Around Swedish America in 548 Days - Day 73

Day 73 - Soderville

In 1872, the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ham Lake in Anoka County was organized (the name was later changed to Our Saviour Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ham Lake). It is on County Road 22, less than one-half mile cast of State Highway 65 at 2200 Swedish Drive NE. Although the present congregation worships in a sanctuary completed in 1964, located at 1562 Viking Boulevard NE in East Bethel (612/434-6117), the old white frame church dating from 1872 still stands, and services continue to be held there on Monday evenings, June through Labor Day. A unique feature of this church listed on the National Register of Historic Places is the central pulpit above the altar. On the alter is a portrait of Christ with the crown of thorns and the inscription, “Se Guds Lamm”(“Behold the Lamb of God”).