SWEDES: TheWayTheyWere
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    • The Bethany Artist & the Bethany Scientist: Lydia & Emil ------------------------- \\// >
      • Lydia's and Emil's Smoky Valley Swedish Immigration Background ​ ~ With a far larger account of why Swedes were leaving Sweden by Mr. Holmquist >
        • Their 1869 Swedish Lutheran Galesburg Colony and Olsson Colony Smoky Valley Arrivals, ~ With a Galesburg account by Mr. Holmquist >
          • Their Värmland Swedes ~ The "First Swedish Agricultural Company" Lindsborg Founders, 1868, ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
            • Swedish Pastor Olof Olsson Emigrating to Lindsborg 1869, June 27th Arrival ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
              • Bethany Lutheran Church and Lindsborg Founder Pastor Olsson, 1869 - 1876 ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist
      • Their 1869 "Bethany Lutheran Church" ~ Accounts by Dr. Lindquist and Mr. Carlson >
        • ​Their 1860-1962 "Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Synod" ~ Gaining and losing its Swedish identity >
          • The 1860 Formation of the Augustana Synod ~ An Account by Mr. Holmquist >
            • Their 1892 "Augustana Women's Missionary Society" ~ An account by Ms. Humphrey >
              • The 2000 - 2016 "Augustana Heritage Association"
      • Their 1879 "Swedish Mission Church" formation by former Bethany Lutheran Church members ​ due to the "atonement" issue ​ ~ An account by Mr. Carlson ~ Part 1 of 2 >
        • An account by Dr. Lindquist ~ Part 2 of 2
      • Their 1907 "Bethany Lutheran Home" ~ Link to the Bethany Home Story >
        • 1976 Lindsborg’s Bethany Home’s Swedish King's Visit ~ An account by Mr. Carlson
      • Their 1909 and 1919 Swedish Smoky Valley Community Chronicles ~ Compiled and written by Bethany Lutheran Church Rev. Dr. Bergin, members and others
      • Their 1910 English speaking "Messiah Lutheran Church" formation by former Bethany Lutheran Church members ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
        • An account on the 1910 Messiah Lutheran Church formation from Rev. Dr. Bergin's 1909 ​"Pioneer Swedish-American Culture of Central Kansas"
      • Their 1916 Sohlberg House ​ ~ 322 North First [College] Street ~After their honeymoon
      • Their 1919 Lindsborg Historical Society's "Coronado Heights" ~ Emil's 1907 thesis and Lydia's photographs >
        • The ​1919 Formation of the "Lindsborg Historical Society" ~ The Smoky Hills' "Smoky Hill" christened "Coronado Heights" May 8, 1924 >
          • G. N. Malm's role in the development of the Lindsborg Historical Society and Coronado Heights ​~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
            • Lindsborg Historical Society and Coronado Heights History ~ Three (3) accounts by Mrs. Jaderborg, former SVHA secretary >
              • Coronado Expedition Chain Mail and Bethany College Museum History ~ An account from Dr. Lungstrom's book
      • Their 1920 Old Main Apartments of Bethany College ~ Living on campus with the students for 20 years
      • Their 1936 1873 Swedish Homestead," "Our Peaceful Acres" >
        • Their 1873 Swede House ~ A close twin to Lindsborg Founder Rev. Olof Olsson's stone house >
          • Peaceful Acres Smoky Valley descendant friends and helpers ~ Honoring them and remembering them
      • Their 1940 Deere Home to 1943 ​~ 344 North First [College] Street ~ With new occupants after Lydia >
        • Emil's and Nina's 1961Thunderbird on the Bethany Campus ~ Promoting 21st Century Bethany College in Silicon Valley with alumni and students
      • Their 1941 "Svensk Hyllningsfest" and Dr. Holwerda's Role ~ Accounts by Dr. Lungstrom, Mrs. Jaderborg, Dr. Holwerda & Mr. Lundstrom >
        • Their 1964, "Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers" founded by Mrs. Jaderborg ~ An account by Mr. Chris Abercrombie
      • 1943, After Lydia, Emil's part planning Lindsborg's "first" hospital and Dr. Holwerda's role ~ An account by Dr. Lungstrom
    • Their "1881" on . . . Lutheran Bethany Academy 1882 ~ Their 1882 "First Lutheran College Building"
    • Their 1882-1966 "Bethany College Museum" ~ The Natural History and Pioneer Swedish Collections >
      • Fossils Collection ~ From Old Main to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum, 1966, ~ “The Find” >
        • Taxidermy Collection ~ From Old Main to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum, 1966 >
          • 900 Item Emil O. Deere Pioneer Swedish Collection ~ From Old Main to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum, 1966 >
            • Cliff Dwellers' Pottery Collection ~ From Old Main to the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery, 1966
      • The 1966 Bethany College Museum Collections Move to the Old Mill Museum ~ Dr. Leon Lungstrom's Role >
        • Articles on the Bethany College Museum Collections Move of 1966
    • Their 1882 on . . . Bethany College Handel’s “Messiah" Performances >
      • "Messiah" Performers, Venues & Audiences, Press and Broadcasts >
        • Special 20th Century "Messiah" Performances >
          • "The Notables, Messiah Week, . . . ~ An account by Mrs. Jaderborg >
            • Handel's "Messiah" & Bach's "St. Matthew Passion" ~ Described for viewers unfamiliar with these oratorios
    • Their “1899 on . . .” Bethany College “Swedish Artists’ Midwest Art Exhibition” ​~ An account by the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery
