.
Collection Overview
Title: Rockford First Lutheran Church Records, 1853-2005
ID: RHC/RC/083
Extent: 39.25 Linear Feet
Arrangement:
The first series contains the church’s historical files.
The files dating 1854-1979 are arranged alphabetically by subject and the files dating 1853-1899 are arranged chronologically. Series two contains minutes, reports, correspondence and agreements from the administrative bodies of the church.
All materials in this series are arranged chronologically with each subseries. In all cases materials are arranged chronologically by type. The records of several church organizations make up series four. Records of official pastoral acts and membership are found in series six.
Date Acquired: 11/21/1979. More info below under Accruals.
Subjects: Augustana Synod, Diaries-- 1840-1869, Diaries-- 1870-1909, First Lutheran Church (Rockford, Ill.), Lutherans, Nelson, John, Prohibition, Rockford (Ill.), Rockford Mitten and Hosiery Company, Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod in North America, Swedish Americans, Swedish Americans- Illinios- Rockford, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Diaries
Languages: English, Swedish
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The materials in this collection provide extensive documentation of the origins and growth of First Lutheran Church and of Rockford’s Swedish community from 1853 to 1970. The collection is arranged in six series which provide fairly complete information on all aspects of the history of the church. Researchers should note that although much of the pre-1930 material is in the Swedish language, translations of some of the core records are included.
The first series contains the church’s historical files. The materials in this series were put together to aid in the preparation of the church’s centennial album (1954) and were updated thereafter. The files dating 1854-1979 are arranged alphabetically by subject and the files dating 1853-1899 are arranged chronologically. Also contained in this series are anniversary albums and programs; publications; materials relating to prominent church members; newspaper clippings and photographs and date 1856-1969. This series serves as an outline of the subjects and types of materials found in the rest of the collection.
Series two contains minutes, reports, correspondence and agreements from the administrative bodies of the church. Included in this series are minutes of annual congregational meetings, 1854-1969; minutes of Deacons and Trustees joint meetings, 1864-1943; minutes of Trustees meetings, Trustees’ correspondence, agreements, and reports, (1889-1966); minutes of Deacons meetings, 1944-1966; minutes, resolutions, and correspondence of the Church Council and Board of Administration, (1957-1977). All materials in this series are arranged chronologically with each subseries. Microfilmed minutes, which were added at a later time, are in Box 38A.
The church’s general financial records are found in series three and span the years 1854-1978. Types of materials include: general ledgers, 1883-1895, (1912-1961); annual statements, 1854-1968; treasurer’s reports, (1897-1960); day books, (1868-1929); dues records, 1864-1976, 1898-1906, 1916-1929; pledges, 1929-1968; Savings Bank records, (1876-1902); and J. Godfrey Grant legacy account, 1920-1942. In all cases materials are arranged chronologically by type. Researchers should note that printed monthly reports containing financial data are located in series six.
The records of several church organizations make up series four and span the entire history of the church. Types of materials found in this series include minutes, financial records, membership data, programs, publications, and scrapbooks. The activities of the following organizations are partially documented: Brotherhood, 1926-1953; Jubilee Chorus, 1904-1954; Ladies Aid Society, 1883-1958; Luther League, 1877-1965; Sunday School, 1870-1966; and missionary societies, 1870-1960. Although there are gaps in the records of all the listed organizations, documentation for the Brotherhood, Luther League, and missionary societies is the most comprehensive.
Series five contains printed materials from First Lutheran including monthly reports (1909-1959); bulletins, (1892-1978); and newsletters, 1957-1978. Also contained in this series is publications from the district, synod, and national levels.
Records of official pastoral acts and membership are found in series six. Types of materials include: original members, 1894; membership records, 1929-1954; confirmation data, 1857-1955; and transfer records, 1929-1954. Although the bulk of the records of official acts remain with the church at this time, the Center expects First Lutheran to add these materials to the collection in 1980 or 1981.
Collection Historical Note
In the fall of 1853 Dr. Erland Carlsson of Chicago visited the new Scandinavian community in Rockford to see if it was feasible to organize a new congregation. As a result of this meeting a formal petition was sent to the United Chicago and Mississippi Conference requesting that a pastor be sent to Rockford to organize a church. Dr. Carlsson returned to Rockford on January 15, 1854 and met with the group to organize the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran congregation. The congregation’s first deacons were John Peterson and Jonas Larson and the trustees chosen were John Lundback and Joseph Lindgren. The new church’s first regular pastor, Andress Andreen, began his duties in 1856.
