THE BEGINNINGS OF LAPPE LUTHERAN CHURCH
It was at a meeting on Feb. 23, 1918 that the first plans for building a church were discussed in Lappe, a small community northwest of Port Arthur (Thunder Bay).
The early Finnish settlers were already holding devotional meetings at various homes. Each month, families took turns hitching up the horse and buggy (or sleigh) and bringing in a pastor from the city. He would arrive on Saturday, have dinner and a sauna with that family and on Sunday morning, area residents would gather there for the sermon and Bible study.
The first officially recorded meeting was held on April 9, 1917. Each time, a small “coffee table collection” was held and by the end of the first year the total amount was $64.50. Out of that, $38.60 was given to the Port Arthur Church for the pastor’s wage, and $3.85 was donated to Japanese missions.
By June 1921, the church building was completed and the first summer festival took place there. The community at that time was totally Finnish and all the services were held in their native language.
As the monetary needs of the church increased, small membership fees, dinners and raffles became popular. Auction sale evenings were also held with many handcrafted items for sale. These were usually made by the women and often bid for by their husbands.
Throughout the following decades many changes took place. A new wing was added to the church building and it became a temporary parsonage. 1976 saw the congregation with the first full-time pastor, Rev. W. Lawrence Maunula, who earlier already had introduced English worship services.
The construction of the new entrance into the church and the large free-standing cross immensely changed the outside appearance. Another special event was the installation of a small pipe organ as music and singing had always been an important part at Lappe Church. The octagonal window on the front wall of the church, placed there during the original construction, circa 1920, became the oldest remaining object in the building. And, as the congregation continued to grow, several group functions such as the choir, youth groups, a Ladies Circle, Sunday school, Bible study, etc., were also added.
Although weekly attendance has declined, the congregation begins this special anniversary year with sincere thankfulness for all the blessings Lappe Lutheran Church has received, and with hope for future re-growth.
Welcome and “Tervetuloa!”
A special Finnish/English service with Rev. Jorma Tuomisto and Rev. Neil Otke will begin the anniversary year celebrations on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, at 11:15 a.m., with lunch to follow. A dedication of an old Finnish Bible, donated by FELM, will also take place. Everyone is welcome.
Please check the website at lappelutheranchurch.weebly.com or send an email to [email protected] if you’d like more information.
- Researched and submitted by A. Huotari, Lappe Lutheran Church
The early Finnish settlers were already holding devotional meetings at various homes. Each month, families took turns hitching up the horse and buggy (or sleigh) and bringing in a pastor from the city. He would arrive on Saturday, have dinner and a sauna with that family and on Sunday morning, area residents would gather there for the sermon and Bible study.
The first officially recorded meeting was held on April 9, 1917. Each time, a small “coffee table collection” was held and by the end of the first year the total amount was $64.50. Out of that, $38.60 was given to the Port Arthur Church for the pastor’s wage, and $3.85 was donated to Japanese missions.
By June 1921, the church building was completed and the first summer festival took place there. The community at that time was totally Finnish and all the services were held in their native language.
As the monetary needs of the church increased, small membership fees, dinners and raffles became popular. Auction sale evenings were also held with many handcrafted items for sale. These were usually made by the women and often bid for by their husbands.
Throughout the following decades many changes took place. A new wing was added to the church building and it became a temporary parsonage. 1976 saw the congregation with the first full-time pastor, Rev. W. Lawrence Maunula, who earlier already had introduced English worship services.
The construction of the new entrance into the church and the large free-standing cross immensely changed the outside appearance. Another special event was the installation of a small pipe organ as music and singing had always been an important part at Lappe Church. The octagonal window on the front wall of the church, placed there during the original construction, circa 1920, became the oldest remaining object in the building. And, as the congregation continued to grow, several group functions such as the choir, youth groups, a Ladies Circle, Sunday school, Bible study, etc., were also added.
Although weekly attendance has declined, the congregation begins this special anniversary year with sincere thankfulness for all the blessings Lappe Lutheran Church has received, and with hope for future re-growth.
Welcome and “Tervetuloa!”
A special Finnish/English service with Rev. Jorma Tuomisto and Rev. Neil Otke will begin the anniversary year celebrations on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, at 11:15 a.m., with lunch to follow. A dedication of an old Finnish Bible, donated by FELM, will also take place. Everyone is welcome.
Please check the website at lappelutheranchurch.weebly.com or send an email to [email protected] if you’d like more information.
- Researched and submitted by A. Huotari, Lappe Lutheran Church