    • Their 1903 on . . . Bethany College "Rockar Stockar!" and the 1902 on . . . "Terrible Swedes" ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist
    • Their “1904 on . . .” Bethany College St. Louis World's Fair “Swedish Pavilion”
    • Their "1895 to 1981" Bethany College Anniversary Celebrations ~ 15, 20, 25, 100 years >
      • Their Celebrating 15 Years of Bethany College, 1881-1896. The First "Bethany Annual," 1895-96 >
        • Their Celebrating 20 Years of Bethany College, 1881-1901. The "Forget-Me-Not," 1902 >
          • The King of Sweden's Emissary, 1901 >
            • Yale University's Bethany Club
      • Their Celebrating 25 Years of Bethany College, 1881-1906. ~ "Souvenir of Lindsborg and Bethany College"
      • Their Celebrating 100 Years of Bethany College, 1881-1981 ~ "The Centennial of Bethany College"
    • Their 1937 Bethany College's Introduction to 1638 New Sweden >
      • Deere's Introduction to New Sweden
  • Swedish Immigration Story, 1854
    • "The Story of the Old Spoon" by Ingrid Anderson Sohlberg & Daughter Lydia Sohlberg Deere, 1937
    • Who They Left Behind
    • From Sweden with Love Collections >
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Kosta Portraits, 1867 >
        • The Swedish Sohlberg Kosta Glass >
          • The Swedish Sohlberg Letters
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Royal Gold Thread Embroidery Sampler (c1890s)
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Post Cards (c1890s)
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Magazines, (c1940s)
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Books, 1819/1886 to 1899
      • The Swedish Sohlberg Albums ~ Late 19th early 20th centuries
      • The Swedish Deere Coins -- 1801-1929
  • Artist Lydia Sohlberg Deere
    • Lydia's Lindsborg Photography, 1900-1925 >
      • The Hats
      • The Smoky River
      • The Smoky Hills >
        • Coronado Heights -- One Winter's Day
      • In and Around Lindsborg
      • Sohlberg House with Parents >
        • Our Sohlberg Home and Neighbor Alma Luise Olson
      • Sohlberg House with Emil 1916 to 1920 >
        • Lydia's Travels with Deere 1916 - 1930s >
          • Lydia's California Photographs for Painting >
            • Lydia's "Palm Springs Pictorial Magazine, 1938-1939 >
              • Lydia's California Pressed Wild Flowers, c1930
      • "LYDIA'S WORLD" Photography Exhibitions in Lindsborg, 2005 - 2011 >
        • ​"LYDIA'S WORLD" Smoky Valley descendant friends caring for her work ​ ~ Honoring them and remembering them ~ 2005-2011
      • 2021 Lindsborg's Lydia Sohlberg Deere ~ Discovered by Palm Springs, former "NY Times" Writer of Lindsborg's Christina Lillian
    • Lydia as Bethany College Lane Hart Hall Dean of Women, 1906 - 1913 ~ Swedish and Scandinavian Handwork Instructor >
      • Lydia's Signatured Black Book of Her Handwritten Sewing Instructions >
        • Nina Sohlberg's Child's Sewing "Little Dots" PICTURE BOOK
      • Lydia Sohlberg Deere's 1927 "Lindsborg Swedish Club's" Handwork and Members >
        • The Lindsborg Swedish Club's "Allers Monster-Tidnings" magazine, 1940
    • Lydia's Art, 1919-1938 >
      • Lydia's Art: The Kansas Collection >
        • The Sketches
      • Lydia's Art: The Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota Collection >
        • The Sketches
      • Lydia's Art: The California Collection >
        • The Sketches >
          • Lydia's "Palm Springs Magazine " 1938-39
    • Lydia's Art Professor Sven Birger Sandzén, 1871-1954 >
      • Lydia's Assignments for Professor Sandzén >
        • Students of Sandzén 2019 Exhibition >
          • Bethany Home ~ Celebrating Artist Birger Sandzén through his students' paintings
    • Lydia's Art Professor Birger Sandzén's "Art Exhibitions" and "Reviews" .. 1893-1940 >
      • Lydia's Art Professor Sandzén's Exhibition at the Babcock Gallery in New York, 1922
      • Lydia's Sandzén's Body of Work Reviewed by N.Y.C, 1984 "American Impressionism," author William H. Gerdts
    • Lydia's and Sandzén's Swedish Artist Friend Charles Edward Hallberg, 1855-1940
    • Lydia's and Sandzén's Swedish Artist Friend Oscar Brousse Jacobson, 1882-1966
    • Lydia’s Sohlberg Family Connection to Sandzén, 1880-1894-1993
  • Scientist Emil O. Deere
    • Deere's & Lydia's Bethany -- Lydia's Bethany Photography, 1906-1925 >
      • Bethany College "Campus from Above"
      • Bethany College "The Gateway," 1917 and "Bethany Campus Association," 1912
      • Bethany College "College Street," today's "North First Street"
      • Bethany College "Campus Life"
      • Bethany College "Field Trips"
      • Bethany College's "Earliest Buildings" >
        • Bethany College "​Ladies Dormitory" / "Lane Hart Hall" 1883 - 1899 - 1983
        • Bethany College "Old Main" 1887-1968 >
          • Lydia's and Emil's Old Main Apartments, 1920 to 1940 >
            • Deere's Bethany College Classes in Old Main
        • Bethany College "Messiah Auditorium" / "Ling Auditorium" / "Ling Gymnasium" 1895 - 1946
        • Bethany College "Swedish Pavilion," 1904
        • Bethany College "​Carnegie Library" / "Bethany Library" 1908 - 1980
        • Bethany College "​Bethany Academy" 1882 -- Swensson's Bethany's Beginnings
    • Deere's 1959 Interview on Rev. Dr. Carl A. Swensson (On YouTube) >
      • Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson, 1857-1904 ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