From 1854 to 1860 First Lutheran belonged to the Synod of Northern Illinois but in 1860 the congregation decided to join the newly created Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod of North America. This synod became predominantly Swedish-American in 1870 when Norwegian Lutherans withdrew their congregation. The tremendous growth of the Swedish community in Rockford after the Civil War led to increased membership rolls at First Lutheran. To accommodate this growth the church erected three new structures in 1865, 1870 and the building currently in use, 1884. Despite a split in the congregation in 1883, which led to the formation of a new church, First Lutheran’s growth continued and the church expanded its activities. Among the many organizations founded during the last half of the 19th century were: Sunday School, 1853; Temperance Society, 1857; Savings Bank, 1869; Youth Society, 1878; Ladies Aid Society, 1883; and Women’s Missionary Society, 1890.
In addition to their church activities, many of First Lutheran’s members were beginning to make their mark in Rockford’s business community, especially in the knitting and furniture industries. John Nelson moved to the forefront of the knitting industry when he perfected and patented a machine which would knit a stocking automatically. Besides his role in the Nelson Knitting Co., John Nelson also helped to organize the Rockford Mitten Co. in 1881. The furniture industry attracted many of First Lutheran’s members including S. A. Johnson, L. M. Noling, August Peterson and A. P. Floberg who were the chief officers of the Central Furniture Co. organized in 1879. Several other furniture companies, including Forest City Furniture Co. and Union Furniture Co. were organized by members of First Lutheran and provided employment for many members.
As the congregation approached its 50th anniversary in 1904, First Lutheran had grown to become one of the largest Swedish Lutheran congregations in the United States and one of the dominant forces in the spiritual, economic, and political life of Rockford. The history of First Lutheran in the twentieth century revolves around the lengthy pastorates of Johann F. Seedhoff (1896-1927) and Albert Loreen (1928-1956). During the early years under Pastor Seedhoff First Lutheran added to its property, played an active role in the temperance movement in Rockford, and entered the growing debate over the transition from Swedish to English in church services.
By the 1920’s, declining memberships, controversy over the Grant estate, and the congregation’s dissatisfaction with Pastor Seedhoff’s leadership led to his resignation in 1927. Albert Loreen began his lengthy term as pastor in 1928 and under his direction First Lutheran completed the transition to the English language, became more directly involved in youth programs, care for the elderly, and hospital work. In the mid-1950’s First Lutheran joined with other members of the Augustana Synod and entered into discussions with other Lutheran church bodies which culminated in the formation of the Lutheran Church in America in 1962.
Despite pressures to relocate due to population shifts, First Lutheran remains in the center of the old Swedish neighborhood and continues to use the church built in 1884.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Northern Illinois University
Accruals:
Additional records were added at later dates.
Access Restrictions:
There are no restrictions on access to the collection.
Use Restrictions:
Property rights in the collection are held by First Lutheran Church; literary rights are dedicated to the public.
Acquisition Source:
Reverend Arne Peterson
Acquisition Method:
Reverend Arne Peterson deposited the records of First Lutheran Church with the Northern Illinois Regional History Center on November 21, 1979.
Related Materials:
Researchers using this collection may also wish to consult other related manuscript collections held by the Regional History Center: Salem Lutheran Church, Sandwich (RC 84); Rockford Mitten and Hosiery (RC 38); Rockford Chair and Furniture (RC 42); Rockford Small Business (RC 57); National Chair (RC 59); Good Templars, (RC 66).
