F:\FF_HPAGE\FAM_FNDS\KIRONB~1\KBC40Yr.htm
(From an old newspaper clipping -- probably the Kiron News)

Beautiful Kiron Rejoices
In Handsome New Church

Dedication and 40th Anniversary Services
of Thanksgiving Last for Ten Days.

STORY OF THE CHURCH BUILDING RETOLD

Entire Community Participates in Pride over the Wonderful
Accomplishments of these Earnest Workers Who
Have Added This, Fine Edifice to Their
Thriving City.


The past ten days have been most important ones for the Baptists. Events that long will be pleasantly remembered by them and which will go down in their church history and be read with interest by their succeeding generations have taken place. The first session commenced on Friday evening with a song service led by Rev. Gustave Nyquist of St. Paul, followed by an address of welcome by the pastor, Rev. A. Lagerquist. The baptistry was dedicated for service when the rite of baptism was administered to two persons. Rev. A. Noraberg of Gowrie gave an address. his subject being, "The Significance of Songs in our Religious Service," which was practically demonstrated at the close of his speech by five small girls arrayed in white dresses, who appeared on the platform and very beautifully sang two songs fol. lowed by the choir, which had especially been trained for this conference and event.

Saturday morning's session was devoted to listening to an address by Rev. L. Johanson of Sioux City. his theme being, "Reasonable Worship of God" and he brought the thought forth that it meant an entire service and devotion to God of a person's being. All he possesses should be brought in line to serve God and the result in such a service would result in joy and rich blessings in this present life and the unspeakable reward for eternity. Rev. Linder of Forest City followed him with an address on the subject, "The Young People and their training for Christ and the Church." In this afternoon session Rev. A. Lagerquist gave a very interesting and well prepared lecture on the subject. "The Church of God." At the close of this session Maurice Sjogren read a brief history of the Baptist church here during the past forty years which was followed by' short addresses from former pastors of the church, who were present, and a number of the elder members of the church, who testified to the wonderful work of an all wise hand which had led,, guided and blessed in the past years. Of the members who spoke were I. Michaelson. John Erickson, H. Hallander and Mrs. John Sandberg. Rev. J. A. Jader followed with a very interesting and Inspiring address in which be urged the church not only to look back and review its work but to push on for the future :and accomplish. greater things

The evening session was devoted to listening to a sermon by Rev. L. Johanson of Sioux City, who in his original and sincere method reminded the church of the great truth that God has done all things well. Sunday dawned with great expectancy and anticipation, which was to be the great day of the dedication festival. At the Sunday School service addresses were listened to by Chas. K. Meyers, and Rev. L. W. Linder of Forest City. Rev. J. A. Jader of Omaha occupied the forenoon hour by delivering a most able and inspiring sermon using as his text, Matt. 21:1-11. He is a good speaker and his address was among the best delivered (luring the conference bringing forth good thoughts and making practical application to his listeners.

The afternoon preaching which commenced at 2:30 was preceded by Rev. S. A. Johnanson of Arthur who devoted a short time in a warm exhortation. A song service followed,

led by Rev. Gustave Nyquist. Rev. E. Rosen preached on the subject of the congregation and the community's attitude towards the Lord's House. The speaker said that he took it fur granted that the church was the Lord's House and pictured the blessing the new church would be to its congregation. a place to which they could invite the people to come and worship and listen to the gospel. The new church be showed, in various ways was a credit to the town and entire locality and especially an honor to the Baptists. He cited to the various rooms in which the church work could be conducted in a practical way viz. the Sunday School, prayer, and preaching service, and the choir practice, and also the library and its influences for good. He eulogized the practical arrangements and conveniences. and up-to-date style of the building, which he stated was the results of modern architecture He voiced the fact that every church was designed not alone for its members to their good but for the welfare of the entire community and public. A solo, "Don't forget that Jesus loves you" was very ably rendered by P. C. Lawrence.

Rev. A. Lagerquist gave a short history of the building of the church from the time it first came up for consideration all through the preparation and erection of the same At the close of his remarks he read the report of the finance committee, which will be found in the notes of the conference. This address and report was of interest to many in his audience who had watched the progress of erecting the church. The sliding door of the baptistry was raised and the beautiful landscape painting on the rear wall was shown which Rev. Lagerquist stated was the artistic work of Rev. A. Nordberg of Gowrie Iowa. Rev. A. Lindholm, pastor of the church in Ida county which is a branch of this church in a few words congratulated the mother church upon its success, and saying the daughter church rejoiced together with her upon the occasion. Rev. LaReau of Denison the next speaker (who was present and assisted in the laying of the corner stone ceremonies last summer) complimented the Baptist people upon the completion of their new temple, which he said should be dedicated from basement to garret to the honor and glory of God.

Rev. LaReau spoke in the evening and preached a most excellent sermon which was attentively listened to and will long be remembered by many. Rev. LeReau is a favorable speaker and has a very pleasing and effective delivery. To detail every meeting which continued during the entire week would take too much work and space. Every meeting was attended by a goodly number and especially the evening sessions when it was possible for many to attend who were unable to be present during the day
 



  (From an old newspaper clipping -- probably the Kiron News)


KIRON PEOPLE PRAISE PASTOR.
UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP THE SWEDISH BAPTISTS OF KIRON DO WONDERS
PASTOR THE SUPERINTENDENT.
Biographical Sketch of Stalwart Swedish
Pastor Whose Enthusiasm and Energy
lnspired Kiron People to Help.


