-32.
On November 24, 1963 the new Education Unit was dedicated. Rev. Roger Peterson was pastor at this time.
Project Hope
On February 3, 2002 during a special Sunday meeting, the congregation voted (a whopping majority of 79.5 percent) to approve the new addition. The plans would include installing an elevator, large enough to accommodate caskets during funerals and would add over 3,000 sq. ft. of space including office space for the pastor and the church secretary. New handicapped accessible restrooms were put in and a ground level entrance. The old office space was remodeled into classroom space for the Sunday School.
On Palm Sunday, March 24, 2002 WCLC officially broke ground on the new addition—Project Hope. Members gathered with shovels in hand with the choir singing in honor of the occasion. On Saturday, April 6, 2002 members removed the southwest entrance to the church. I took the crew, an excavator, and a skid loader six hours to complete the job. The ladies of the church were on hand to serve them a hearty lunch.
On June 1, 2003 Project Hope was dedicated. Pastor Jen Andreas led the ceremony. June Swenson directed the Sr. Choir in a dedication hymn. Former Pastor Joe Nesheim attended the ceremony and shared a few words. One of the general contractors, Millard Nelson told of all the steps to complete Project Hope. Many people….lots of hard work!!
Sharing a Century of God's Grace
In 2015, West Clermont Lutheran Church celebrated our 100th Anniversary. Three special events took place to commemorate this event.
The first was an anniversary worship service on Friday, March 27th. Service began with the church bell being tolled 100 times by our 100th Confirmation Class, calling us to service. Pastor Jill Mack, daughter to Al & Janann Seabrooke and former WCLC member, along with Pastor Joelle Colville-Hanson from the NEIA Synod presided over the service. Both the adult and junior choirs offered special music for the celebration with a special musical performance by Kathy Havenstrite. Fellowship and a potluck followed the service.
The next event was a performance by the Luren Singers out of Decorah. They offered an afternoon concert on Sunday, April 12th. This event was very well attended and helped to kick off the Anniversary raffle. It was a special afternoon with wonderful music. Fellowship with finger sandwiches and bars followed the performance.
The final celebration was held on Sunday, June 14th. The day started with worship service including special music by the adult and junior choirs. Following service everyone gathered outside for a 100th Anniversary photo taken by congregation member, Marti Swenson. The time capsule buried in 1990 (the 75th Anniversary) was opened following the picture. Unfortunately there was not much to salvage, as water had damaged the items within the plastic container. A 100th Anniversary time capsule/vault was placed in the church vault. After this everyone enjoyed a wonderful meal catered by congregation member, Cindy Thias. The afternoon events continued with the 100th Anniversary raffle drawing and Music and Memories. The final act of the day was the tolling of the church bell by Haley Jacobsen who was part of the 100th Confirmation class, who rang the first 50 tolls, and by Hunter Cummings who is part of the 101st Confirmation class, who rang the last 50 tolls +1, to ring us into our next century.
It was truly a memorable day.
The 100th Anniversary committee designated remaining funds be used as follows; money was to be available to refurbish an original altar bible; this would preserve our past. $600 was then donated to ELCA Good Gifts offering stewardship to honor the present. Remaining funds were to be used to repair the front entry archway to the church which would welcome members now and in the future.
On Palm Sunday, March 24, 2002 WCLC officially broke ground on the new addition—Project Hope. Members gathered with shovels in hand with the choir singing in honor of the occasion. On Saturday, April 6, 2002 members removed the southwest entrance to the church. I took the crew, an excavator, and a skid loader six hours to complete the job. The ladies of the church were on hand to serve them a hearty lunch.
On June 1, 2003 Project Hope was dedicated. Pastor Jen Andreas led the ceremony. June Swenson directed the Sr. Choir in a dedication hymn. Former Pastor Joe Nesheim attended the ceremony and shared a few words. One of the general contractors, Millard Nelson told of all the steps to complete Project Hope. Many people….lots of hard work!!
Sharing a Century of God's Grace
In 2015, West Clermont Lutheran Church celebrated our 100th Anniversary. Three special events took place to commemorate this event.
The first was an anniversary worship service on Friday, March 27th. Service began with the church bell being tolled 100 times by our 100th Confirmation Class, calling us to service. Pastor Jill Mack, daughter to Al & Janann Seabrooke and former WCLC member, along with Pastor Joelle Colville-Hanson from the NEIA Synod presided over the service. Both the adult and junior choirs offered special music for the celebration with a special musical performance by Kathy Havenstrite. Fellowship and a potluck followed the service.
The next event was a performance by the Luren Singers out of Decorah. They offered an afternoon concert on Sunday, April 12th. This event was very well attended and helped to kick off the Anniversary raffle. It was a special afternoon with wonderful music. Fellowship with finger sandwiches and bars followed the performance.
The final celebration was held on Sunday, June 14th. The day started with worship service including special music by the adult and junior choirs. Following service everyone gathered outside for a 100th Anniversary photo taken by congregation member, Marti Swenson. The time capsule buried in 1990 (the 75th Anniversary) was opened following the picture. Unfortunately there was not much to salvage, as water had damaged the items within the plastic container. A 100th Anniversary time capsule/vault was placed in the church vault. After this everyone enjoyed a wonderful meal catered by congregation member, Cindy Thias. The afternoon events continued with the 100th Anniversary raffle drawing and Music and Memories. The final act of the day was the tolling of the church bell by Haley Jacobsen who was part of the 100th Confirmation class, who rang the first 50 tolls, and by Hunter Cummings who is part of the 101st Confirmation class, who rang the last 50 tolls +1, to ring us into our next century.
It was truly a memorable day.
The 100th Anniversary committee designated remaining funds be used as follows; money was to be available to refurbish an original altar bible; this would preserve our past. $600 was then donated to ELCA Good Gifts offering stewardship to honor the present. Remaining funds were to be used to repair the front entry archway to the church which would welcome members now and in the future.
What We Believe
As Lutherans we accept the Bible as the inspired word of God and the true source of Christian love, guidance and doctrine.
We believe that the central teaching of the Word of God is justification by grace through faith alone.
We believe that through Christ’s death and resurrection we are forgiven and called to live in the freedom of God’s grace.
As Lutherans we believe that God’s Word and promise come to us through the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We affirm and confess the Triune God as confessed in the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds.
We also believe that as part of Christ’s church, we are not just members but disciples. We believe that God wants us to be involved in studying and applying the Word of God in our daily lives.
We believe that the central teaching of the Word of God is justification by grace through faith alone.
We believe that through Christ’s death and resurrection we are forgiven and called to live in the freedom of God’s grace.
As Lutherans we believe that God’s Word and promise come to us through the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
We affirm and confess the Triune God as confessed in the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds.
We also believe that as part of Christ’s church, we are not just members but disciples. We believe that God wants us to be involved in studying and applying the Word of God in our daily lives.
