On July 14, 1918 Reverend Olaf Carlson was installed as the full-time pastor for four different churches. Scandinavian Lutheran was in Four Mile, Montana, St. Peter’s Lutheran was in Sioux Pass, Montana, Bethel Lutheran was in Cartwright, North Dakota and the freshly started Zion Lutheran Church was in Fairview, Montana. As the years rolled on, attendance in most of the churches dwindled and they merged with Zion in Fairview. Scandinavian Lutheran joined with Zion in 1954, St. Peter’s in 1965 and, Bethel Lutheran in 1970. One hundred years from its beginning; from Sunday, May 27, through Saturday, July 21, Zion Lutheran Church took the time to remember the congregation’s past.
In truth, their remembrance began on Easter Sunday when attendees were greeted by the stunning sight of hundreds of white paper doves hanging from the ceiling of the sanctuary with the names of every baptized member from 1943 to date on them. On Memorial Sunday, May 27, a song service with a little history was held at the old St. Peter’s Lutheran Church site. On Sunday, June 10, a similar service was held at the old Scandinavian Lutheran site and June 24 a service was held at the old Bethel Lutheran. Also, as part of the celebrations, a model was made of each of the dissolved churches plus one of Zion Lutheran’s former church building. All four models are on display in the hallway just outside Zion’s sanctuary and they will be on a float in the Old Timer’s Festival Parade. Lastly, July 21 will be Zion Lutheran’s Open House and Ice Cream Social. It will start at 1 p.m.
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