Experiences growing up in St. Cloud, especially during the Depression, are described as well as the homefront experience in St. Paul during World War II. Travel and education experiences are discussed follwed by the changes in the church that he witnessed. Only summary of interview is available.
Reverend Wied talks at length about doctrine differences, the challenges and differences between rural and urban churches, and pressures on the church overall. The administration of churches resulting from changing congregation sizes is discussed and the growth in community outreach. The value of producing radio broadcasts is also discussed.
Two 60 minute audio cassettes.
Also interviewed Herman Duscha (1891-1987) and Annie Duscha (1897-1988).
Vaudt discusses the history of the church, issues of doctrine and change, interdenominational cooperation, fund-raising, and parish ethnicity and growth. The Duschas talk about the region and community including schools, community changes, and economic development. Only summary of interview is available.
Two 60 minute audio cassettes.
Also interviewed Marie Sargeant Carlson (1890-?) and Grace Sargeant (1888-?) who were sisters.
In addition to church growth and outreach the interview covers the weekly radio show the church produced called "Key for Happiness." Community support, missionary efforts, and school relationships are also discussed. Only summary of interview is available. There is no audio for this interview.
Two 60 minute audio cassettes.
The historic interactions in the area among the Protestant faiths is discussed. The development of the church is described in detail as well as the administration and outreach of the different church groups. Only summary of interview is available.
This interview details the changes in Finlayson and the surrounding community. The challenges of having a small parish and a high pastor turnover. Audio recording is with the Robert Carroll tapes.
The growth of the community and church is discussed especially the change in language spoken. Mention is given to a tornado that destroyed the church in the 1920s. Audio is currently unavailable.
Also interviewed Richard Rooney Brooten (1935-?), Helen Rooney Felling (1904-1997), Math Jennissen (1902-?), Josephine Roooney (1906-1980), and Adolf Weiner (1910-?).
This interview discusses the significance of the Canadian Rooney family in settling the area and establishing the church. It also covers the many priests associated with the parish. The interactions between the various ethnicities of the area is discussed including frustrations when the various parishes were consolidated. The impact of a 1940s fire and the arrival of several orphans from New York is discussed. The positives of a rural parish and community are given as well. Audio is currently unavailable.
St. Cloud State student graduating in 1932 and 1941.
As church treasurer, the finances of the church is discussed. Events in the church history like a fire in 1925 and the absorption of other smaller congregations are covered as well as the ethnic and age changes to the parish.
One 60 minute audio cassette.
Church doctrine is discussed especially baptism and the autonomy of pastors. This is followed by the history of the church and demographics of the region.
Two 60 minute audio cassettes. Also includes Melin interview.
Also interviewed Arthur Miller (1900-1981).
Ostlund discusses the administration of an interdenominational parish. In addition to the church history, the history of central Minnesota is given including discussion of cheese production. Only summary of interview is available.
Two 60 minute audio cassettes.
Also interviewed Harold Linman Gillson (Mrs.) (1918-?) and Lucille Concull Nelson (1918-2000).
In addition to the history (including a fire in 1948 that destroyed most records) and the challenges of the church the balance between maintaining a separate church identity and cooperation with other congregations is discussed. The issues of doctrine, membership, and construction is discussed from the perspective of a rural church. Only summary of interview is available.
One 60 minute audio cassette.
Nelson gave a detailed description of his motivations and experiences as an immigrant to the United States. He also described his ministry education and service during World War II. The history of the South Isanti church is described in part.
Two reel-to-reel tapes.
In this interview the history of the church is discussed. The changes through the 1900s both to the church and community are detailed. Audio is part of Owens tape.
Discusses the challenges faced as a small church without a permanent priest. Describes the development of the church, its present condition, and its plans/prospects for the future. Only summary of interview is available.
One 60 minute audio cassette.
St. Cloud State student, graduating in 1931.
Extensive personal, church, and community background is given including the merging of multiple parishes in Little Falls and the growth of the parochial schools. His time at St. Cloud State is discussed as well as his children attending the school. His personal accomplishments as a published poet are also mentioned. Only summary of interview is available.
Two 60 minute audio cassettes.
Also interviewed Delanore O. Bodien (1907-?).
Development of the church and the growth of the Cambridge community is discussed. The changes in the church are covered as well as speculations over the popularity of cults and the place of a pastor in political and social causes. Only summary of interview is available. There is no audio for this interview.
This interview covers the founding of the church and its construction as well as the ethnic diversity of the congregation. According to the transcript, the audio recording with the Robert Carroll became inaudiable halfway in to the interview.
Also interviewed Fran Voelker (1931-2012) and Ludmilla Padmos Voelker (1930-). Fran Voelker was a St. Cloud State University professor in Mass Communications from 1959-1991, as was Ludmilla Voelker.
This interview covers the growth of the Newman Center and its role in the community. The relationship with the University is discussed and its effects on membership and outreach. The role of the church as leaders in social issues is discussed as well as many specific issues relevant to their members.
