Iola in Waupaca County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Serving to The "Glory of God"

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, May 7, 2026

1. Serving to The "Glory of God"

Inscription.

Serving to The "Glory of God". . , Organization of Our Savior's Lutheran Church began on Jan. 26, 1904, with plans to build a church. On Feb. 17, church designs were approved, with future wiring installed to "get it lit by means of electricity." The building contact was $7,734, with $560 added to install "(stained) "window glass. Incorporated as the Iola Norwegian Evangelical (United) Lutheran Church on July 16, 1904, the church's first service was held on Nov. 20, 1904, and it first annual meeting held Dec. 3, 1904. The church was formally dedicated to the "Glory of God" on Sunday, Nov. 5, 1905, by Pastor N. J. Ellestad, assisted by pastor Farseth of New Hope, Aasgaard, Ove Kluxdal Hegland, and Hoglum. On Dec. 5, 1921, church name formally changed from Evangelical Lutheran to Our Savior's., The history of Our Savior's can be tracked to 1853/54, when the Lutheran ministry began in this area. On Nov. 4, 1854. Pastor Olaus Frederick Duus became the first pastor of the Scandinaia Luther Church. The first service was held in that church on Sept. 17, 1857. Conflicting Lutheran doctrine prompted the organization of a First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in Iola in 1889, with its church being built on South Main Street. In 1937, the Zion Church merged with Our Savior's. , (continued on other side), Reverse , Serving to the "Glory of God" , (continued from other side), Our Savior's first pastor was Ole Nilsen, the pastor at Scandinavia, who served Iola on an interim basis, until the congregation called its first resident pastor. Jens Mathieson, wo served 1905-08, 1925-30, and 1933-35. Subsequent pastors were: Dietrichson - 1908-09; Vang - 1909-11; Thompson - 1914-19; Smeby - 1919-24; Kolset - 1930-31; Odegaard - 1931-33; Tanner - 1935-40; Gjellstad - 1940-41; Aamoth - 1941-51; Holm - 1951-52; Quam - 1952-56; Bjorgan - 1956; Halvorson - 1956; Hulterstrum - 1946-60; Roufs - 1960-68; Michelsen - 1968; Lease - 1968-84; Hots - 1984-99; Falksen - 1996-2001; Schaffmeyer - 2000-01; Gjerset - 2001-04; Olsen - 2005-17; Supply Pastors - 2017-19; and 21-25; Weaver - 2019-21; Kenny - 2025-ongoing., In its early years, Our Savior's and the Hitterdahl congregations briefly united to share pastoral services. The joint congregations purchased the former Ole J. Olson home at Iola and Jackson streets as a parsonage. In the teens and 1920's, Our Savior's also enjoyed a pastoral relationship with the Ogdensburg Lutheran Church. Synod relationships of the church were with the United Lutheran Synod (1904-17), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America (1917-46), Evangelical Lutheran Church (1946-60), American Lutheran Church (1960-87), and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (1987-present).

Organization of Our Savior's Lutheran Church began on Jan. 26, 1904, with plans to build a church. On Feb. 17, church designs were approved, with future wiring installed to "get it lit by means of electricity." The building contact was $7,734, with $560 added to install "(stained) "window glass. Incorporated as the Iola Norwegian Evangelical (United) Lutheran Church on July 16, 1904, the church's first service was held on Nov. 20, 1904, and it first annual meeting held Dec. 3, 1904. The church was formally dedicated to the "Glory of God" on Sunday, Nov. 5, 1905, by Pastor N. J. Ellestad, assisted by pastor Farseth of New Hope, Aasgaard, Ove Kluxdal Hegland, and Hoglum. On Dec. 5, 1921, church name formally changed from Evangelical Lutheran to Our Savior's.

The history of Our Savior's can be tracked to 1853/54, when the Lutheran ministry began in this area. On Nov. 4, 1854. Pastor Olaus Frederick Duus became the first pastor of the Scandinaia Luther Church. The first service was held in that church on Sept. 17, 1857. Conflicting Lutheran doctrine prompted the organization of a First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church

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in Iola in 1889, with its church being built on South Main Street. In 1937, the Zion Church merged with Our Savior's.
(continued on other side)

Reverse
Serving to the "Glory of God"
(continued from other side)

Our Savior's first pastor was Ole Nilsen, the pastor at Scandinavia, who served Iola on an interim basis, until the congregation called its first resident pastor. Jens Mathieson, wo served 1905-08, 1925-30, and 1933-35. Subsequent pastors were: Dietrichson - 1908-09; Vang - 1909-11; Thompson - 1914-19; Smeby - 1919-24; Kolset - 1930-31; Odegaard - 1931-33; Tanner - 1935-40; Gjellstad - 1940-41; Aamoth - 1941-51; Holm - 1951-52; Quam - 1952-56; Bjorgan - 1956; Halvorson - 1956; Hulterstrum - 1946-60; Roufs - 1960-68; Michelsen - 1968; Lease - 1968-84; Hots - 1984-99; Falksen - 1996-2001; Schaffmeyer - 2000-01; Gjerset - 2001-04; Olsen - 2005-17; Supply Pastors - 2017-19; & 21-25; Weaver - 2019-21; Kenny - 2025-ongoing.

In its early years, Our Savior's and the Hitterdahl congregations briefly united to share pastoral services. The joint congregations purchased the former Ole J. Olson home at Iola and Jackson streets as a parsonage.

Serving to The "Glory of God" (continued from other side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, May 7, 2026

2. Serving to The "Glory of God" (continued from other side)

In the teens and 1920's, Our Savior's also enjoyed a pastoral relationship with the Ogdensburg Lutheran Church. Synod relationships of the church were with the United Lutheran Synod (1904-17), Norwegian Lutheran Church of America (1917-46), Evangelical Lutheran Church (1946-60), American Lutheran Church (1960-87), and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (1987-present).

Erected 2026 by Iola Historical Society. (Marker Number 26.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 44° 30.369′ N, 89° 7.582′ W. Marker is in Iola, Wisconsin, in Waupaca County. It is at the intersection of East Iola Street and John Street, on the right when traveling west on East Iola Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 395 E Iola St, Iola WI 54945, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

Serving to The "Glory of God" Marker and Our Savior Lutheran Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, May 7, 2026

3. Serving to The "Glory of God" Marker and Our Savior Lutheran Church

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Birthplace of Numismatic News (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Iola Cancer & Tumor Sanitarium (approx. 0.2 miles away); Iola Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Iola’s Early History (approx. 0.2 miles away); R. I. Anderson Machine Shop (approx. 0.2 miles away); "I’m Chet" / Some Chet Krause Lifetime Highlights (approx. 0.2 miles away); Krause Publications (approx. 0.2 miles away); The CWEC Electrified Rural Iola in 1939 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Iola.

Photographed by Susan Van Den Bosch, May 7, 2026

4. Cornerstone

Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2026, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 7, 2026, by Susan Van Den Bosch of Almond, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.