One of the first things the early settlers were concerned about was to gather for Christian worship. There was no resident pastor, but Rev. T.K. Thorvilson came out from Winnipeg to conduct services once a month. He was met at Kamsack at the train station. Horse-drawn sleigh or buggy was the transportation from there. The first Lutheran service was held in the home of John E. Johnson in September 1906.
On November 11/1906, there was a meeting held for the purpose of organizing a congregation. Rev. Thorvilson was present as a representative of the Synod Mission of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod. The people present gave praise and thanks to God for Rev. Thorvilson’s ministry of Word and Sacrament in their midst. He was called to serve the congregation until a full time pastor was available. The meeting was attended by: John E. Johnson (secretary), Abraham Hoped, Engvald Reine, Edward Johnson, Hans Anderson, Henry K. Haugen, Christoffer Anderson, Bernard Johnson, M.J. Haugen, A.J.Anderson, J. Rotvig, Peter M. Hanson, M.A. Bjerke, Oscar Bjerke and K. Thorvilson.
On request of the home mission of the Norwegian United Lutheran Synod Rev. H.L. Urness of Preeceville visited the congregation in September/1911. Because of Rev. Thorvilson’s ministry under the Norwegian Lutheran Synod he decided that it would not be proper for him to begin a work in that district. However, the congregation repeatedly asked Rev. Urness to consider serving it because distance prevented Rev. Thorvilson from coming more than once a month. Rev. Urness again met with the congregation during Easter, 1912.
A letter from Rev. Thorvilson was read at the meeting. The letter made it clear that the Norwegian Lutheran Synod would discontinue its work at Norquay if the Norwegian United Lutheran Synod decided to take it up. Therefore, the congregation decided to reorganize under the Norwegian United Lutheran Synod. Rev. Urness agreed to serve the congregation.
On Jun. 03/1912, Rev. Urness conducted worship service in the Mission Church, next to the A. Johnson place. A business meeting was held to consider reorganization. J.E. Johnson was appointed temporary secretary. The model constitution of the Norwegian United Lutheran Synod was adopted. Because the Preeceville parish already had a congregation with the name Emmanuel the name Norquay Lutheran Church was adopted. A special request was made that all funeral services were to be conducted in accordance with the constitution.
Rev. Urness instructed the first confirmation class which participated in the Rite of Confirmation in 1912 at the old Mission Church. Members of the class were: Justin Hovde, Arnold Haugen, Anna and Noel Heskin, Ruth and Maria Johnson, Ella Paulson, Tilda, Jennie and Petra Hanson.
At a business meeting held in Jul./1912, a three-man committee: Amund Paulson, Christian Heskin, and Christoffer Anderson, was elected to search for suitable land on which to build a church. After many suggestions, it was decided to accept Mr. Lars Johnson’s offer of two acres of land located 2 ½ miles north of Norquay. Subscriptions to raise money to build the church were soon started. The Ladies’s Aid helped pay for lumber which was sawed at Engvald Reine’s mill. The work began in 1914 and was completed in 1916. Services were conducted in the Mission Church and in the homes of members from 1906 until the church was complete.
It is interesting to note that the men sat on the right and the women and children on the left. Some old timers said that was probably because the families came by teams of horses at the beginning and they would drop the women and kids off at the church and then take care of the horses, either putting them in the barn or feeding them. That tradition carried on for a few years. The first pastors also spoke in Norwegian and I guess that continued on until their children started marrying into other nationalities and many couldn’t understand the services.
In 1914, Rev. Urness left the Preeceville parish. Following the terms of three pastors he was called again in 1920. At that time a new parsonage was built at Preeceville. The Norquay congregation had a share in building the parsonage which was located next to St. John Lutheran Church in Preeceville. The building was later used as an office and a suite for intern pastors.
On Jun. 15/1924, the Yorkton circuit conference was hosted by the congregation. Many improvements to the sanctuary were made prior to the occasion. At the conference, District President, Rev. J.J. Akre laid the cornerstone of the church. Missionary Ronning also spoke to the large crowd.
During the winter months the church was very cold and the roads were impassable. From the 1920's to the 1950's, services were held at other places during the winter months. At various times in that period, services were held at Swan School, Norquay School and the United church in Norquay, as well as people’s homes.
In 1940, a basement was added to the church. In the same year the Yorkton circuit Luther League met in convention at the church. The guests’ speakers were Missionary T. Ronning and Dr. J.R. Lavik, President of Luther Seminary in Saskatoon. At the convention, the cornerstone for the new basement was laid.
The 35th Anniversary of the congregation was celebrated on Aug. 10/1941.
In 1949, a new low ceiling was installed in the church. A balcony and cloak room were added and some insulating was also done. The church was moved to its present location in Norquay in 1954. The congregation still uses the cemetery at the old church yard north of Norquay.