        • Swensson's "Bethany Lutheran Church" and the "Augustana Lutheran Synod"
        • Swensson's Bethany's Beginnings: "The Bethany Academy of 1882"
        • Olsson's Influence, the Swenssons,' the Musicians' and Singers,' "Messiah," 1882 on … >
          • Mr. Thure Olof Jaderborg, Sr. ~ One Lindsborg "Messiah" Commitment from 1901-1954
        • Swensson's Swedish Artists of the 1890s
        • Swensson's "Bethany College Museum," 1882 - 1966
      • In Memorium**Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson, 1904 ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist
    • Deere's Rev. Dr. Ernst F. Pihlblad, 1873-1943 ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist >
      • In Memoriam**Dr. Ernst F. Pihlblad, 1943
      • Rev. Dr. Pihlblad on Bethany College, 1904 - 1941
    • Deere's Swensson's "Bethany College Museum" 1882-1966 >
      • Deere's Swensson's Bethany College Museum Collections ~ to 1966
    • Deere's Smithsonian Institution's Souvenir, 1904
    • Deere's 1940 Presidential Address to the Kansas Academy of Science
    • Deere's 1955 Letter to President Eisenhower re Tuttle Creek
    • Deere's Service, 1901-1966 ~ The bullet points >
      • Deere's Education & Degrees
    • The Deere's Library ~ What remains of 2,000 books -- pending project
    • Deere's Old Main Office ​ ~ SVHA member Mrs. Jaderborg in charge of cleaning it out
  • "The Other Swedes"
    • Honoring Them and Remembering Them ~ The Smoky Valley Writers >
      • Rev. Bror Carlsson ~ Tracing Värmland's Rev. Olof Olsson's church life in Sweden and in ​Swedish America with the Augustana Lutheran Synod >
        • 2001 "He Gave God Glory" - "The Story of Olof Olsson" ​~ Alf Brorson's condensed version of his father's, Rev. Bror Carlsson's 1955 manuscript, "Jag Sökte Icke Mitt," "I Did Not Seek My Own" >
          • "He Gave God Glory" ~ The Story of Olof Olsson ~ Contents & Illustrations
      • Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson ~ Prolific writer in America and Sweden from approximately 1879 to 1904
      • Bethany Church, Bethany College, Augustana Lutheran Synod Writers ​~ Remembering Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson and Rev. Dr. Ernst Frederick Pihlblad
      • ​Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin ​~ In Swedish, writing and compiling foundational history of Swedish Smoky Valley Augustana Lutheran settlements, in 1909 and 1919 >
        • 1909 translated to "Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas," 1965 ~ By Mrs. Bergin Billdt
        • 1919 translated to "The Smoky Valley in The After Years," 1969 ~ By Mrs. Bergin Billdt & Mrs. Jaderborg
      • Dr. Emory K. Lindquist ~ "Fourth" President of Bethany College ~ Chronicling Swedish Augustana Lutheran Lindsborg and Bethany College from their earliest years >
        • ​1953, "Smoky Valley People, A History of Lindsborg, Kansas" ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist and Contents & Illustrations
        • 1975 "Bethany in Kansas, the history of a college" ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist >
          • "Bethany in Kansas" PART I ~ Contents & Illustrations
          • "Bethany in Kansas" PART II ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 1984 "Hagbard Brase, Beloved Music Master" ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist >
          • "Hagbard Brase" ~ Contents and Illustrations
        • 1989 "G. N. Malm - A Swedish Immigrant's Varied Career" ~ The Words of Dr. Lindquist with chapters by Hasselmo, Holm, Skårdal, & translation by Van Boer >
          • "G. N. Malm" ~ Contents & Illustrations
      • Mrs. Elizabeth Jaderborg ​ ~ Chronicling the Lindsborg of her day, its early histories, its early citizens [Remarks on Dr. Einar Jaderborg and Messiah Bass Soloist Thure Jaderborg] >
        • 1965 "Lindsborg On Record" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 1967 "Living in Lindsborg and Other Possibilities" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 1973 "Talk About Lindsborg" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 1976 "Why Lindsborg" ~ An introduction: H. M. Carl XVI Gustaf of the Kingdom of Sweden >
          • 1976 "Why Lindsborg?" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • ​1990 "Two Reprints" ~ Contents & Illustrations
      • Mr. A. John Pearson ~ Chronicling the "first" 8 Bethany College presidents, "Messiah" history and much more >
        • 1981 ​On "Bethany College" History for 100 Years ~ The Words of Mr. Pearson
        • ​​1982 On " 'Messiah" Centennial History for 100 Years ​ ~ The Compiler, and the Words of, Mr. A. John Pearson ​
      • Rev. Eugene K. Nelson and the Bethany Home Writers ~ Chronicling the "only known written" story on the beginnings of Bethany Home​ of 1907
      • Dr. Leon G. Lungstrom ​~ Chronicling Bethany College natural science and mathematics, the professors and societies, the Museum, and Old Main, 1881-1990 >
        • ​1990 "History of Natural Science and Mathematics at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas" ~ "Table of Contents" >
          • Dr. Lungstrom Chapters >
            • "Introduction"
            • "Bethany College History Concerning the Natural Sciences and Mathematics"
            • Bethany College "Museum" ​
            • "Societies on the College Campus Associated with Mathematics and Natural Sciences"
