1918: Thompson will guide Hartington’s new unified church

HARTINGTON — Rev. Jersing Thompson has accepted the call to the pastorate of the unified Lutheran church of this city, hereafter to be known as Trinity Lutheran church.

The amalgamation of the two congregations heretofore worshiping in this church and the acceptance of the pastorate thereof by Rev. Thompson marks an important era in the history of one of the oldest church organizations in Cedar County.

Rev. Thompson will bear the distinction of being the first minister to serve the combined congregations after a period of 25 years.

For the past quarter of a century, the two congregations, under the leadership of two different pastors, have worshipped separately in the same building. These have now been united and all branches of the Norwegian Lutheran denomination will henceforth become part and parcel of the Trinity Lutheran Church, with Rev. Thompson as the pastoral leader.

At present, Rev. Thompson is stationed at Wakonda, S.D.

He will not be able to secure his release from his present appointment in time to take up his work permanently in this city until sometime in late September.

The English language will be used exclusively in the conduct of religious services in the Trinity Lutheran Church henceforth.