The Evangelical Covenant Church of Lanyon, Iowa
[Source: “Lost Grove Township,” 1869-1969, anniversary book, p. 7.]
Many immigrants came to Lost Grove Township in the years 1875 and 1876. As with all pioneers after establishing their homes their next thoughts were of the education of their children. The first school house in the southern part of the township was the Henry Peterson or Lost Grove. This was 1 ½ miles west of the present town of Lanyon. Their next thought was of their religious needs. In the spring of 1877, a Sunday School was organized and held in this school house. Those responsible for this were Carl A. Carlson and S. M. Main, deacons of in the Swedish Lutheran Church in Gowrie. Thus, it was that the S.S. preceded the church. However soon visiting lay preachers were coming occasionally to bring the Gospel to the settlers. Among these men were the Reverends C. Bjork, John Peterson, M. Sundin, Solomon Johnson and P. Viden.
On July 4, 1868 the Mission Friends of Swede Bend organized into the Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Association. Rev. Bjork, a shoe maker, was elected traveling preacher with headquarters at Swede Bend. Thus, it was that he visited this community as early as 1870.
By October 1870 this association had grown until it took in Swede Bend, Swede Point and Boonesville. Rev. Bjork also served Pilot Mound, Moingona, Mantano, Swede Valley, Marshalltown, Ogden, West Dayton and Lost Grove. At times he even went as far as Sioux City.
In March 1876 Rev. A. Hallner held several weeks of revival meetings at the Bishop school house, ½ mile east of Lanyon. As a result, on September 1, 1877 a meeting was held at the Lost Grove school to organize a congregation. Nine of those present signed as Charter members. They were:
J. W. Johnson Carl Peterson
J. L. Wilson J. P. Johnson
Andrew Perry C. A. Carlson
A. Johnson August Schultz
Charles Malmberg
Their wives brought the number up to sixteen. Among those at this meeting was a 15-year-old boy, C. B. Johnson, who later became a minister for the congregation then being organized. These pioneer Christians decided to call themselves “Lost Grove Mission Forening” (The Lost Grove Missionary Association). The first official board consisted of:
John P. Johnson, Chairman
Andrew Perry, Vice-Chairman
Oscar Peterson, Secretary
Andrew Johnson, Treasurer
Deacons C. A. Carlson
J. W. Johnson
J. L. Wilson
Trustees C. Peterson
August Schultz.
On December 14, 1878 John P. Johnson represented Lost Grove on the Historic Governing Board which had charge of the Missionary activities of the Swede Bend Mission Association. This was the first such association among the Mission Friends in America. By 1935 the Greater Covenant of Missions had grown to 425 congregations.
In 1888 a church was built on the same corner as the school house. In 1890 a parsonage was built. In 1904 the church was remodeled with an addition to it.
On August 9, 1909 it was decided to build a new church in the town of Lanyon. John Carlson and Charles Amandus were hired to do the building. It was dedicated on October 26, 1910. The parsonage was moved into town in August 1912. This is at the north edge of town and it is now occupied by Mr. & Mrs. Paul West. The old church building was sold in 1915. On January 11, 1921 the present parsonage was purchased from C. J. Carlson.
There have been many improvements and changes made in the church over the years. Each one adding to the beauty of its services.
From the first Missionary work has been most important to the church and from its members many have gone out to carry the Christian message to other parts of the world.
Ministers serving over the years have been:
G. Norsen 1878 – 1879
J. F. Gillberg 1879 – 1885
C. B. Johnson 1885 – 1892
August Peterson 1894 – 1900
Oscar Palmberg 1901 – 1907
Adolph Anderson 1907 – 1920
G. D. Hall 1920 – 1927
J. Theo. Johnson 1927 – 1934
Carl E. Beckstrom 1934 – 1937
Paul LeRoy Olson 1937 – 1941
Elmer Dahlstrom 1942 – 1950
Geo. M. Schermer 1951 – 1953
Theo. Clemens (interim) 1953 – 1954
Gilbert C. Anderson 1954 – 1961
John E. Lind 1961 – 1964
Milton Swanson 1964 – 1966
Walter G. Enstrom 1966 – 1967
Raymond L. Johnson 1968 –
[This page may have been written by Dr. Obed Simon Johnson.]