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series I: Historical Files],
[
Series II: Administrative Material],
[
Series III: Financial Records],
[
Series IV: Church Organizations],
[
Series V: First Lutheran],
[
Series VI: Membership and Pastorial Records],
[
Addendum I: June 1985],
[
Addendum II: July 1998],
[
Addendum III: April 2005],
[
All]
- Series I: Historical Files
- Sub-Series A: 1854-1979 (Alphabetical)
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Acolytes, 1964
- Folder 2: Activity reports of pastor and assistants, 1971-1975
- Folder 3: Alter Guild; manuals, 1944, 1947
- Folder 4: Anderson family
- Folder 5: Anderson, Johannes
- Folder 6: Anderson, Lars Peter
- Folder 7: Anniversary clippings and letters
- Folder 8: Anniversary programs, 1904-1964
- Folder 9-10: Annual reports, 1939-1978
- Folder 11: Appraisal, 1975
- Folder 12: Archives
- Folder 13: Augustana Synod, 1930, 1960
- Folder 14: Basketball
- Folder 15-16: Bell correspondence, 1890-1905
- Folder 17: Bethpage mission
- Folder 18: Bjork, Anna
- Folder 19: Blueprints, Church and Loreen Hall
- Folder 20: Borgren, Bertha; Estate, 1974
- Folder 21: Boy Scouts and Pro Deo Et Patria
- Folder 22: Brotherhood, 1954-1965
- Folder 23: Budgets, 1971-1974
- Folder 24: Building Fund, 1952
- Folder 25: Business agreements, 1956-1958
- Folder 26: Centennial album worksheet, 1954
- Folder 27: Challenge, 1974-1975
- Folder 28: Chapel; South Park, 1904
- Folder 29: Chaplain, Army (Neal Pearson)
- Folder 30: Charter members, 1854
- Folder 31: Chinquist and Wenstrom
- Folder 32: Choir, architect, 1883
- Folder 33: Choir Brotherhood, 1927
- Folder 34: Choir directors
- Folder 35: Choir, Jubilee
- Folder 36: Choir, Junior
- Folder 37: Choir programs, 1906-1975
- Folder 38: Choir school
- Folder 39: Choir, senior
- Folder 40: Church camp, Lutherdale
- Folder 41: Church correspondence, 1954-1956
- Folder 42: Church history; Constitution, 1852-1883, 1874
- Folder 43: Church lighting
- Folder 44: Church members, 19th century
- Folder 45: Church pageant, 1954
- Folder 46: Church properties, 1882-1892, 1941-1947
- Folder 47: Church repairs, 1902-1967
- Folder 48: Church split, 1882
- Folder 49: Conference meeting, housing, 1917
- Folder 50: Confirmation; Adult, 1859-1961
- Folder 51: Confirmation classes, 1859-1954
- Folder 52: Confirmation reunions, 1897-1964
- Folder 53: Congregational banquets, 1935-1948
- Folder 54: Constitutions, 1874, 1887, 1965-1966
- Folder 55: Contributions, 1900-1901
- Folder 56: Cottage meetings, 1963
- Box 2
- Folder 1: Debt fund contributions, 1899
- Folder 2: Early members
- Folder 3: Erlander, John and Albert
- Folder 4: Florin, Anna Sophia
- Folder 5: Funerals
- Folder 6: Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), 1901
- Folder 7: Gas rationing, 1944
- Folder 8: Genealogies
- Folder 9: Grant Legacy account, 1920-1925
- Folder 10: Haight Village restoration
- Folder 11: House Purchase, 1974-1975
- Folder 12: Illinois Conference, 1899,1917, 1936
- Folder 13: Insurance, 1893, 1907, 1960
- Folder 14: Interns
- Folder 15: Interviews with older families
- Folder 16: Johnson, Swen A.; family history, 1852- 1952
- Folder 17: Kuter, Mrs. Mary
- Folder 18: Ladies Aid, handbooks
- Folder 19: Lay assistants
- Folder 20: Lent
- Folder 21: Letters to congregation, 1954-1959
- Folder 22: Lindahl, Petter Pehrson
- Folder 23: Loreen, Albert; character sketches, 1971- 1972
- Folder 24: Loreen Albert; meditations, 1971
- Folder 25: Loreen Hall, 1950
- Folder 26: Lundvall, Elsie, 1974
- Folder 27: Luther Hall; Broadway Chapel Swede School2
- Folder 28: Luther League, 1914-1961
- Folder 29: Luther League; Texas Convention, 1960
- Folder 30: Lutheran Church Men, programs
- Folder 31: Lutheran Church Women
- Folder 32: Lutheran Church Women, programs
- Folder 33: Lutheran Church Women; yearbooks, 1959-1974
- Folder 34: Lutheran World Action
