The history of this church is a part of the history of the lives of these sturdy Norwegian settlers who came to Minnesota when it was nothing but a virgin prairie, with roving bands of Indians to threaten and only by their supreme in Almighty God were they able to withstand the hardships which they were compelled to undergo. These pioneer fathers and mothers labored early and late, with none of our present day comforts, and as they quietly folded their hands at the end of their life's journey, could be content that they had done well. They had seen the prairie develop into beautiful farm homes leaving a heritage to their children far beyond the hopes of the most optimistic.
The history of the church is filled with much that is of interest. It was in the early sixties that these Norwegian Lutherans came to Minnesota and began to take up claims on the Winnebago reservation in the Medo and adjoining townships. A tornado in 1879 destroyed the first church building and the home of the secretary so that the records were lost, hence the early history of the church is taken from the memories of the earliest settlers still remaining.
The first church services in the settlement were held in the home of Lars Brekke with Rev. N.A. Quammen, who served as pastor of eight congregations near Farmington from 1866 to 1912 officiating. The first service of the official Medo Lutheran Church was conducted by Rev. Torger H. Dahl in the home of Anfin Anderson Ringheim.
As far as can be ascertained the settlers present at the first meeting of the church were Louis Severson, Thron Hoverson, Ole Englebritson, Sjur Vieg, Lars Brekke, Severt Alekson, Ole Teigen, Tonnes Leegeson, Anfin Anderson Ringheim, Lars Severson, A. Alekson and Styrk Germo. Louis Severson and Thron Homerson were members of the first board of trustees, the name of the third member being unknown. Tonnes Leegeson was the first secretary of the congregation. At this first meeting which was held on April 28, 1868, a call was extended to Rev. Torger H. Dahl, who then lived in Jackson Lake and who served the Medo Church until 1873.
It was two years after this meeting, in the fall of 1870 that a meeting was held at the home of Severt Alekson on the banks of Bull Run creek when preperations were made for the incorporation of the Medo Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church. Among those taking a leading part in this meeting were Lars Brekke, Sjur Vieg, Andrew Anderson, Ole Teigen, Lars Severson, Anfin Ringheim, Markus Williamson, Gjert Lee, Torger Knudson, Torkel Dickson, Anton Berentson, Ole Mosolen and Anton Christianson.
These early Lutherans, hard working and thrifty poineers that they were, decided that the time had come for them to build a church building to properly take care of the services for their growing congregation. In 1875, a building qwas begun on the site located on the northwest corner of Sjur Veig's farm. Times were hard and there was but little money, but these good people believed in at least making a start, so the framework of the building was erected and rough benches used for seats. But before this time, their only church was God's own groves and a little later the Round and Goodwin school houses were used, so that this new crude structure to them had all the sanctity and grandure of the largest cathedral and the message from these early pioneer pastors was an inspiration and source of strangth to these religious people.
In 1879, a great tornado tore a path of destruction through this part of Medo and the little frame church was swept away. Many of the congregation suffered loss to their buildings and crops and for a time it seemed as though a new church was almost an impossibility. But the spirit of sacrifice and hard work which had brought them through trial and tribulation, inspired them to greater efforts. The p[ioneers began to plan for a new church, bigger and better than before and by 1890 they were able to have their fine new edifice dedicated to God's service. Rev. G. Howne, conducted the dedication services.
The official language of the church was at first that of Norway, the native home of nearly all members of the congregation. as younger children grew to manhood and womanhood, the english language replaced that of the old country until at the present time english has become the official language of this congregation.
Sometime in the 1870's, another small congregation was formed in the neighborhood and became affiliated with Den Norske-Donske Konference but was afterwards disoolved and the members united with this congregation. Rev. Borges' resigned in 1884. The next year a committee of four members was elected to meet with other committees from the charge which at that time was made up of Mankato, Rapidan, Jackson Lake and the Medo churches. This committee consisting of John Oien, Ole Engebretson, M. Williamson and K. Knudson, met in Mankato and agreed to submit a report recommending Rev. Faegry as pastor. Every one of the committeemen present were agreed except one of the Medo delegates, hence Medo rejected the report. The result was that Medo became seperated from the charge and called Rev. M. A. Oftedahl as pastor. Afterwards the Medo congregation joined with the Delavan congregation and these two constituted a charge for several years.
Many able men have been pastors of this country church and have left an impression with these people which has done much for the moral and spiritual development of the community. The pastors who have served the congregation are the following: T.H. Dahl, O.A. Mellby, N. Borge, N.A. Oftendahl, D.J. Fuglebak, C.M. Larson, John Hammer, Johan Olson, John Lindeland, T.M. Bakke, Edward Livingston, C.L. Rachie, E.B. Holte, P.B. Stensland, A.N. Olson, N.H. Wangen, L.H. Smestad, G.N> Jacobson, W.B. Cole, D.K. Wold, D.P. Oldenberg, D.E. Larson, M.P. Schulz, A.O. Aadland, G.A. Waylander and Z. Anderson. In the year of 1993, we thought of adding two intern pastors, Fred Hagen and John Hagen. We also had called Jeannie Megorden. She accepted our calledand would be the first woman pastor toserve Medo Lutheran.
In the year 1887, the congregation built a fine parsonage situated adjoining the church. At the time the site of the church was selected, sufficiant ground was purchased for a cemetary which adjoins the church. This churchyard is kept in the finest condition and is one of the beauty spots of the countryside. Here are laid to rest those early pioneers who gave much to their church and lived to see it develop into the strong spiritual institution it is.
Various improvements have been made on the church property. The most outstanding of these was the building of the church annex in 1932. A new parsonage was built in the early 1950's.
Throughout the years God has continued to provide a place for his people to gather for worship, fellowship and study. Improvements on the church facilities have enabled greater and more effective ministry. A new church building was dedicated in October, 1969.
Since 1868 many people have responded to God's call here at Medo. Over 1200 people have been baptised and over 800 people have made confirmation of their faith. Through the ministry of this congregation many people have heard God's word and have come to know their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.