Selbu Church celebrates milestone for renewal

Church members Stacey Aune, left, and Peggy Bryan read letters of support and congratulations during the service. Pastor John Cross is seated next to them.

The small congregation of Selbu Lutheran Church, nestled in a grove of evergreen trees south of LaCrosse, celebrated a milestone Sunday.

The church raised nearly $150,000 to repair and maintain the church building. Donations came from the 40 members and from former members located all over the United States.

The roof was rebuilt last summer and chair lifts were installed on each staircase inside. There is still a long list of repairs and maintenance on the church that the funds will be used for.

The bell tower needs repair and the kitchen could use some updating according to a list the church board has prepared.

Pastor John Cross, who came to the church in the spring of 2012, led the members on the journey to raise the funds. During the Sunday service, he said many members had doubts about raising much more than the roof repair costs.

The church was founded in 1903 and usually has an average attendance of 40, with about 125 at Easter and 154 on Christmas Eve, according to Pastor Cross. About 40 people attended the Sunday celebration.

Several letters of support and thanksgiving were read during Sunday’s service.

“I feel so blessed that our church is welcoming to everyone, no matter who you are or what your struggles are. Selbu is a place for everyone,” wrote long-time Selbu members Pete and Peggy Bryan.

Ann Emerson, a life-long Selbu member wrote, “Selbu Lutheran Church is my home church - always has been and always will be. I’ve been blessed over the years to have had this church.”

“I am blessed to have such an amazing group of men in our little church to look up to. I look up to them as great fathers, husbands and strong Christian men. I pray that I can be that rock in my little family,” wrote Justin Siebert.

Life-long members Gene and Lola Aune said Selbu has a special place in their hearts.

“The memories of my childhood at Selbu are vivid - from the pastors that I have known over the past 75 years of my life to the founders of this unique and blessed congregation.”

“The people who immigrated to the United States and settled here were so brave. I’ll forever be grateful for their vision when they built the first church here in the country - with their final resting place on the hill over-looking the church amid the surrounding, beautiful fields of wheat,” Lola Aune wrote.

Di Brink also submitted a letter.

“When I first walked into this church my heart told me I was home,” Brink wrote. “Selbu is where I will stay until the Lord calls me home.”

Several friends of Pastor John’s who live all over the country also sent letters supporting the small church.

After the service, a luncheon was served by the women of the church. Lefse, a traditional Norwegian treat made by Judy Aune, was served as part of the meal.