The History of First Evangelical Lutheran Church from 1878-2019

The Creation of First Lutheran - History of Ryssby

In 1869 eight families arrived from Smaland, Sweden.

Aron Peterson organized services in the home of Sven Johnson as his home was the only one in the community (Ryssby area).

On Christmas, 1871, the first service called Julotta was held and is now celebrated on each Christmas morning at First Lutheran.

In 1875 a log school house was constructed in the Ryssby area.

In 1877 Rev. Fredrick Lagerman came to the community to lead the settkers at a church to be called "Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ryssby, Boulder County, Colorado."

In 1878 a decision was made to purchase a farm for the parsonage and to begin planning a church (present Ryssby Church location)–Church of Ryssby as officially formed–although exact date not available.

On February 27, 1878, Rev Lagerman was called as a pastor at a salary of $300/year. He served from 1878-1881.

On January 3, 1881, Hugo Anderson donated 3 acres to build the church of stone (present Ryssby Church location)–a parsonage was built across the street.

On October 31, 1881 (Reformation Sunday), the cornerstone was laid at Ryssby, and by midsummer day, June 24, 1882, the Ryssby Church was dedicated.

Original Ryssby Church

This image of Ryssby hangs in the narthex of the Ryssby Church in Sweden.

Ryssby Church After Lightning Strike Collapsed the Steeple

On June 20, 1971, the rebuilt tower was dedicated.

Early in 1976 renovation was completed (18" walls, roof and ceiling reinforced, door installed on South wall, and repaired furniture).

On September 25, 1977, the cornerstone was opened.

Ryssby Fences Surrounding Church

"Ryssby Kyrka" means "Ryssby Church."

The main entry walk (through gate on 63rd Street) states "ARA VARE GUD I HOJDEN" which means "Glory to God in the Highest."

Six church panels (on fence) symbolizes journey from Sweden to Colorado (starting at North end of 63rd Street). (Thanks to Rusty Brockman)

1. Ryssby Church in Sweden

2. Embark on Journey from Sweden to the United States by Steamship

3. Cross Ocean from Sweden to United States

4. Cross United States by Train

5. Plowing the Field in Colorado

6. Building Ryssby in Colorado

Midsummer Festival at Ryssby

In 1924 Pastor Luther Stromquist restarted the tradition of a midsummer festival of First Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Christmas Service at Ryssby

With more than 200 candles shedding soft light over the handmade wood pews and the old pot-bellied stove, it isn't very difficult to reconstruct the days when pioneer families assembled and sang praises to God. This service was restarted in 1938 to duplicate the old-time Julotta services.

Altar at Ryssby

Ryssby Christmas Candlelight Service held by Pastor Hubert Hanson (photo courtesy of Elmquist Family).

St. Stephens Church on Main Street

Between 1881 and 1887, Ryssby fell on hard times. In 1887, the congregation in Ryssby and one in Golden were united into one parish. They met at St. Stephens Episcopal Church on Main Street in Longmont. This was the beginning of the change from Ryssby to First Lutheran. Services were held every other Sunday as the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The Change from Ryssby to Elim Church

Between 1901 and 1904, the Elim congregation was formed and they purchased the old Methodist Church at 326 Terry (present Ahlberg Funeral Home).

On January 3, 1905, Ryssby was abandoned.

In December 1908, the Longmont congregation invited the Ryssby congregation to merge with the Elim congregation. However, the merger did not take place until January 10, 1914.

On January 10, 1914, Ryssby and Elim merged.

English services were held in the morning and Swedish services at night.

19 years later, in 1924, Rev. Luther Stromquist of Longmont and an interested group repaired the scars at Ryssby and held a Midsummer Memorial Service.

In 1933, Ryssby was declared a State Historical Site.

Colorado Historical Society Plaque Presented on January 25, 1933

Banner of Jesus Tending His Flock

This image, which now hangs on the wall in our sanctuary (old choir loft), originally hung in the center of the altar at Elim.

About the word Elim: Elim is referenced in Exodus 15:27 and Numbers 33:9. Elim in the Bible was an Oasis of 12 wells and date palms trees. The Isrealites camped at Elim after crossing the Red Sea on the their journey from Egypt.

Pastors Serving Ryssby and Elim Church

Frederick Lagerman, 1878-1881 at Ryssby
L.J. Sanden, 1883-1884 at Ryssby
F.A. Linder, 1887-1888 at Ryssby
C.J. Maxell, 1888-1890 at Ryssby and Elim
Peter Lofgren, 1890-1898 at Ryssby and Elim
J.A. Rinell, 1900-1901 at Ryssby and Elim
J.F. Ahlin, 1902-1907 at Ryssby and Elim
A.M. Brolen, 1909-1913 at Ryssby and Elim
C.A. Carlson, 1914-1921 at Elim
Luther Stromquist, 1922-1935 at Elim
Carl Segerhammar, 1935-1946, beginning at Elim

(Image of the 1935 call acceptance letter from the Rev. Carl Segerhammar.)

On September 19, 1937, Ground was Broken for the Present Church

500 tons of stone were hauled by church members from a quarry near Lyons.

Building with the parsonage was dedicated on July 10, 1938. Total cost of building and furnishings was $53,000. However, much was donated including the stained-glass windows. The Dorcas Society (original women's group) donated over $10,000 to buy property.

Church name was changed from Elim to First Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The dedication service for the sanctuary was on July 10, 1938.

Parsonage was moved in 1968 to St. Vrain Road in Longmont (by airport).

