Near Lake Lillian in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Tromso Norsk Evangeliske Kirken
(Tromso Norwegian Evangelical Church)
On August 16, 1885 thirty people met at the home of Erik and Anette Larsen located in Section 26 of Fahlun Township and under the direction of Rev. A.N. Kleven, a new Lutheran congregation was organized by the name of "Tromso Lutheran Church," because many of the charter members came from the province of Tromso in Norway. From their midst they selected for positions of leadership:
Erik Larsen, Chairperson
Salomon Salomonsen, Secretary
John J. Wick, Treasurer
John J. Wick, Nils Mathiesen and Hans M. Hakensen, Trustees.
Ole Haugan, Ole M. Salomonsen, Ellenmarie Salomonsen, Hans M. Haakensen, Marit Haakensen, Jakobine Haugan,
Designated song leaders.
On October 20, 1885 the St. Paul–Minneapolis and Manitoba Railroad granted permission to build a church on a four acre site in Section 1, Lake Lillian Township. Worship was held here until December 3, 1946.
In 1946 the congregation was relocated in the Village of Lake Lillian. A new church building was constructed and the name of the congregation was changed to "Grace Lutheran Church."
This memorial marker is erected in celebration of Tromso–Grace Lutheran Church's centennial, by descendants of the charter members: August 18, 1985.
Cemetery
1886
Erected 1985 by descendants of the charter members of Tromso-Grace Lutheran Church.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Norwegian-Americans series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1879.
Location. 44° 58.628′ N, 94° 53.632′ W. Marker is near Lake Lillian, Minnesota, in Kandiyohi County. It is on County Highway 8 north of 154th Avenue Southeast, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in Tromso Memorial Cemetery, approximately 2½ driving miles from the City of Lake Lillian. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15301 County Road 8 Southeast, Lake Lillian MN 56253, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Minnesota and specifically in Southwest Minnesota. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: US-Dakota War of 1862 Aftermath (approx. 0.7 miles away); Military Post (approx. 4.2 miles away); Dalton Johnson Wildlife Area (approx. 4.7 miles away); Farm Holiday Association (approx. 5½ miles away); Death of Captain Cady (approx. 5.9 miles away); Wakanda (approx. 6.4 miles away); John Other Day Camp (approx. 6.6 miles away); Carrie Johnson (approx. 7.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Lillian.
Also see . . .
1. Tromsψ. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on October 24, 2014.)
2. Tromso Cemetery Lake Lillian, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. (Submitted on May 9, 2025, by Luci j Baker Johnson of Seattle, Washington.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2014. This page has been viewed 931 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 24, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.