            • ​"Tabulation of Teachers and Assistants in Natural Sciences and Mathematics"
            • The Old Main Building and Nelson Science Hall"
            • Bethany College Catalogue Cover
          • Dr. Lungstrom's References >
            • "Bethany Messenger" ~ Science and mathematics' headlines ~ 1893 to 1987
            • "Lindsborg News-Record" ~ Science and mathematics' headlines ~ 1901 to 1990
            • "Bethany College Magazine" ~ Science and mathematics' headlines ~ 1954 to 1990
            • "Daisy" and/or "Bethanian" ~ List of Science & Math Faculty Photographs ~ 1908 - 1990
        • Dr. Lungstrom ~ "Master Teacher" "Master Learner" >
          • Dr. Lungstrom ~ His Värmland Swedish ancestry and tough years on the McPherson County family farm
      • Smoky Valley Historical Association Members ~ Chronicling 1993 " Where Did They Live? " "Early Residences of Lindsborg, Kansas"
      • Mr. Thomas N. Holmquist ~ Chronicling Lindsborg's neighbors, the Galesburg Augustana Lutheran Swedes of Salemsborg and Freemount, with a personal connection, 1868 >
        • ​1994 "Pioneer Cross: Swedish Settlements Along the Smoky Hill Bluffs" ~ The Words of Mr. Holmquist
        • "Pioneer Cross" ~ Contents & Illustrations
      • Mr. Alf Brorson ~ Connecting Lindsborg Swedes to their Swedish Lutheran Christian Founder Rev. Olsson in 2001, and to Sweden with the "Sweden Letter" since 2008
      • Mr. Chris Abercrombie ~ Remembering him as historian, writer, researcher, interviewer and collector of local artifacts - Remembering his legacy >
        • ~The 2006 Abercrombie interview with Ken Sjogren on Bethany's challenging times, 1960s to early 70s
      • Mr. Bill Carlson ~ Chronicling Lindsborg's earliest and later histories with a personal connection, since 1867 >
        • 2011 "Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now" ​ ~ The words of Bill Carlson >
          • "Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now" ​ ~ The words of Bill Carlson, the "Conclusion" chapter >
            • "Lindsborg Then and Lindsborg Now" ~ Contents & Illustrations
        • 2016 ~ Mr. Calrson's account of "1976 King of Sweden's Visit to Bethany Home'"
      • Ms. Karen A. Humphrey ~ Chronicling highlights of Swedish Augustana Lutheran Lindsborg and Bethany College culture in the earliest years >
        • 2012 "Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing: The Alma Christina Lind Swensson Story" ~The Words of Ms. Humphrey
        • "Grace, Faith and the Power of Singing" ~ Contents & Illustrations
      • ​​​Mrs. Margaret Dahlquist Eddy ~ Chronicling Lindsborg Photographer Swede B.G. Gröndal Work's >
        • 2013 "Through the Lens of B.G. Gröndal: Keeper of His Time" ~ ​Contents & Photograph Titles ~ Showing Sohlberg Deere Gröndal portraits
      • ​ Mr. Kenneth Sjogren ​~ Saving and serving Bethany College, preserving college and Swedish history and culture, writing college history >
        • ​2019 "6 Decades with 12 Bethany College Presidents"​ ~ The words of Mr. Sjogren
        • "6 Decades with 12 Bethany College Presidents"​ ~ Illustrations and Chapters
      • ​Digitalize the Smoky Valley Writers' Swedish and Swedish American histories ~ For their generations to come and for research accessibility
    • ​Honoring Them and Remembering Them ~ The ​Smoky Valley History Research Writers Website Designers
    • Honoring Them and Remembering Them ~ The Lindsborg Swedes, Their Neighbors & Friends >
      • ​Rev. Dr. Olof Olsson ~ Remembering Swedish Lutheran Christian Founder of Lindsborg and Bethany Lutheran Church ​~ LINKS to accounts by Rev. Bror Carlsson, Mr. Alf Brorson, and Dr. Emory K. Lindquist
      • ​​Rev. Dr. Carl Aaron Swensson ~ Remembering “Founder” and "Second President" of Bethany College ~ LINKS to accounts by Dr. Emory K. Lindquist, and much more
      • ​Mrs. Alma Christina Lind Swensson ~ Remembering her as Mrs. Rev. Dr. Swensson, the “First Lady” of Lindsborg, ~ "Highlights" from Ms. Humphrey’s book
      • ​Rev. Dr. Edward J. Nelander​ ~ Remembering "First" President of Bethany College ~ Accounts by Dr. Lindquist and Dr. Lundstrom
      • Dr. Johan August Udden ~ Remembering "First" Bethany College professor, founder of the Museum and Spanish Chain Mail, led UT to over $300,000,000 ~ An account by Dr. Lundstrom
      • Mr. B.G. Gröndal ~ Remembering him and his photography in the earliest years of Lindsborg and Bethany College >
        • B.G. Gröndal ~ Accounts by Mr. Abercrombie and Mrs. Jaderborg with LINK to Mrs. Eddy, B.G.'s granddaughter's book review
      • ​Mr. Samuel Thorstenberg ~ Remembering him as the "first" earliest internationally acclaimed Bethany College "Messiah Chorus" conductor
      • Dr. Hagbard Brase ~ Remembering him as the "second " earliest internationally acclaimed Bethany College "Messiah Chorus" conductor
      • Rev. Dr. Ernst F. Pihlblad ~ "Third" President of Bethany College ~ An account by Dr. Lindquist
      • Miss Alma Luise Olson ~ Remembering her as "First Honored American Woman by Sweden" ~ The 1965 account by ​Mrs. Jaderborg >
        • Miss Alma Luise Olson ~ Remembering her and the extraordinary life she led at home and abroad ~ The 2012 account by Ms. Humphrey
      • Artist Birger Sandzén ~ Remembering him for "sharing his art with the world," starting "first" at Lindsborg's Bethany College >
        • The Greenoughs ~ Drs. Charles Pelham III and Margaret Elizabeth Sandzén ~ Remembering them for their gift of the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery and much more