 


Rev. A. Lagerquist was born in Eskelstuna, Sweden May 6, 1871. in a home that was deprived of much of this world's goods and his parents were unable to be given him more than a common school education. His mother was of German descent, her parents emigrated from Germany and located in Sweden during the reign of King Gustaf 111. His father engaged in the manufacturing of table cutlery. At the age of 12 years, he had to leave his home to go out and earn his own living and so was deprived of the influence of a home and the limited comforts of the same which means so much to a young boy of that age. From his early youth at different times God's Spirit strove with him to give his heart to God. This was no doubt the result of his mother's prayers and training in, the home and the influence of the Sunday School of which he became a member when at the age of four years old. In the year of 1888, Jan. 25th, he yielded to the voice of God and was converted and the following month was baptized and joined the Baptist church. He met with opposition from his parents, owing to this step he had taken, as they were strict members of the State church and devout observers of its doctrines. Very soon after his conversion he became a worker in the Sunday School and preached the word in neighboring towns. .

About a year later be emigrated to America, and landed in Chicago in May 1890 where he for sometime followed the carpenter trade, which he had learned under his Sunday School teacher's instructions in Sweden. He became a very active member of the Baptist church in Englewood, especially in the Sunday School and among the young people and was a very effective worker against the cursed liquor traffic which at different times brought on him the wrath of the saloon keepers, who threatened violence against him.

While in Sweden, as well as America he was urged by many enter the ministry, and when he felt God's calling he entered in
that work. He entered the Morgan Park school Oct. 1893, where he received his training for the work to which he should devote his
entire time. His first vacation from his school period was spent preaching to the Baptist congregation at Swede Bend. Iowa. The following year he accepted a call from a congregation at Austin III where his labor proved a blessing and inspiration and an uplift to the church., which had fallen into a depressed condition, In 1895 he accepted a call to work at Rock Island, where he labored for three years.

On May 6. 1897. he was united in marriage to Josephine Erickson. who was the oldest of five sisters, and we followed the carpenter trade, which the number. In 1899 he accepted a

Continued on page 2. (The continuation of this article was not available.)
 


(From an old newspaper clipping -- probably  the Kiron News)

CHURCH ORGANIZED AUGUST 1868

Names of Early Pastors and Leaders Given.
How the Funds for the New Church Were Raised


 


In the very early days of this Swedish settlement a number. who had came from their fatherland where they had learned to serve and love their God, gathered to discuss their duty and the possibility of taking up religious work which they felt was an undisputed necessity for the maintenance of their spiritual life and to implant the Gospel into the minds and hearts of their children. The result of their desires and determination terminated into the organizing of the First Baptist church of Kiron August 16th. 1868, with a membership of seventeen, who were: N. Lindberg, C. P. Frodig, C. J. Star. A. Anderson, N. P. Erickson, James Anderson, W. Peterson, P. Carlson, J. Hagglund, Mr. Back. Mrs. Frodig, Mrs. Hagglund, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Erickson, Mrs. Louisa Duncan. I. Michaelson, H. Hallander. Of these seventeen, twelve have ceased their labor in this world and passed on into the land from whence no man returns, nine of this number having died in Kiron, one in Dakota and two in Nebraska. Of the five living pioneer members, three live in the town of Kiron, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Erickson and Mrs. Louisa Duncan, Mr.I. Michaelson, resides on the old homestead one mile south of town, and H. Hallander resides five miles north of town in Ida county.

The first meetings prior to the organizing of the church were held in the dugouts, where the new settlers gathered to worship and praise their God for his kindness and goodness and to listen to the preaching of the word by H. Hallander. Later when school houses were built they gathered in these. for religious services. Some of our pioneers will especially remember the C. J. Star school house where they met so many times. C. P. Frodig was chosen leader when the church was first organized and was pastor up to January 1870, when A. Norelius was called to succeed him. He had charge of the work from that year up to December

(missing parts)

was donated to the church by N. Anderson. In the year of 1888 the building was partly remodeled and enlarged to the exact likeness of the cut, which we present the Review readers this week. It will recognized by many all over the county, who have passed along the road by the church property which for many years was on the main road between Denison and Odebolt. The remodeling work done in 1888 cost $1.100. The first parsonage' was erected in 1877 at a cost of $270.

When the railroad was built and New Kiron sprung up the Baptists decided to move the church into town. This was done in the year 1899. The old parsonage was not moved but sold to its present occupant and owner, P. M. Sjogren, for the sum of $550, including the land. A new parsonage was built in Kiron the same

(missing parts)

the committee somewhat but they finally surmounted the difficulty by deciding to undertake the project themselves and to utilize their own skill and labor. This has resulted in the erection of the sightly and beautiful building, in as able a way, as could have been done by expert contractors. Rev. A. Lagerquist superintended the work with Joseph Engberg as foreman. Work was given to every available man in town who wanted work. The work was conducted in a pleasant and cheerful manner and during the entire period was free from controversy or unpleasantness. The excavating and considerable other work was done free by members of the church and others. The energetic and capable work of the pastor was graciously done and the church is indebted to him for his faithful and burdensome labor in

(missing parts)
and to invite the public and in which they can carry on their church work in a practical way. The practical arrangements and conveniences
and up-to-date style of the building is the result of modern architecture.


 Return to Kiron Baptist Church History TOC
Revised 2 Sept 1999