History Timeline

Baltic Lutheran and East Nidaros Lutheran Churches - History briefs

August 12, 1868 – a group of 50 Norwegian pioneers organized the Nidaros Church in a sod house 4½ miles south of present-day Baltic in Dakota Territory. The name “Nidaros” was chosen as all the charter members came from the area of Trondheim, Norway originally called Nidaros.  All services and business were conducted in the Norwegian language.  Rev. Emil Christensen from Vermillion and Yankton served as pastor along with Rev. Eilef Olsen from Canton.  The services with ordained pastors occurred infrequently the first 5 years.

October 1873 – Rev. O. O. Sando was installed as the first resident pastor – he served Nidaros for 30 years.

1878 – The Nidaros Church built the first church building 3 miles south of Baltic.   It was partially completed by March 1878 so that three Sunday services and three weddings were held before a windstorm demolished the sanctuary on April 9, 1878.   It was rebuilt that same year from the wrecked timbers.

1881 – the railroad came from Sioux Falls to Dell Rapids – a flour mill was established on the Big Sioux River, which began the city of Baltic (originally called “St. Olaf”).

August 26, 1883 – The Nidaros Church dedicated the new cemetery for members on the east side of the Big Sioux River – now known as East Nidaros Lutheran Cemetery.

1886 – The Nidaros Church was completed with a new altar/pulpit, altar railing, balcony, and a bell tower and steeple.  The church was dedicated in October that same year.

November 2, 1889 – Dakota Territory was divided into 2 states – North and South Dakota.

March 16, 1890 – The St. Olaf Lutheran Church was organized in Baltic.  It belonged to the newly formed synod, the United Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, whereas Nidaros belonged to the Norwegian Synod.  St. Olaf was the patron saint of Norway and is buried in the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.   

1903 –The St. Olaf Lutheran Church built a new church in Baltic (currently the Baltic Lutheran Church).  (The St. Olaf Cemetery on the NE corner of Baltic was also dedicated this year.)

1903 - Rev. Sando resigned because of failing health and later died that same year on Christmas Eve at the age of 54.  He was buried in the East Nidaros Cemetery.

1904 – Rev. N. N. Boe was installed as the second resident pastor of Nidaros.  A new parsonage was built in Baltic for Rev. Boe and his family.

1911 – East Nidaros and West Nidaros Churches were both built the same year (debt-free) and both were dedicated in June 1912.

1912 – The Old Nidaros Church was moved the 3 miles into Baltic with horses and placed on a new foundation across the street from the parsonage.

1918 – The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the United Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Synod merged to form the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC) – after World War II, the “Norwegian” was dropped and it became the ELC until 1958.

1918 – Rev. Boe resigned to become the first president of the SD NELC Synod.

1932 – Since their 2 synods had merged into one in 1918, St. Olaf and Nidaros also merged.  It was decided to use the St. Olaf sanctuary which became known as the Baltic Nidaros Church.

1939 – Old Nidaros Church was again moved, this time to Renner – with its 2nd move, it was nick- named “the traveling church.”  Still used today as Renner Lutheran Church – the oldest church still in use in South Dakota.

1957 – 1958 – Renner Lutheran withdrew from Nidaros to help begin a new church in northern Sioux Falls – Messiah Lutheran Church.  Baltic Lutheran Church and East Nidaros Lutheran Church both withdrew in 1958 to form the Baltic Lutheran Parish, to be both served by the same pastor.  From the beginning until 1957, the four Nidaros Churches were served by only one pastor!