      • Mr. Gustaf Nathaniel Malm ~ Remembering Lindsborg's Swedish Renaissance Man ~ Accounts by Dr. Lindquist >
        • G. N. Malm and all he did for the Lindsborg community ~ An account by Mrs. Jaderborg >
          • G. N. Malm and his Lindsborg's national interior decorating company ​​~ An account by Mrs. Jaderborg​ >
            • G. N. Malm's 1916 Christmas Greetings to His Lindsborg Friends
      • The Swedish Lindsborg Builders ~ Remembering them for the lovely homes they built
      • William Holwerda, M.D. ~ Remembering him as "Doc Bill," a city father and loving citizen ~ Accounts by Dr. Lungstrom and Mrs. Jaderborg >
        • Dr. William Holwerda ~ Remembering their family doctor with Messiah Lutheran Church tributes ~ An account by Dr. Lungstrom
      • Mr. & Mrs. Hilding Jaderborg ~ Remembering them and their “Swedish Crafts Shop” of 65 years and 50 trips to Sweden
      • Artist Lester Raymer ~ Remembering him as the renowned virtuoso artist and "behind the scenes" community supporter
      • Dr. ​& Mrs. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering them and their 29 years of dedication to that Bethany College "Messiah" tradition of excellence >
        • 1976 Dr. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering him as the “Messiah” conductor for the Bethany College "Swedish King’s," Carl XVI Gustaf's, performance >
          • 1981 Dr. Elmer Copley ~ Remembering him as the "Messiah" conductor for the Bethany College "Centennial Celebration" performance >
            • 1986 Dr. Elmer Copley ~ ~Remembering him as the “Messiah” conductor for the Bethany College televised Holy Easter Week "American Easter"
      • ​Dr. Arvin W. Hahn ​~ Remembering him, Ken Sjogren and others ​ for saving Bethany College from going under! -- "A Miracle in the Making" >
        • Dr. Arvin W. Hahn ~ Remembering him handing me my Bethany College "Bachelor of Arts" Degree on Sunday, May 26,1968
      • Dr. Greta Swenson and Mr. & Mrs. Mark Esping ~ Remembering them for founding Lindsborg's “first” "Swedish-American Folklife Institute of Central Kansas," 1986 >
        • Mr. & Mrs. Mark Esping ~ Remembering their Lindsborg's Folklife Institute's "Swedish-American Heritage Center," 1996
      • Mr. Claude Koehn ~ Remembering him as restorer and preservationist of Smoky Valley stone farmhouses and other stone structures
      • ​Ms. Rebecca Copley ~ Honoring her as Bethany College's “first” graduate to become an "International Concert and Opera Soprano" >
        • Ms. Copley's International Reviews
      • Mr. Bruce Karstadt ~ Honoring him as a Bethany College graduate for heading up a major national Swedish American institution
      • Dr. Mark Lucas ~ Honoring him as Messiah conductor for bringing the Holy Easter Lindsborg “Oberammergau of the Plains" to a “new” world audience in 2020
    • Honoring Them and Remembering Them ~ The Groupings, including Swedes from Sweden >
      • ​1882-1966 Bethany College Museum Science Professor Curators ​~ Their earliest collectors and the taxidermists
      • 1894-1962 Bethany College Graduates in Augustana Lutheran Synod World Mission Work ~ An account by Dr. Emory K. Lindquist
      • 1901-2014 The ​Bethany College Swedish Knights and Ladies ~ Honored by the Kings of Sweden
      • ​​1919 "Lindsborg Historical Society's" earliest leaders ~ Their mission and preservation projects >
        • 1963 "Smoky Valley Historical Association" (SVHA) later leaders ​~ Some more recent preservation projects
      • ​1962 - 2021 "McPherson County Old Mill Museum Leaders" ~ Detailing ​the Museum's roots to the 1930s ". . . Archeological Society" and more
      • ​1971 - 2020 "American Scandinavian Association of the Great Plains" Leaders ~ Providing cultural history and heritage programs with significant links to Sweden and Swedish America
      • 1976 His Majesty the King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf's Visit to Lindsborg April 17th >
        • The Lindsborg & Bethany College "Swedes" ~ Honored by the King of Sweden, June 6, 1976
      • 1977​ Swedish Emigrant Institute Staff from Växjö, Småland, Visits Lindsborg October 16-18
      • 1978 Swedish Documen- tary Film Crew Visits Lindsborg October 2-9 >
        • "Lindsborg News-Record" Clippings of 1978 Swedish Film Crew Visit
  • Contacts
    • For 1869 Lindsborg CONTACT Today > > > > > > > > to Yesteryears > >
      • ​Lydia's Lindsborg Photography​, ​1900 - 1925 >
        • "A Time to Remember" 1882 - 1988 >
          • A Historical Count of Lindsborg Residents ~The Bethany College Presidents & Swedish Kings Honoring Bethany Swedes
    • ​For 1881 Bethany College CONTACT Today > > > > > > > > > to Yesteryears > >
      • Lydia's Bethany Photography, 1906 - 1925 >
        • Their "I WAS THERE" Coin ~ Bethany College 21st Year Celebration, 1902 >
          • "A Time to Remember" 1882 - 1988 >
            • A Historical Count ~The Bethany College Presidents & Swedish Kings Honoring Bethany Swedes >
              • "Bethany Campus Walk”
    • For 1957 Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery CONTACT Today >
      • Sandzén: "Ecstasy of Color" ~ PBS Doucmentary ~ Aired 6/11/21
    • Closing Remarks >
      • ​ The 1941 Smoky Valley "Pioneer Cross Memorial" ​~ ​By Mr. Thomas N. Holmquist >
        • The 2009 "Smoky Valley Swedish People's Virtual Memorial"
    • Traveling through SWEDES ~ The Table of Contents
 Home

