Bergen Lutheran Church celebrates its heritage

Bergen Lutheran Church is hosting its second annual Heritage Fest, honoring and celebrating its Scandinavian ancestry. Please join us on Sunday, Dec. 10 between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the church fellowship hall for a Scandinavian meal featuring Swedish meatballs, ham, potatoes, red cabbage, sweet soup and more. As a special treat, egg coffee will be served to compliment an array of delicious Scandinavian treats for dessert. Free will donations will be accepted.

The Norwegian Lutheran Congregation was organized on Oct. 8, 1864, near Vermillion. This congregation included the Norwegian Lutherans in Clay, Union, and Yankton counties. In 1867, this extensive congregation was divided into three districts – Bergen in Clay County, Brule Creek in Union County and Vangen in Yankton County.

In the spring of 1871, construction began on a church building for the Bergen congregation and the first services were held July 19, 1871. The building was not complete until 1891 when the bell tower was added. The Bergen Lutheran Congregation was officially incorporated in 1886.

The present church building was constructed in 1909 and 1910 with the cornerstone being laid Oct. 3, 1909 and dedication on June 11, 1911. Construction of the fellowship hall addition began in 1995 and was dedicated on June 29, 1997.