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New Richland (MN) Church to Celebrate 125 Years
NEW RICHLAND, MN (June 17, 2002) - Vista Evangelical Covenant Church will
celebrate its 125th anniversary August 25 at the church with a special 10:
15 a.m. morning worship service, a noon meal and an afternoon program.
All are welcome for the noon luncheon, said anniversary event committee
member Frances Nelson, who is serving on the committee with her husband
John and Jim and Paula Hansen. Previous pastors from the church have been
invited along with past youth workers, Christian education workers and
music staff members.
Vista Evangelical Covenant Church is located just outside of New Richland,
a town of 1,100 about 80 miles south of the Twin Cities. According to
Covenant archive records, the church began in November 1876 as a small
group met to discuss becoming an independent church. Although it had no
resident pastor until 1886, the church constructed
its first building in 1878.
The congregation became an incorporated church February 6, 1885, with 32
charter members, although it didn't join the denomination until 1945. The
first full-time pastor was N.P. Walgren, who began his ministry at the
church in 1886. The current congregation has an average worship attendance
of more than 100 under Pastor Dick Williams.
One longtime member, Lillie Peterson, has been around nearly as long as the
church has been doing ministry. Peterson turned 104 years old on May 25.
For more information on Vista Evangelical Covenant Church and its
anniversary celebration, call the church at 507-465-8365.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