~ An account on the 1910 Messiah Lutheran Church formation from Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin's 1909
​"Pioneer Swedish-American Culture of Central Kansas"

------------------------------------------------------------
Messiah Lutheran Church:
"The Faith of Our Fathers In The Language of Our Children" 
---------------------------------------------
​As stated in the first section on the Messiah Lutheran Church, the formation of an English-speaking Lutheran church from the Swedish-speaking Bethany Lutheran Church in Lindsborg became a critical matter for the community.

The information on this matter was first recorded in Swedish 
by Bethany Lutheran Church third pastor Dr. Alfred Bergin in 1909 in his ​"Lindsborg, Bidrag Till Svenskarnas och Den Lutherska Kyrkans Historia i Smoky Hill River Dalen" which was translated in 1965 by his daughter Ruth Bergin Billdt to Pioneer Swedish-American Culture in Central Kansas. 


In this English translation on page 136 finishing on page 
138 is the following:

"The English Language within Bethany Church and the Beginning of the Messiah Church"
     "The English language problem has been thrust upon us by the College.  It has not as yet developed within the congregation as such.  The greatest number of students are not at present of Swedish parentage, and some of the professors have inter-married with other nationalities, or are unable to speak the Swedish language.  Sixteen youths have been confirmed in the English language in the history of the church, and those within the last two years.

