rOCK cREEK lUTHERAN cHURCH

The first settlers of the Rock Creek area came under the leadership of the Rev. C. L. Clausen from Wisconsin in 1853 and founded what has since become known as Meroa on the banks of Rock Creek. On January 27, 1863, a resolution was passed declaring members of Rock Creek Lutheran Church independent of the St. Ansgar parish. The Rock Creek Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1863 in a pioneer home just south of the present church site.
They began construction of the present church in 1870. The house of worship with its 98 foot steeple was dedicated in December 1875. In 1891, the first choir was organized. In 1910, colored windows were installed at the cost of $700. From 1911-1913 a major renovation of the church building was undertaken. The entire church structure was raised, a new foundation put in and a Nine foot high basement built underneath. It was at this time that the bedrock on which the church building and parsonage rest was discovered. In 1912 English was introduced into the services. By 1918 the minutes of the annual meeting were no longer written in Norwegian. Dedication for the parsonage was held March 7, 1948. In 1952 a new two-manuel Wicks pipe organ was purchased and the congregation acquired seven acres of land across from the church where a church park was developed. The park provided a perfect place for open air worship services, along with picnics and recreation. On Easter Sunday, 1954 ground was broken for the parish addition, and other renovations in the chancel, kitchen, the altar, carpet and pews.

Rock Creek celebrated it’s 150th anniversary in 2013. We have seen many Pastors and interim pastors during this time of growth. Our pastors now are David and Elayne Werges who serve the Cross Roads Lutheran Parish which Rock Creek is one of the four churches.

The real history of a congregation is written by the lives of its people. God's work is with people and for people. We do not celebrate the church building for there was no building in 1863. We do not celebrate the first baptism or even the first church service. What we do celebrate is the organizing of a congregation–IN HIS NAME.