Two 60 minute audio cassettes.
Also interviewed Louise Gwosdz Lashinski (1898-1998) and Leo Victor Polasek (1909-2000).
Construction of the church and neighboring sister churches are discussed as well as the settlement of the surrounding land. Church groups, relationship with schools, and fund-raising efforts are described. Also, the ethnic changes in the community and within the church are covered. Only summary of interview is available. There is no audio for this interview.
Also interviewed Bernard Graning (1905-?) and Hazel Halvorson (Mrs. Bernie) (1903-?).
The relationship with neighboring churches through the years is discussed. Also, the influence of having multi-generational families as members and the impact of having members commute to the Twin Cities versus living and working nearby.
Two 60 minute audio cassettes.
This interview covers Reverend Monsignor Kroll's childhood and education as well as the community in and around St. Cloud in the early 1900s. Time is spent on Kroll's World War I experience as a chaplain with a field artillery regiment and on his activities in retirement.
One reel-to-reel tape.
Also interviewed Stella LeBlanc (1909-2009).
This interview discusses the French Canadian settlement of the area and the evolving relationship of the church to the community. The interviewees detail the church's connection to history including early missionary activity, Indian relations especially the Chippewa and their leader Hole in the Day, and their relationship with a now closed convent, Missionary Sisters of St. Francis. The significance of church history and an understanding of the past is discussed.
Two 60 minute audio cassettes.
Also interviewed Sam Droogsma (1907-?) and John Vedders (1899-1966).
This church is of Dutch descent and so the interview covers how the Dutch migrated to the area, either from Dakota, Iowa, or in the wake of the Hinckley Fire. The organization and development of the Christian Reformed Church as a whole is discussed. The development of the community and the church over the years is described including the school and church groups.
Two 60 minute audio cassettes.
Also interviewed Lenore Carlson (Mrs. Oscar) (1906-2000) and Loren Larson (1913-?).
This interview goes into great detail on how the parishioners ancestors immigrated to the area. Also, Pastor Johnson discusses doctrinal issues within the Baptist church and between other denominations. The church history dates back to before the Civil War and the interview covers the splits and mergers in the congregations, interaction with Catholic settlers, interactions with the Chippewa, the continuation of the Julotta service, changes in the community youth, and the change of language from Swedish to English.
Three 60 minute audio cassettes.
Also interviewed S. Marie Soderman (1910-1996) and her daughter, Bud Soderman Sedlachek (Mrs.) (?-?)
The parishioners discuss the growth and construction of the church but also describe the challenges their church faced with sharing a minister. The resulting closure of their church due to the lack of a minister and re-opening 13 years later is described. The impace of the resort business and their expanding congregation are also discussed. Audio is currently unavailable.
Two 60 minute audio cassettes.
Also included here separately is an interview of Belvina Koehler (1896-1983).
The impact of Vatican II is discussed as well as the possible changes in the future. The gradual construction of the church and the growth of the congregation is described as well as the increased group activity (youth, women's, and parish council). The significance of changes to the mass (music, language, etc) is described from the point of view of the pastor and a long-time parishioner.
Also interviewed Pauline Balder (1891-1987), Jerome Corrigan (Mrs.) (?-?), Ray Charles Corrigan (1896 or 1899-?), John Joseph Jackels (1898-?), and Francis Gertrude Kampa Jackels (1904-?).
Various locations and the construction of the church is given as well as several anecdotes about the school, church, and congregation. The large group of parishioners frequently reminisce about community activities, church events, past times, and conflicts. The many changes in the community and the Catholic church are discussed as well. Audio is currently unavailable.
Also interviewed Elsie England Fredeen (1909-1999), Gordon B. Fredeen (1904-1983), and Ruby Johnson (Mrs. Clifford) (1906-2002).
Discusses the improvement of the facilities over the previous 100 years including schoolhouses and the church itself. The ethnicities in the congregation and the activities of the church groups are detailed. Only summary of interview is available. There is no audio for this interview.
Also interviewed Margaret Bronnichi (1913-?) and Margaret Ellens (1916-1988).
As a former priest, Gaughn discusses the theological differences between Catholicism and Methodism and his reasons for switching. He also discusses administrative differences at the parish versus the religion level and differences between rural and urban churches. Gaughn also speculates on the state of religion in the U.S. The history of the church and region is covered including the Hinckley Fire and World War II as well as the influence of various church groups and counseling outreach programs. Only summary of interview is available.
Two 60 minute audio cassettes.
Also interviewed Oscar Krieg (1898-1903) and Victor Osterman (Rev.) (1903-?).
The economic and social life of early 1900s Sauk Rapids is described as well as the history of the church within that context. Conflicts with doctrine between various larger church groups are covered and the splits and mergers that came from them. Church activities and groups are covered and how they integrate into the community. Only summary of interview is available.