On the ninth Sunday after Trinity 1887, in the afternoon, Rev. N. G. Peterson gave his first sermon in the little schoolhouse then located one block east of the present Public School's location.   There were at that time just a few families living in Jewell and close vicinity of Norwegian descent, who were interested in starting a church here.   There were John Stueland, T. I Thompson, Halvor E. Westre, Peter O. Sexe, C. P. Solberg, Jorgen Oppedahl, Swain Thompson, Edward Olson and B. L. Belleson.

     The fist business meeting of the congregation was held at the home of John Stueland, August 16, 1887, when a constitution was drafted and accepted and the name of the congregation chosen to be Jewell Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation.   An adjourned meeting was held on August 31, 1887 when officers were chosen as follows:  Decons; H. E. Westre and Edward Olson   Turstees: T. I Thompson, Sam Thompson, C. P. Solberg   Secretary; John Tueland.

     During the period from 1887 until 1890 the congregation met in the school house and had no church building, but at a meeting held January 29, 1890, it was decided to build a church on its present location, $1208.00 having been raised as a building fund.   The building committee were S. H. Hagen, Henry Sexe, A. Sexe, T. I Thompson, Elias Olson and John Stueland.   Bulding was begun in the spring of 1890 and the church was finished in 1891.

     On the fifth Sunday after Easter, 1891, the new church building was dedicated by Rev. Chris O. Brohaug with the assistance of Rev. M. G. Hanson, Rev. O. Berg, Rev. C. C. Holter, Rev. H. N. Ronning, Rev. I. Be. A. Dale, Rev. L. Harrisville and the local pastor, N. G. Peterson.   On this day the congregation was free from debt with $63 in the treasury.

     On November 29, 1894, Rev. N. G. Peterson resigned as pastor of the congregation.   He was succeeded by Rev. C. J. Eastvold, who began his work here in the fall of 1895 and served the congregation till February 1913, when he resigned to accept a pastorate at Dawson, Minnesota.   The congregation then called Rev. Martin Norstad of Minneapolis, who accepted and served as its pastor till March 1920, when he resigned to accept a pastorate at Red Wing, Minnesota.   He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. J. M. Wick, who began his work in the congregation in September 1920.

     Twice during this time ws the church building been enlarged.   A wing wa built to the north side in 1899 and an extension on the west end in 1906.   During these thirty five years of its existence the congegation who changed its name to Bethesda Norwegian Danish evangelical Lutheran Congregation in 1890 has made steady progress under the leadership of the four very able pastors and today is a large and flourishing congregation.

     The following have served as Deacons of hte church during these thirty-five years:  H. E. Westre,  Edw. Olson, John Stueland, S. Stenerson, O. Westre, H. Ostrem, Nels Reierson, Richard Nelson, L. Flokketwedt, Thore Johnson, E. E. Rorem, I. S. Knudson, O. J. Jorstad, H. Hildal, Prof. N. J. Lohre, Knud Knudson, Prof. K. O. Eittreim, Severt Halvorson, Rasmus Olson, and Lars Alvestad.

     The following as trustees:  T. I. Thompson, Sam Thompson, C. P. Solberg, P. O. Sexe, H. O. Sexe, Elias Olson, S. H. Hagen, H. Ferbitz, Chris Miller, H. J. Maland, J. J. Herem, G. Thorson, J. B. Thompson, O. O. Stageberg, John Stueland, H. E. Westre, Knud Knudson, K. P. Espe, H. O. Hanson, R. Matson, Ole Hanson, John L. Larson, B. C. Dalva, Amos Ericson, Andrew Engelby, and Lars Stangeland.

     The following as Secretary:  John Stueland, John Brown, B. L. Belleson, O. Ostrem, H. Ostrem, E. E. Rorem, L. L. Jacobson, O. O. Stageberg, Gilbert Dnudson, J. B. Thompson and Magnus Johnson.

     The following as Treasurer: John Stueland, Henry Ostrem, H. Ferbitz, Olaf Olson, R. Nelson, A. H. Danielson and E. W. Knudson.

     The following as Sunday School Superintendent: L. O. Tynning, B. L. Belleson, O. Ostrem, Lewis Mayland and Magnus Johnson.

     As Organist: Miss Amelia Olson, Miss Amelia Thompson, Miss Tena Knudson (Mrs. O. F. Johnson), Miss Belle Ostrem (Mrs. William Hedin), Mrs. N. J. Lohre, Miss Emma Knudson and Miss Clarice Knudson.

Bethesda Lutheran Executive Board
Rev. J. M. Wick, Chairman
Rasmus Olson, Vice-Chairman
Magnus Johsnon, Secretary
Edw. Knudson, Treasurer

Board of Deacons
Rev. J. M. Wick
Richard Nelson
Lars Alvestad
Sever Halvorson
Rasmus Olson

Board of Trustees
John L. Larson
B. C. Dalva
Lars Stangeland

Sunday School
Magnus Johnson, Superintendent
Clarice Knudson, Secretary and Treasurer
Marie Dale, Music Director

     All services in the English language every other Sunday at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon.   Forenoon services every sixth Sunday.   Sunday school one hour before the services.

     The following is a short history of Zion Lutheran Congregation.

     The Zion Lutheran Congregation was organized December 13, 1897, at Garden Center school house, Hamilton township, Hamilton County, Iowa, from two former congregations beloning to the United Lutheran and Gauges Synod.

     This congregation was organized as an independent organization.   Rev. E. J. Eastvold was called as its first pastor and C. J. Monson as secretary.   This congregation stood as an independent organization until 1910 or 1911 when it joined the Hauges Synod.

     During the fall of 1912 Rev. C. J. Eastvold resigned as pastor and this congregation in connection with the Jewell congregation called Rev. Martin Norstad as his successor.   Rev. Norstad was installed as its pastor during the spring of 1913.

     The congregation, at its meeting December 29, 1915, voted to instruct its delegates to the Hauges Synod convention to vote for union between the three church bodies, which was then under consideration.   During the fall of 1919 Rev. Norstad resigned as pastor of the Jewell and Zion charges.   Rev. J. M Wick was called and installed during the fall of 1920.   The services since Rev. Wick has been its pastor have been conducted in the English language.

     This congregation held its services as Hamilton Center and Garden Center school houses until the year 1906 when a new church was built.