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One 60 minute audio cassette.

Also interviews Eshter Hasti (1896-?) and Mamie Keskey (1904-?).

Relations between the different ethnic groups (Finn, Swede, Norweigan) and the continuation of ethnic customs from the old country to the new are discussed. Also describes the economic activities and family dynamics at the time.

Discusses significant events for the church like the use of English over Swedish in services and a fire in the original church. Church groups, pastor selection, and the motivations behind migration to the area. Only summary of interview is available.

One 60 minute audio cassette.

One 60 minute audio cassette.

Also interviews William Gustafson (1882-1985), Daisy Davis Gustafson (Mrs. William) (1881-1980), Esther Anderson Johnson (1902-1990), and Lee Schuman (pastor) (1901-?)

The history of the community and the church are discussed as well as personal experiences with the Kost school. Financial difficulties and fund raising are explained. Elements of Swedish culture that survived are also detailed. Only summary of interview is available.

Two 60 minute audio cassettes.

Also interviewed Clark D. Howe (1917-1988), Kenneth Price (1912-?), and Isabelle Reem Welton (1901-?).

Accomplishments of the church are discussed including expansion of the church over the years, maintaining a debt-free congregation, and the possibility of closing in the 1950s. The significance of the church to the community and the hope that the church continues on is also expressed. Time is spent on the various fixtures in the church (bell, organ) and the occupational diversity of the congregation.

Also interviewed James W. Clark (1893-?) who taught at St. Cloud State University from 1922 to 1924. Clark was a published historian, textbook author and state government employee with the Department of Economic Development. Ausmus owned the property where the original church stood and discovered the remains of the original mission on his land in 1951.

The interview covers the mission's history from its founding in 1836 as an attempt to convert and bring Western education to the Ojibway to the mission's end in the 1840s following an attack by the Sioux. The mission history includes details about how they were supplied and functioned as well as listing their significant accomplishments. The location of Pine City between Sioux and Ojibway territory give them opportunity to discuss local Indian history as well. They discuss at length the history of both the city and county. Topics include the economic development of the area from lumbering to railroads, settlement patterns and varying ethnicities of immigrants, and the impact of the Hinckley Fire on Pine City. They also describe how church attendance and finances have changed and been maintained over time and their uniqueness for having a woman as a pastor as of 1973. Only summary of interview is available. There is no audio for this interview.

One reel-to-reel tape.

This interview details the background and experiences of Beck including his World War II maritime service and his participation in civil rights causes as a member of CORE and on freedom marches. His evaluation of the state of the faith, philosophy, and predicitions are given. The expansion of the church, prior pastors, and the loss of membership to the denomination at large over social justice issues is discussed. Only summary of interview is available.

Two 60 minute audio cassettes.

Personally, Blilie's late participation in education and its impact on his life is discussed. Also his ministerial jobs in South Dakota and Minnesota are detailed along with experiences with foster parenting. Regarding the church, the differences between the various Lutheran groups are described and how they all have influenced local congregations. The impact of Americanization of services and ethnic influences in the congregation are described. Concerns over the changing demographics in the congregation are also discussed particularly the issue of gaining younger members.

This interview primarily discusses the challenges and difficulties for a woman to become a pastor. Many of the administrative and philosophical hurdles she has faced are described. As Brander had only been in her position for a month at the time of the interview there is no significant details about the church history or congregation. Her reception is detailed as well as the enthusiasm for her counseling background. There is no audio for this interview.

Using personal memories, family stories, and documents Carlson is able to account for the entire church history from its creation. She discusses the different styles of various ministers and their local impact, the split in the church in 1922, and the efforts of many church groups through the 1900s. She also discusses the importance of gaining new and younger members. Audio is with Philip Blilie interview.

Two 60 minute audio cassettes.

One reel-to-reel tape. Includes Cy Tenvoorde interview from General Oral Histories.

This history details the personal background, conversion, and work experiences of Pastor Carrol.  He describes the history of the Swedish Baptist Church on the large scale and the development and construction of the St. Cloud church he ministered.  Detail is given to the accomplishments of the church in the local community including support for missionary work in the US and abroad.

Positive interaction between different faiths and ethnicities in the area is discussed. The arrangement of sharing a minister with a church of a different denomination is explained as well as the benefits that come from it. Audio tapes include interviews by Long and Snader.

These oral histories were performed in 38 different community churches in central Minnesota during the late 1970s.  Most of the churches are in or around the St. Cloud area or Brainerd between Interstates 94 and 35.  Ordinarily, the interviews include the church pastor and several elderly members with long family ties to the church.  All the interviews begin with the basic biographical data of the participants including birth dates, the reason their family immigrated to the area and where they came from, length of association with the church, and ethnicity.

The ethnic backgrounds of the congregations and communities are discussed in many of the oral histories.  Attention is given to the ethnic foundations of each church. Americanization of the congregation appears to be significant in many of the histories.  Frequent mention is made of the efforts and influence of church groups, particularly women’s groups, and the concern over an aging congregation without new members joining.  Several interesting anecdotes appear as part of the personal histories, church history, or discussion of the community. The issue of language is particularly noteworthy as almost all the interviews discuss the switch to English from original immigrant languages for Protestant services or from Latin to English for Catholic mass.

Many histories describe the past and present efforts to maintain the church.  Early construction, maintaining church membership (particularly youth), splits and conflicts between churches and denominations over doctrine, and how the changes of the 20th century impacted their community and church.  Notable accomplishments of the churches are also described including community involvement, ministry and counseling, missionary work both locally and internationally, and continual improvement of facilities.  Church association with education is a common topic either as established church or parochial schools, Sunday schools, or as temporary efforts in the early parts of the 20th century.

Transcripts of the interviews are available unless otherwise noted below.  The audio tapes for some of these oral histories are presently unavailable.  Those histories are mentioned in the individual finding aids below.  Most of these histories do have full transcripts available, however.  Some folders include photographs of the church, interiors, grounds, and occasionally interview participants.

A question mark (?) for date of death does not necessarily indicate the participant is deceased.