later became pastor in our Synod. The present Sunday School was organized on April 16, 1933, with the following officers: John G. Amdahl, Supt., Olava Hammersland, Sec'y. and Mildred Rogness, Treas. These officials were joined by Mrs. Amdahl in becoming the first Sunday School teaching staff.

The Stavanger congregation was separated from Washington Prairie and Calmar in 1896. They were ministered by these pastors between that date and 198-: Rev. H. J. G. Krogh, 1896-1902; Rev. Bernt Askevold, 1902-1912; Rev. Kr. Kvamme, 1912-1938; Rev. Hans G. Magelssen, 1938-1942; Rev. V. A. Fiskerbeck, 1942-1957; Rev. Paul Lionberger, 1957-1958; Rev. Einar Jorgenson, 1958-1961; Rev. Donald Severson, 1961-1963; Rev. Duane Manson, 1963-1979; and the present pastor, Rev. Jack Peterson, since August of 1979. During the interim service of Pastor Lionberger, the Wayne Sender residence near the Ossian Lutheran Church was purchased as a parsonage.

A new parish hall was erected on the east side of the church in 1950. It was dedicated on the 14th of May. District President V. T. Jordahl of Mason City gave the dedicatory address with greetings being brought by neighboring pastors, including the Rev. J. W. Ylvisaker, president of Luther College.

The new building, 30 X 66', consists of both basement and superstructure. It allows ample room for all activities of the congregation. The building is of cement block construction and makes an ideal housing for parish Christian education. Its many rooms serve adequately as class rooms for the Sunday School. In addition mo the main structure, there is an additional room, 16 X 24', which houses the new automatic oil furnace ana the lavatories. A reception room, completely furnished with lounge chair and library table, connects the parish hall with the church.

In the erection of this building, the actual expenditure was less than $18,000. The large amount of donated labor on the part of parishioners held costs to a minimum .

The church itself was redecorated during the years 1952 and 1953- The building presented a pleasing appearance to visitors at the celebration of hundred years of worship by the Stavanger congregation held on August 2, 1953.

In 1957 the church rules were liberalized by lowering the voting age of its members from 21 to 18 and extending the franchise to the women of the congregation.

On October 11, 1964, Mrs. B. G. Nesvik was honored for her forty years of service as organist for the congregation.

The church council decided to donate several old artifacts to the Norwegian American Museum at Decorah in 1967- These three articles were included: the old hymn boards, the committal shovel and the old baptismal bowl, dated 1797.

The estate of Jensine and Laurie Johnson was received this same year. It has been used in several ways including: perpetual care fund of the cemetery, mission work in Taiwan, memorial windows in the entrance and renovation of the entry.

In 1969, several black children from Waterloo joined the young members of the congregation in daily vacation bible school. This year a pageant entitled, "Living Stones", written by Mrs. Leonard Anfinson, was presented by members. It reviewed the century of service by the Stavanger church to the spiritual needs of the community .

The church building was badly damaged by a tornado on Sept. 9. 1970. The chimeny was toppled through the roof of the parish hall and on into the basement. The stained glass windows were broken, resulting in much water damage. However the congregation united their efforts to restore the church to its original beauty.

A tribute to the devoted service of Clarence Moen as custodian was penned by Catharine Anfinson upon his retirement from these duties in 1971. Clarence had served for 27 years.

The churches of Ossian—Stavanger, Ossian Lutheran and St. Francis Catholic— joined in presenting a program, "Signs of the Faith", for Ossian's celebration of its3 125th anniversary.

We find it of interest that communal services at the Stavanger Church, founded by Old High Church Norwegians, were still recorded as "High Mass" well into the 20th century.