Vasa Lutheran Church
Celebrates 150 Years of Ministry
Of all the congregations in
Minnesota that are special to LSS, Vasa Lutheran Church holds a unique
place. It was at Vasa, in 1865, where Pastor Eric Norelius and his
congregation rescued an orphaned family of four Swedish children and began
Lutheran social ministry in Minnesota. It's the congregation where LSS
finds its beginning.
On September 11, 2005, Vasa
celebrated its 150th Anniversary in grand style, with Pastor Michael
Dobbins leading the worship service. The Gammelstad Manskor (Old Town
Men's Choir) from Lulea, Sweden, performed at two morning celebration
worship services. The church was packed with members and friends of this
venerable church.
Bishop Harold Usgaard (SE
Minnesota Synod of the ELCA) pointed to the Vasa congregation's
faithfulness in keeping the mission vital over the years. "A church's
history can be told best by its accomplishments in helping others." He
went on to demonstrate the work of Pastor Eric Norelius and the
congregation as they started and expanded their ministry of service to
vulnerable children.
At noon, the congregation and
guests assembled on the church lawn for a panoramic photo to commemorate
the occasion. Following the photo session, about 550 guests enjoyed a
Swedish meatball dinner in the church's education and fellowship center.
