A notable remark was made at the time the ELS purchased Bethany Lutheran College: “Once we have discovered that the school is a necessity, we will discover we can afford it. We can do a lot of things that we think are absolutely necessary once they have become a matter of life or death to…

In 1927, the ELS voted to take over the ownership and operation of Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota. The school was established in 1911 as Bethany Ladies’ College and became available for purchase the previous year. An association was formed first to acquire the college. The price was $90,000, and carried with it an…

Following 1918, the reorganized synod was small. Yet this did not dampen the spirit of its members. It was said, “A small body such as our synod still enjoys certain privileges and advantages … We are, as it were, one family and still of the first generation; and though it is readily granted that large…

The following announcement appeared in the April­ 1, 1918, issue of the church paper Luthersk Tidende: “Pastors and members of congregations who desire to continue in the old doctrine and practice of the Norwegian Synod will, God willing, hold their annual meeting in the Lime Creek congregation, Pastor H. Ingebritson’s charge, June 14 and following…

Immediately after its reorganization in 1918, the ELS found its fellowship with the congregations and synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference. The former Norwegian Synod had helped to organize the conference in 1872. The ELS continued in the Synodical Conference until 1963 when it withdrew because of doctrinal concerns. The conference was dissolved four…