     "It is to accommodate the students and professors at the College and a few others who do not understand the Swedish language that we have found it necessary to use the English language at some of our services.  These services have been held at the College.

​     
"One service using the English language on Communion Sunday began back in 1885.

     "Dr. Swensson wrote in 1894: "We tried having English services during the fall of 1894 especially for the student body.  They were well attended, but they proved a hindrance to our regular church services, so from now on they wil be held Sunday afternoons in the College chapel."

     "The first English communion service was held January 19th, 1902, and since then we have held two evening communion services during the year.  The last four years we have had an English service the first Sunday evening of each month.

     "The English language is used in the Young People's Bible Class.  The children who are in the confirmation class and so desire are instructed in the English language.  The Luther Leagues use both languages.  Very little English is used in the Sunday School.

     "Shortly after the annual meeting in 1906, at one of the meetings of the Male Chorus in Room 106 at Bethany College, a movement was started to organize an English-speaking Lutheran congregation in Lindsborg. There was a lively interest aroused even to holding a few meetings in the City Hall.  A committee met with the pastor of the congregation, and at his request to have a written document of what was discussed and decided upon, the following document was presented:
    Lindsborg Kansas   
Jan. 23, 1906      
To Dr. Alfred Bergin, Pastor of Bethany
Church, and to the Bethany Church Council
of Lindsborg, Kansas

​Honored Body: --


     For some time quite a few of the young English-speaking people of Bethany Church and several ardent church workers who, for various reasons, have not joined any church, have contemplated the advisability of organizing an English Lutheran Church.

​     We assure you that this is not a sudden conspicuous notion, but an earnest, heartfelt desire which had its birth in the hearts of sincere church workers, even years ago.

​     The main reason for desiring an English Lutheran Church, or Church Extension of kind, is because of the language. English is the recognized language of our country. Several members of the Swedish churches have joined said churches temporarily on account of family relations. In some homes, however, only parts of the family have pledged themselves members of the church while the other members of the same family have hesitated because they could not understand the language sufficiently. We have every reason to believe that English is, and will be, the dominating language in America.

     We are fully convinced that a people can worship God as devoutly in English as in any other tongue. We know that many children in the Sunday Schools of the Swedish churches and members of the young peoples' society, prefer English to Swedish, and the day is not distant when it will be a question of using English in their church work or a decided indifference will be manifested for the greatest and only true source of all temporal and eternal happiness--the Kingdom of Christ.

     We cannot see why Bethany College should, in any way, suffer ill consequences, but, on the contrary, we believe it will grow stronger and better than heretofore in accordance with the rules and regulations laid down by the Kansas Conference an Augustana Synod.