- Folder 35: Melodian
- Folder 36: Membership, circa 1899
- Folder 37: Memorial plan
- Folder 38: Microfilm project, 1970
- Folder 39: Midsommar Hogmassa, 1970-1972
- Folder 40: Missionaries
- Folder 41: Missionary Guild
- Folder 42: Mr. and Mrs. Club, 1951,1955
- Folder 43: Music, 1930-1966
- Folder 44: Newspaper clippings, First Lutheran
- Folder 45: Newspaper clippings, Luther Center
- Folder 46: Ordinations, 1929, 1970, 1974
- Folder 47: Organ
- Folder 48: Organ recitals
- Folder 49: Organists, 1854-1974
- Folder 50: Partners in Prayer
- Folder 51: Pastor George P. Bernard, 1957-1959
- Folder 52: Pastor Joel Haff, 1895-1896
- Folder 53: Pastor L. A. Johnson, 1886-1894
- Folder 54: Pastor P. Gerald Leaf, 1970-1976
- Folder 55: Pastor Albert Loreen, 1928-1977
- Folder 56: Pastor Loreen, weekly devotions, 1973-1974
- Folder 57: Pastor Raymond A. Mai, 1974
- Folder 58: Pastor Philip Nelson, 1962-1969
- Folder 59: Pastor Gustav Peters, 1882-1918
- Folder 60: Pastor Arne Peterson, 1977
- Folder 61: Pastor Johann F. Seedhoff, 1926-1939
- Folder 62: Pastor Melvin H. Sjostrand, 1959-1961
- Folder 63: Pastoral acts, 1903-1928
- Folder 64: Pastors' calls, 1886, 1927
- Folder 65: Peters, Gustaf; Autobiography and Diary, 1859-1867
- Folder 66: Peterson, P. A., Home
- Folder 67: Prayer vigil, 1961
- Folder 68: Programs; Augustana Synod, 1879-1943
- Box 3
- Folder 1: Property committee, 1970-19753
- Folder 2: Property, Pastor Mai
- Folder 3: Reception committee, 1919-1930
- Folder 4: Rockford church census, 1959
- Folder 5-6: Rockford history
- Folder 7: Rockford Lutheran planning study, 1965
- Folder 8: Rules of order, services
- Folder 9: Safe deposit box
- Folder 10: St. Mark's Church, 1961
- Folder 11: Salem Church, 1906
- Folder 12: Sandberg, Carl; letter, 1954
- Folder 13: Savings Bank, 1895, 1900-1902
- Folder 14: Scholarships, 1957-1958
- Folder 15: Servicemen, 1945, 1954, 1960
- Folder 16: Social ministry, 1966-1968
- Folder 17: Sound and telephone systems
- Folder 18: Sunday School teachers, 1959-1961
- Folder 19: Sunshine Committee, 1940, 1955
- Folder 20: Survey; Joint Lutheran Community, 1964-1965
- Folder 21: Survey; relocation, 1959
- Folder 22: Swedish Pioneer Centennial, 1948
- Folder 23: Temperance Union, 1906
- Folder 24: Treasurer s Relief Fund, 1906-1902
- Folder 25: Ushers, 1918-1962
- Folder 26: Weekday Bible School; minutes, 1932-1943
- Folder 27: Women's Missionary Society, 1917-1956
- Folder 28: Yearly reports, 1885, 1905, 1917-1918
- Folder 29: Youth publication, 1959
- Sub-Series B: 1853-1899 (Chronological)
- Box 3
- Folder 30: Sunday School, 1853
- Folder 31: Sunday School, 1853
- Folder 32: promissory notes and trust deed, 1867
- Folder 33: church building and donations, 1868
- Folder 34: church building, contracts and agreements, Savings Bank, 1869
- Folder 35: notes and agreements, insurance, Savings Bank, collection book, 1870
- Folder 36: insurance, notes and agreement, 1871
- Folder 37: Savings Bank, notes, correspondence, 1872
- Folder 38: insurance, bills paid, 1873
- Folder 39: insurance, council meetings constitution, 1874
- Folder 40: insurance, Savings Bank, Sunday School, 1875
- Folder 41: dues, Sunday School report, 1876-1877
- Folder 42: Poor Fund, mission school, 1878
- Folder 43: inventory of church property, list of eligible voters, 1881
- Folder 44: auction, Relief Fund, Treasurer s report, 1882
- Folder 45: membership list, subscription insurance3, 1885
- Folder 46: dues, congregational meetings, 1886
- Folder 47: Savings Bank, 1889
- Folder 48: membership list, dues, 1890
- Folder 49: contributions, 1891
- Folder 50: mortgages, loans, special meetings, Cemetery Association, 1893
- Folder 51: Savings Bank, Trustees' reports, 1894
- Folder 52: Treasurer's reports, 1895
- Folder 53: contributions to special fund Savings Bank, 1896