In 1958, the Trinity Lutheran church in Swan River, Man., requested that Norquay Lutheran church join its Parish. The congregation was not anxious to make such a change, but it was encouraged to do so by the head office in order to give more stability to Trinity. The Norquay Lutheran Church congregation voted on Oct. 01/1958, to join with the Trinity Lutheran church in a Parish alignment. This relationship continued without interruption until Pastor Charles Fox resigned in 1969. In 1963 the church changed its name back to Norquay Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
For a number of years, there was no full time pastor, but the congregation maintained regular worship services using supply pastors whenever available. Otherwise, the members used prepared sermons. Lavern Hoveland, Ken Herfindahl, Larry Fullerton, and Jim Symons were among those who supplied at various intervals. In 1974, Jim Symons was actually the full time pastor of a parish including Norquay, Swan River, and Birch River.
Norquay Emmanuel returned to the Preeceville parish in Jan./1976, while Rev. Dan Haugen was serving the parish. The Preeceville parish then consisted of Norquay, Buchanan, North Prairie and Preeceville. From 1976 - 1986, the Parish had been served by one ordained pastor and one intern pastor; both living in Preeceville. In 1977, the parish decided to build a new parsonage in Preeceville. Norquay Emmanuel paid its share of the cost and cleared its debt in 1980.
On Aug. 9/1981, the church congregation celebrated its 75th anniversary.
In 1987, the Preeceville Parish was dissolved as a three point parish and Buchanan and Norquay became one Parish with the Pastor living in Buchanan. Pastor Greg Fowlie-Neufeld was the first pastor of this new Parish. Our church congregation numbers are declining so at present we contract our Pastor so only have her on Sundays and one day every other week. In the fall of 2005, the Buchanan-Norquay Parish decided to share our pastor with Melville. Pastor Kim Sherwin is our present Pastor.
The Ladies Aid has been an integral part of Emmanuel’s life from the beginning. At a meeting in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Johnson, the ladies’s Aid was organized on Oct. 06/1907. Eleven ladies joined as members, with Mrs. Bernard Johnson the first President.
The men also went to the Ladies meetings in the beginning, as they had to drive the ladies there and no doubt stayed out of their way and had a good visit with the other men, showing up only when the coffee and goodies were ready. The next mention of the ladies aid was in 1911, when it states that they paid John Haugen $30 for sawing lumber for the church. It even mentions that they loaned money out at 6% interest to several people and that all the loans were paid in full. The first recorded names of an executive was in 1914, when the President was Mrs. Lars (Anna) Sjolie, Vice, Mrs. Christian (Ida Malvina) Johnson; and Sec-Treas., Mrs. Albert (Ida Caroline) Johnson to make a total of 17 members altogether.
The Ladies’s Aid played a large part in the building and furnishing of the church. Over the years, it has purchased two organs, hymn books, the altar and altar railing and helped with the purchase of the pews, pulpit, baptismal font, and altar paraments, among other things. Our third organ was donated to us in 1998 by Ron Larson of Regina. In 1950, the altar painting was bought by the Ladies’s Aid in honour of the pioneer members. In the early years the ladies were often called upon to pay part of the pastor’s salary and the upkeep of the parsonage. They did this, mainly through quilt raffles and lutefisk and meatball suppers, which were discontinued in the early 60's. Can you imagine doing all of this without running water, even after they moved to Norquay? Remember when Art Woodall carried the water through the back door of the church by water pails? He drove that old English truck with the steering wheel on the opposite side. Then for years they used an old wood cookstove in the basement which must have made the place like a sauna. It wasn’t until about 1965 that the church installed the sewer and water.
To this day, the ladies of Emmanuel are vital to the congregation. Their organization was changed to the Evangelical Lutheran Church Women (ELCW) but is called the Emmanuel Lutheran Women (ELW) today. They also take their turn at hosting World Day of Prayer and Yorkton ELW conventions. They hold yearly rummage sales in which most of the proceeds are donated to charity. They help the council out now and then by supplying doors, storm windows, furnace, and hand over money when needed. The ELW send out nursery packets to newly baptized members. They also began covering the cost of making and mailing out several newsletters a year to members near and far, since 1988 and are compiled by Marlene Jacquemart.
Luther League was first organized at a meeting presided over by Rev. P.C. Haaland on Jul. 05/1935. The first officers were: President, Miss Willa Robinson; Secretary, Miss Belma Iverson and Treasurer, Miss Mabel Haugen. The league has done work at Nelson Lake Bible Camp, contributed to Missions, and purchased items for the church. In the past, Luther League was a family organization, but changed later to just teenagers. Many times the Lutheran Luther League joined up with the Covenant Young people for get-together’s at either church. The Norquay Luther League folded up in 1968.
An important part of church was always the Sunday school, and the many dedicated teachers over the years, but it takes many volunteers to run it and needs children to attend. Alton Johnson was superintendent for many years and taught two generations of children. It seems like now, it has fallen by the wayside. The church also held Vacation Bible school in the summer for a number of years.
Even though the Norquay Emmanuel Lutheran congregation is small in numbers they are strong in faith and are still struggling to keep the church going.