     We hope and pray that said church can be organized and caused to grow and prosper and we believe it can if the true Christian spirit prevails between the pioneer churches of this city and especially the pioneer members of Bethany College and those who desire an English Lutheran Church.

     We declare before God and to all Christians, right minded people that there is no malice or intrigue against Bethany Church, its present pastor or any church or individual, connected with the proposed movement.  The direct cause for the immediate consideration of this question emanates from the conclusions arrived at when the matter was indirectly sounded at the annual meeting of the Bethany Church on January 12th.  It seems, at that time, and at previous, semi- public occasions, several members have expressed themselves in favor of less English in place of giving it more prominence. 

     It is the earnest desire of all interested in this movement to have the consent and cooperation of Dr. Bergin, Bethany Church Council and all who are interested in the building and preparation of the Christian Church.

     We believe the solution of this problem will not be difficult, since all interested are willing to see conditions in the right light. There is no intention of taking a premature step in any direction.  We believe an English Lutheran Church can be organized in such a way as to work in harmony with the Swedish Lutheran Church and in no way conflict with other churches in our community.

     May the highest and noblest of all ambitions be the ultimate victory of Christ's Church for time and eternity.
 Fraternally yours,                             
Samuel Thorstenberg,                     
  A. A. Abercrombie,                          
H. G. 
Johnson,                                 
H. C. Bernhardt,                               
F. Levine.                                          
---committee
​                               
     This was ratified January 28, 1906 at the meeting in the City Hall, where the following persons were present:  G. E. Eberhardt, A. A. Abercrombie, G. N. Malm, B. G. Gröndal, C. V. Rosberg, J. W. Bengtson, Samuel Thorstenberg, H. G. Johnson, A. Pihlblad, J. Moren, E. T. Petrson, J. R. Lynch, H. C. Bernardt, F. Irvin, Holmgren and Prof. Nyquist.

     It was decided to table the question for the time being due to the drive to reduce the debt of the Bethany College. Shortly before Christmas 1907 the same committee came to the pastor and requested that he present to the Church Council the request to organize an English Lutheran Church. The pastor presented the request to the Church Council which, after a long and serious discussion concerning all the phases of the request, recommended that such a church be permitted to be organized according to the following decision: 


     Resolved, that if such a congregation be organized which accepts the constitution of our congregation and asks admission into our Synod, the Church Council recommends that said English-speaking congregation be accepted into the Augustana Synod.

     This was without a doubt the only way to handle the situation here, and we hope the future will prove that the Church Council acted wisely.

     It was decided after conferring with the pastor that they who desired to organize the new congregation request their membership papers from the Bethany Church and immediately begin organizational plans. January 15, 1908, The Evangelical Lutheran Messiah Church of Lindsborg, Kansas, was organized with a membership of thirty-nine communicant members and thirty-eight children. The congregational constitution recommended in New Britain, Connecticut, was adopted with its liberal interpretation concerning Secret Societies.


The following members have to date left Bethany Church to join the Messiah Church:

Dr. H. G. Johnson, wife and two children

G. N. Malm, wife and three children
E. Malm, wife and one child
Samuel Thorstenberg, wife and two children
Andrew Monson, wife and one child
J. W. Bengston
M. L. Bengston 
Mrs. Abercrombie
Roy and Enola Bengston
Gust Carlson
G. E. Anderson, wife and two children
Ruth Bengston
Peter Larson, wife and three children
Eva and Teckla Larson
Oscar Berglund
Ralph and Clarence Peterson
G. E. Eberhardt, wife and one child
Leroy Eberhardt
Arvid Anderson
Henry, Anette, Mildred Rosburg
Mrs. R. Wilbur
Mrs. W. Jukes
Amy Palmquist
 Mrs. G. Anderson

     The services are held in the College Chapel or the Swedish Pavilion.  The hymnal and the handbook of the Augustana Synod are used.  The president of the college is the pastor at present.  Dr. Dorf was present at the organization meeting, several pastors in the Valley have been visitors, and Prof. Sadtler has been in charge of the service now and then. 

     Although the new congregation did not accept the constitution of Bethany Church as the Church Council requested, the Council did not oppose the admission of the congregation into the Kansas Conference. There is nothing the mother-church would rather see than that her child would grow and wax strong in the love and knowledge of God.


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A 1910 photograph of Messiah Lutheran Church and Congregation 
Beyond is Bethany College Lane Hart Hall
Photograph by B. G. Grondal was taken from the ground where Emil's and Lydia's home was to be built in 1940
Picture
Source: "G.N. Malm -- A Man of Varied Interest" by Dr. Emory Lindquist / Photographer: B.G. Grondal
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