CHURCHES OF PALO ALTO COUNTY
From Atlas of Palo Alto County
Compiled 1969 by Title Atlas Company; Minneapolis, Minnesota

ST. PAUL'S  LUTHERAN CHURCH
SOUTH WALNUT TOWNSHIP

     A group of settlers had been asked to meet at the home of Knud Thuesen on July 7, 1884, and this date became one of importance in the history of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of South Walnut Township.
    The Knud Thuesen home was up the hill west of what was Fallow leaving the trail and turning over to the homestead, now owned by Jorgen Knutsen. Twenty men and many of their wives met to see what could be done to build a congregation of Danish Lutheran Church Society. The first officers were Jeppe Skow; Christian Skow; Niels Jensen; Peder F. Gylling, first Secretary; and Christian Henningsen, Treasurer.
    The new congregation wanted to do its share in establishing the Kingdom of God in Palo Alto. Services were held in school houses and homes, barns, and other convenient places. For a time, the group was served by Rev. G.B. Christiansen, who came from Albert Lea about once every 6 weeks. Pastor H. Jensen visited the settlement only a few times and likewise Pastor Johannes Simonsen from Spencer.
    On June 6, 1892, the group met to incorporate the congregation in order that it could legally receive and own property. Jens and Lars Olesen donated 2 acres of land to be used as a cemetery. June 14, 1892, the Articles of Incorporation were recorded. The trustees were Knud Thuesen; Christian Henningsen; and Henry Brown. The building committee collected $800 and built a church, the present church, at a cost of $761.53, leaving a small balance of $37.47 in the building fund. Henry Brown was the architect. The church was finished in 1893 and dedicated Aug. 20, 1893, by Rev. P.C. Trandberg.
    On Aug. 21, 1893, Rev. M.C.J. Engholm was ordained, and was the first resident pastor of the congregation. The next spring, on May 20, 1894, Rev. C.C. Mengers and Rev. John Thoreson, and on the same day, Rev. Engholm was married. Rev. Trandberg served at both ceremonies.
    In 1923, the church was moved from its original site to the present location north of the road.
    The 20 charter members were: Knud N. Thuesen; Jeppe J. Skow; Lars Duhn; Jorgen Petersen; Jens Olesen; Niels Jensen; Christian Skow; Jeppe Nielsen; Paul Paulsen; Jens Pedersen; Christian Henningsen; Christian K Larsen; Mads C. Larsen; Anders Pedersen; Knud M. Paulsen; Rasmus Jensen; Peder F. Gylling; Ole Simonsen; Hans D. Westergaard; and Rev. J. Danielsen.