The Lutheran Cemetery is almost as old as the congregation, being established in 1912. The first burial had been in 1907. * Two acres of land was donated by Lars Johnson and the church was built on this site in 1914-1916.
The original cemetery plans were lost, but were re-drawn as accurately as memory could serve. This may explain the three unknown graves.
The Mission church and community cemetery also served the Norwegian Lutheran Congregation between its formation in 1906 and the completion of the church in 1916.
Prairie graveyards almost always face east, as does the Lutheran Cemetery. This reflects our belief that Christ will rise again, just as the sun rises each time it sets.
The graveyard has many stories, some we know, and some we don’t, about the people buried there. The many tombstones with the names of infants and small children remind us that the prairies in the early 1900's were a harsh and sometimes deadly place to be young and vulnerable. Some causes such as diphtheria, typhoid and appendicitis have been drastically reduced or eliminated. Others, such as crib death, accidents, and certain diseases remain as much of a heartache today as they were for our ancestors.
You will notice several deaths resulting from the Spanish flu outbreak of 1918. It was difficult to find pall-bearers to carry the dead as people were so fearful. At least one burial took place without a funeral as people were afraid of gathering in groups.
There are many resting in our cemetery who served their country in World War One and World War Two. These graves are marked with a Maple Leaf. There is also an American Army Veteran, reflecting the immigration of Norwegians from the USA.
Saskatchewan is a relatively young province, and our heritage sites are very new by world standards. Graveyards are some of our most significant non-native historical sites. As with all things, there are also fashions in tombstones. Finances often dictate the ornateness of the marker, but are not a measure of the loving remembrance.
In the early 1900's, simple granite slabs with basic dates and the name were common. Often a Bible verse or statement expressing Christian acceptance was included. Through the years, markers have become more personalized, depicting the person’s interests or livelihood and expressing sentiments important in their lifetime. Doves and lambs are often used to mark the graves of children. Perhaps a gentling touch on the saddest of realities.
Most of us who have ties to the Lutheran Congregation also have family in this graveyard. It is a quiet resting place for all and we hope peace and solace can be found by all who have come in mourning.
Marilyn (nee Knutson) Gazdewich
June 22/2006
* Actually the grave in question was Emma Johnson, who died July 3/1907 at the age of 14 years. Her body was exhumed after the cemetery was ready, from Almer Gronsdahl’s farm and moved to the present location.
Note: Spruce trees donated by Brad & Vi Knutson were planted around the cemetery in 2000 after all the trees and brush were cleared off the yard. More trees were received from Indian Head the next year to make a total of two rows. Many people have donated spruce trees to replace the trees that didn’t survive.
Just before the 100th anniversary of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church on Jul. 22 & 23/2006, Marilyn Gazdewich wrote the names of more than 30 people who were buried in unmarked graves, on ordinary bricks and dug them to ground level so that lawn mowers could cut grass over them.
A Mountain Ash was planted and dedicated to the early pioneers during the 100th anniversary celebration on Jul. 22/2006. A steel bench constructed by Gordon Erickson and donated by he and his wife Genoveve, Art & Clemy Severson and Martha Gronsdahl, all of Norquay, rests near the tree.
Updates by Marlene (nee Heskin) Jacquemart
The present Church Council is: Chairman - Jack Jacquemart; Vice-Chairperson - Martha Gronsdahl; Secretary - Marilyn Gazdewich; Treasurer - Alton Johnson; Trustees - Darin Jacquemart, Don Schweigert, Alvin Anderson; Deacons - Genoveve Erickson (organist), Lynn Schweigert, and Ida Johnson.
The present ELW is: President - Marlene Jacquemart (organist); Vice-president - Phyllis Knutson; Secretary - Clarice Newman; Treasurer - Lynn Schweigert; Program Directors - Carol Heskin, Margaret Jacquemart and Marilyn Gazdewich and Cards - Helen Heskin.
Many more people whose names aren’t mentioned, help to make the church a success, such as the collection plate ushers, singers, phoners, carpenters, church cleaners and grass cutters.
Look up I Corinthians 12:12-26. That is about Norquay, the churches, Parishes and families all working together as one.
We would like to dedicate this booklet to the families of the many hard working pioneers, pastors, leaders, volunteers and worshipers that helped make this church a success for the past 100 years.
100th Anniversary Events - 2006
Sat., Jul. 22 - 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Registration, light lunch,
kiddies entertainment, & displays at Lutheran Church
Sat., Jul. 22 - 5 p.m. - Banquet at Communiplex
7 p.m. - Variety show at Communiplex
Sun., Jul. 22 - 10 a.m. - Service at church- Pastor Bob Jarock
Noon - Barbecue & games at church
3 p.m. - Service at church- Pastor Kim Sherwin
For more information contact myself at jmjacque@sasktel.net or Don Schweigert at lyndons@sasktel.net. Don is the one who maintains the town of Norquay web site.