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Meriden
Swedish Baptist Church
Organized
September 27, 1869
Rev. A. O.
Malmberg was chosen pastor and served until 1887. The church had most
of the time trouble within its ranks, yet it continued for fully 60
years. At certain periods it had revivals and additions to its
membership. Some members moved to California. Among them
pastor
Malmberg with family. Here they organized the Linne Baptist church in
San Luis Obispo county. The organization has disbanded.
Some
members
moved to Orleans, S. Dak. Here they organized a Swedish Baptist church
of eight members. That church prospered and grew in membership. Later
it merged with two other Baptist churches at Norbeck.
When C. G. Nelson was pastor, the church erected a very |
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fine house
of
worship and the writer was present at the dedication. There was usually
good attendance at their public services, but at the very festival of
the dedication it was a lack of harmony and soon there was trouble
about the church debt and the young pastor moved away.
During its
history many souls have been converted. This was especially the case
when a great revival took place while Paul Johnson was State
missionary.
Finally, the
Baptist organization disbanded. The property was sold to the Free
church which is doing good evangelistic work in the large Swedish
settlement.
Rev. A. O. Malmberg is still living, having entered on the 99th year of
his life.
(Source: 80 Years of
Swedish Baptist Work in Iowa, 1853 - 1933, by L. J. Ahlstrom. pgs
266-267) |
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The
Swedish Baptist Church in Meriden was organized on the 27th of
September 1869 with five members. Brother A. O. Malmberg was the
congregation's leader from its organization until the year 1887. The
church joined the Iowa, Nebraska and Dakota conference in 1873. It was
reorganized with 21 members on the 20th of September 1880.
Brother
C. G. Nelson was called and was the church's pastor from 1887 until
1890. During that time the church building was erected and paid for.
Brother L. E. Olson (Farell) served the church during the vacation of
1892. Brother Alfred Lindberg served during the vacation periods of
1894 and 1895. Brother P. G. Nelson came to Meriden in the spring of
1898 and served the church until the fall of 1899. After him, Brother
Gust Hall was called and served the church for three years. During his
period of service,the church built a parsonage. The number of members
when Brother Hall left was 19. The church is without a pastor for the
present.
(Source: Minnes-Album
Over Svennska Baptisternas i Iowa...1883 - 1908, pg. 51)
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