- Folder 54: Savings Bank reports and depositors, council report, dues, Treasurer s reports, Finance Committee, 1897
- Folder 55: legal agreements, correspondence dues, Cemetery Association, 1898
- Folder 56: dues, special funds, Savings Bank, 1899
- Folder 57: Fiftieth Anniversary Scrapbook, 1904
- Folder 58: Fiftieth Anniversary Album, 1904
- Folder 59: Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Album, 1929
- Folder 60: Centennial Album, 1954
- Folder 61: Anniversary Book, 1964
- Folder 62: Anniversary Book, 1969
- Box 4
- Folder 1-6: Guest books, 1950-1972
- Folder 7-17: Anniversary books from other congregations
- Folder 18: Josephine Noling; Diary, 1886-1904
- Folder 19: Noling family church activities, 1889-1930
- Folder 20: Noling Diary, 1916-1930
- Folder 21-22: Noling family albums (2), no date
- Folder 23: Josephine Noling memo book, 1873-1877
- Folder 24: Noling memo book, 1900-1931
- Folder 25: Sunday School books (2), 1879
- Folder 26: Mary Peterson, album, 1883-1892
- Folder 27: Mrs. E. Johnson; diary, 1880-1890
- Folder 28: Almanac memo books (3), 1843, 1849-1850
- Folder 29: Teacher lists, 1905
- Folder 30: Teacher salaries, 1906
- Volume 1: Scrapbook
- Box 5
- Folder 1: Noling family, 4 prints, no date
- Folder 2: Poetry by Nohlander, 1862-1869
- Folder 3: Wagledning Och Croft by John James
- Folder 4: Noling family letters and poetry, 1871-1906
- Folder 5-12: Newspaper clippings, 1864-1894
- Box 6
- Folder 1-50: Newspaper clippings, 1895-1951, no date
- Folder 51-98: Approximately 500 black and white prints (most 8x10) from production of 1954 Centennial History; arranged by subject, alphabetically
- Folder 99: Photographs: Church interior (10), 1906-1954
- Folder 100: Photographs: Building construction (16), 1940's
- Folder 101: Photographs: Early members (8), no date
- Folder 102: Photographs: Servicemen (10), no date
- Folder 103: Photographs: Sunday School (10), 1954
- Folder 104: Photographs: Sunshine Committee (4), 1954
- Folder 105: Photographs: Organ (7), 1954
- Folder 106: Photographs: E.Power Biggs (2), 1954
- Folder 107: Photographs: Reverend Loreen family (5), 1954
- Folder 108: Photographs: Carl Alexis (6), 1954
- Folder 109: Photographs: Brotherhood Circle (17), 1950's
- Folder 110: Photographs: Mission Circles (7), 1950's
- Folder 111-112: Photographs: Church buildings (39), 1854-1883
- Folder 113: Photographs: Augustana Synod founders (1), 1860
- Folder 114: Photographs: 50th Anniversary (1), 1904
- Folder 115: Photographs: 110th Anniversary (18), 1964
- Folder 116: Photographs: ReverendHaff (1), no date
- Folder 117: Photographs: Pastors & families (8), no date
- Folder 118-121: Photographs: Biographical (30), no date
- Folder 122: Photographs: Augustana Synod Pastors (1), 1887
- Folder 123-126: Photographs: identified biographical (37), no date
- Folder 127-130: Photographs: identifies biographical ferrotypes (9), no date
- Folder 131: Sunday School cards
- Box 7
- Folder 1: Dr. G. Peters and friends (1), no date
- Folder 2: Ladies Society (1), 1885
- Folder 3: Augustana Synod Pastors (1), 1869
- Folder 4: Pastor's family, friends (1), 1885
- Folder 5: Confirmation (1), 1893
- Folder 6: Confirmation (15), 1879-1964
- Folder 7: Organ (1), 1901
- Folder 8: Carl Swenson sketches (6);Women's Missionary Society (1); Choir (1); Confirmation (1), 1953-1954, no date, 1870's, 1954
- Box 8
- Volume 1: Photo album, Mr. Elmer Latt (1 volume), no date
- Volume 2: Photo album, unidentified (1 volume), no date
- Box 9
- Folder 1: Photo album, unidentified prints, 1864-1865
- Folder 2: Printing block, no date
Browse by Series:
[Series I: Historical Files],
[
Series II: Administrative Material],
[
Series III: Financial Records],
[
Series IV: Church Organizations],
[
Series V: First Lutheran],
[
Series VI: Membership and Pastorial Records],
[
Addendum I: June 1985],
[
Addendum II: July 1998],
[
Addendum III: April 2005],
[
All]