Sunday School (South Wing) Addition

On October 29, 1950 (Reformation Sunday), ground was broken for a new two-story Sunday School addition (South Wing). A cornerstone was laid January 28, 1951–70 years after the laying of the Ryssby cornerstone in 1881. (Another source has a conflicting date of October 31, 1937 that the cornerstone was laid.) This cornerstone is located by the bell tower.

The cornerstone consisted of one English, Swedish and Catechism Bibles, a Swedish Psalmbook, an English Hymnal, a copy of Augustana and Lutheran Companion, a copy of Kansas Conference Lutheran, and sixteen miscellaneous items.

Original Kilgen Organ

(Now Resides in Chapel)

The Messenger

In July 1938, the Luther League started publishing the first monthly newsletter called "The Messenger."

West Wing

In 1968 it was decided that a building addition was needed and the "West Wing" was added. A wooden plow (symbolic) was used to demonstrate how hard work was required to accomplish this. The wood plow now resides in the Courtyard.

On March 23, 1969, the cornerstone for the West Wing was placed. Pastor Eugene Larson (husband of Jean Larson), Alinia Finnegan and Artie Elmquist took part in laying of the cornerstone. The location of the cornerstone is by the double doors exiting to the upper parking lot.

The West Wing addition was dedicated on February 22, 1970.

Longmont in 1976

Longmont became a town in 1870, originally called the Chicago Colony.

FIRST LUTHERAN NOTES OF INTEREST:

In 1976 the Good Samaritan Fund was organized.

On September 11, 1977, the first Rally Sunday was held.

In 1978 First Lutheran celebrated its 100th Anniversary.

In 1978 the Green Lutheran Book of Worship replaced the Red 1958 Hymnal.

In 1981 the Chancel Bell Choir was organized.

In 1988 the Lutheran Church in America (LCA), the American Lutheran Church (ALC), and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC) merged to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

In 1990 the renovation project of the South Wing, constructed in 1950, was completed.

In 1993 the Good Samaritan Education Scholarship was established.

In 1993 the Reflection Choir was organized.

In 2006 the Cranberry Worship Hymnal replaced the Green Hymnal.

Casavant Pipe Organ

In 1984 the Casavant Pipe Organ was installed in the Choir Loft.

Community Outreach

In 1987 First Lutheran joined other Longmont organizations to support the OUR Center (Outreach United Resource Center).

St. Vrain Manor, another important outreach program, was formed with three other churches in Longmont in 1962.

Friendship Center

In 2000 the Friendship Center (Big Room) was constructed.

Pastors Serving First Evangelical Lutheran Church

(1935-2001)

Carl W. Segerhammer, 1935-1946

Roy Benson, 1947-1954

Wymore Goldberg, 1954-1960

Harry Myklebust, 1961-1966

A. Eugene Larson, 1966-1982 (husband of Jean Larson)

Bruce Welander, 1983-2002

Karen Weissenbuehler (Associate Pastor), 1988-1994

Beth Graham (Associate Pastor), 1995-1999

Bill Dion (Visitation Pastor), 1999-2007

Early 2000s

On September 9, 2001, Pastor Paul Judson wast installed as an Associate Pastor, two days before the 9/11 attacks.

In 2001, the church website was established.

Love, Peace, Mercy, Grace: Four quilted banners in stained glass motif were made and given by Interfaith Quilters in 2001, after the dedication of the new Friendship Center.

In 2003, First Lutheran celebrated its 125th Anniversay. Exploring our Roots, Spreading our Wings! anniversary celebration banner made by Phyllis L. Bohn. The apple tree represents First Lutheran Chuch, a strong, vibrant, growing congregation. Doves each represent one founding member of the Ryssby congregation (actually, there were eight). Two apples represent the merger in 1914 of the Ryssby Church and Elim Lutheran Church.

In 2004, Pastor Steve Burke was installed as Senior Pastor.

In 2008, Pastor Julie Brooks was installed as a part time Associate Pastor.

In 2008, the Fixer Upper group was organized by Marv Berg.

In 2008, the altar in the sanctuary was renovated.

2010s

In 2010, the Debt Reduction Fund was established to help pay off the mortgage of the Friendship Center.

First Lutheran Staff in 2015:

In 2017, Pastor Garrett Strussel was installed as Senior Pastor.

First Lutheran staff in 2018:

In 2018, Pastor Katie Emery was installed as an Associate Pastor.

In 2018, the sanctuary was renovated (painting and new carpet).

In 2018, First Lutheran celebrated its 140th Anniversary.

Metal Picture of the Last Supper

This hangs in the back hall. Donated by Ernest and Mildred Johnson.

First Lutheran Layout

Most church sanctuaries are built with the altar being the "Liturgical East End" of the church. Ryssby, Elim, and Ryssby Chapel (inside the present church) are properly oriented. However, our present church sanctuary is not, due to lot size. The three principle parts of the interior of the church are: the narthex (lower part of picture below), the nave (central part or main body), and the chancel or sanctuary, which includes the altar (upper part of the picture). From the front doors there is a center aisle that leads directly to the altar which symbolized that the Means of Grace is always open to anyone who honestly seeks it.

Altar Window

The altar window displays the inviting Christ (center) and adoring angels on each side window. Above the head of Christ is the dove (symbolic of the Holy Spirit). On either side, above the head of Christ are the symbols "Alpha and Omega" which speak of Christ as the first and the last.

Nave Window

(North Side of Sanctuary)

The crosses in the center window symbolize the crucifixon of Jesus.

Bronze Statue in Courtyard

This statue symbolizes our Mission Statement:

Rooted first in worship, learning, and hospitality, we are sent forth in the power of the Holy Spirit, to witness to Christ and to serve others, both in our households and in the wider community.

Thanks to Tim King