Early settlers met in various homes to worship as early as 1887 when some of the first Lutheran families came to the area. By January 27, 1895, 12 men gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Prestbye where they formed Den Norske Evangeliske Luterske Menighed av Flathead. The following were charter members: Christian Prestbye, H O Christensen, Mens Nordtome, Andrew Pederson, Ole Grinde, Rasmus Wollan, Arndt Nortome, Robert Nordome, Andrew Sneen, Eric Sortome, Lars Johnson, and John Foss.
Rev. J J Strand was sent as a missionary to help the new organization and soon became the first pastor. As Kalispell grew the church added members, among whom were: Martin Prestbye, Mrs Sophie Johnson, A O Wolstad, Chr. Clause, H M Gilbertsson, Beverys, Lefsruds, W O Miller, Mohns, L Horntvedt, Rosgards, Olsruds, Thornwald Odegard, E G Bjornebys, P Webergs, N A Johnsons, Torgersons, Olsons, Jens Jensen, Rosts, Tella Haugen, H B Henricksen, Haugsness, Olive Sanden, Bessie Hallen, Edel Aarum, Mari Maugenana, Marie Hornvedt.
Grant Prestbye was the first child baptized. The first confirmation class consisted of Gusta Pederson, Elida Wolstad, and Robert Sandvik. The church building project began in 1896 and was completed in 1898.
The Eidsvold congregation in Somers was organized in 1903 and the Bethany congregation at Swan River in 1906. Stillwater congregation organized in 1910. The Norse language was used for a number of years. In 1911 the women of the congregation were voted equal suffrage with the men in the affairs of the church.
Other early pastors were Re. A M Skindlov, 1905-1909; Rev L O Onerheim, 1909-1914; Rev M O Wee, 1914-1917; Rev P C Danielson, 1917-1920. The name of the church was changed to Bethlehem Lutheran in 1918. A new church building was begun in 1932 and completed and dedicated in 1937 at the present location on Main St. From: Bethlehem Luthern Church, Golden Anniversary Jubilee pamphlet.
Rev. J J Strand was sent as a missionary to help the new organization and soon became the first pastor. As Kalispell grew the church added members, among whom were: Martin Prestbye, Mrs Sophie Johnson, A O Wolstad, Chr. Clause, H M Gilbertsson, Beverys, Lefsruds, W O Miller, Mohns, L Horntvedt, Rosgards, Olsruds, Thornwald Odegard, E G Bjornebys, P Webergs, N A Johnsons, Torgersons, Olsons, Jens Jensen, Rosts, Tella Haugen, H B Henricksen, Haugsness, Olive Sanden, Bessie Hallen, Edel Aarum, Mari Maugenana, Marie Hornvedt.
Grant Prestbye was the first child baptized. The first confirmation class consisted of Gusta Pederson, Elida Wolstad, and Robert Sandvik. The church building project began in 1896 and was completed in 1898.
The Eidsvold congregation in Somers was organized in 1903 and the Bethany congregation at Swan River in 1906. Stillwater congregation organized in 1910. The Norse language was used for a number of years. In 1911 the women of the congregation were voted equal suffrage with the men in the affairs of the church.
Other early pastors were Re. A M Skindlov, 1905-1909; Rev L O Onerheim, 1909-1914; Rev M O Wee, 1914-1917; Rev P C Danielson, 1917-1920. The name of the church was changed to Bethlehem Lutheran in 1918. A new church building was begun in 1932 and completed and dedicated in 1937 at the present location on Main St. From: Bethlehem Luthern Church, Golden Anniversary Jubilee pamphlet.
The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, built in 1896, is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C, Architecture. The wood frame, Gothic Revival-style church is one of only a few churches from the pre-World War II era that still exist in Kalispell. The parsonage to the north and the associated carriage house are contributing buildings. Significant architectural features include the central tower with front entrance, the six-pointed star (symbolizing the six days of creation) in a recessed circle over the entrance, and the lancet windows. The church has served the congregations of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints during the historic period. Since 1960 it has been owned by the First Bible Presbyterian Church. The Lutheran faith had an early start in the Flathead Valley because some of the early settlers, arriving from Butte and eastern cities in 1887, were devout Norwegian-American Lutherans. The. first congregation was organized in 1895 by 12 men. A missionary and then a pastor were sent to serve the Flathead congregation in that year. Kalispell residents soon joined the congregation. During the winter of 1895-96 members of the congregation began construction of their church on the "outskirts of town." The men first built a barn to house the horses while they built the new church. In the spring of 1896 the construction of the Swedish Lutheran Church, as it was first called, began in earnest. E. Burrum was the architect, Mens Nordtome was in charge of construction, and Louis Larson was in charge of the masonry. Mr. Foss built the pews, N. A. Johnson the first hymnboard, and A. O. Wolstad painted the church. Much of the labor was donated, and the property was insured for $1,500. The parsonage was built on the lot to the north of the church in 1905. Soon, members began talking about the possibility of buying lots and building in a more centralized location. In 1911, the Lutheran community north of Kalispell formed a new congregation and built the Stillwater Lutheran Church. This church shared one-third of the pastor's services, paid one-third of the pastor's salary, and retained one-third interest in the parsonage and barn in Kalispell. The original church in Kalispell was enlarged in 1914, but the congregation continued to require more space due to increasing membership. During World War I, Somers families formed their own congregation. In 1918, the name of the congregation was changed from Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran to Bethlehem Lutheran, and some services were conducted in English beginning in 1919. As the church membership grew, the church was added on to and a basement was added. In January of 1923 the congregation established a building fund, and lots on Main Street were purchased in 1924 for $1,100. In 1932, the Bethlehem Lutheran congregation decided "by a strong rising vote" to build a new church. In 1932, the basement of the new Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 603 Main Street was finished and the walls of the main structure were erected. The congregation met in the basement of the new church until it was completed. The next year, despite the national depression, the congregation purchased the lots south of the new church for the proposed parsonage. The new Bethlehem Lutheran Church was dedicated in 1937. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints purchased the original Lutheran church in 1936, and it was dedicated by Joseph Quinney, Jr., president of the Northwestern states mission of the church. The Kalispell branch of the church had been organized as a Sunday School in a private residence in 1935, and by December of that year the local branch was formally organized, with approximately 80 members. S