Wright-Cromwell News

Delores and Sulo Walli want to thank their family and friends who helped them celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. They appreciate so much the friendships, cards and gifts. It was truly a special day for them. I’d also like to thank them for all the church and community service they have provided over the past six decades, too. It’s folks like Sulo and Delores that make our community so great. If help is needed they and folks like them are there to help!

As most of you know, Bethlehem Lutheran in Wright will be celebrating their 100th anniversary this coming weekend, July 22. Former pastors, former members, and area folks are coming from all over to attend this special event. So, with this in mind, I’d like to give you a brief history of the beginnings of the church. It was with deep faith and trust in God’s guidance that a group of folks organized the congregation on Nov. 5, 1912, and met once a month in the Methodist church, now the Evangelical Free Church, under the Rev. E. J. Peterson of Augusta Synod whose constitution they adopted. For the first two years the services were held in the Methodist church at the cost of $1 for each meeting. The pastor’s salary for the first year was $25 and $50 the next year. He traveled from Aitkin, coming one day and going home the next after holding services, ladies’ aide meetings, confirmation classes and any baptisms. In 1914 they purchased three and a half acres of land from W. W. Pease at the cost of $350. The corner stone was laid on Oct. 19, 1915, and the first worship and dedication of the church was on July 23, 1917. The original cost of the structure was $12,500, with a debt of $500, which was paid off in a few years. Much of the labor was donated. Original membership was 19 families and the pulpit has never been empty.

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Wright, will hold a Rummage and Bake Sale during Wrong Days on Friday, July 20, from 3-6 p.m. and Saturday, July 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come early to get those delicious baked items.....We hope to see you there!

Vacation Bible School will take place at Bethlehem Lutheran in Wright on July 24-26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (bring your own lunch) and at Bethany in Cromwell July 30 to Aug. 2, starting at 9 a.m. each day. Call the church at 218-644-3640 to register your kids or to volunteer to help. Lots of helpers are needed even if you can only help for one day. Bible School at St. John’s will be announced later.

Lori Wester is the new Program of Academic Exchange (PAX) coordinator. She is looking for homes in our area for exchange students, so give her a call at 218-343-8802 or email her at mlwester@frontiernet.net for more information.

That’s all the news from Lake Ourbestdaysareatwrongdays and hello to all the folks coming back for the weekend festivities.

Tags: local columns, wright-cromwell news