Grace Free Lutheran Church Valley City, ND
Origins of Free Lutheranism
The origins of the Free Lutheran church in Valley City can be traced back as far as 1897. During the Lutheran mergers of the early 1960's, the Lutheran Free Church became part of a larger church body and ceased to exist. A remnant of the LFC chose to remain "Free Lutheran" and eventually became the AFLC.
Origins of Grace Free
Grace Free Lutheran was organized in 1963 with Reverend Fritjof Monseth as the pastor and joined the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (AFLC). The AFLC bears witness that the Bible is the only inerrant and completely adequate source and norm of Christian doctrine and life.
The congregation met at various locations in Valley City, eventually purchasing the former Epworth United Methodist Church building in 1965. An addition of offices and classrooms was added to that building in 1988.
Grace Free Today
In 2009, the congregation began construction on its new building located at 351 West Main Street in Valley City. “This was an exciting time for our congregation,” said Eldwyn Van Bruggen, one of the charter members of Grace Free. “We were able to use much of the former Empire Furniture building which allowed us to have an abundance of space for classrooms, kitchen, and fellowship area. The sanctuary on the north end of the building is all new construction. We are grateful to Gary Sorensen and Sorensen Construction and the many volunteers for its completion.”
The building was completed in fall of 2010 and the first service was held on September 26. Grace Free Lutheran has been faithfully served by Pastors Fritjof Monseth, Harry Molstre, Robert Lee, Curtis Emerson, Terry Olson, Joel Rolf, Steve Mundfrom, Kevin Borg; and Dennis Norby is the current pastor.
The Lord has blessed the ministry of the congregation through the years and it presently has a membership of over 120 families. It is our desire to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We invite you to come and grow with us!