Saint Paul Lutheran Church (Flaxton, North Dakota) Official Acts and Records

This congregation was organized on August 11, 1901. Rev. Tyler, who had explored the surrounding area for Lutherans, helped with the organization. In 1903, it was agreed with Saint John, Larson to build and maintain a parsonage at Portal, which later became Columbus. Services were held at Portal until 1906 when moved to Flaxton. In 1912, Saint Paul, Flaxton became a separate congregation. In 1913, a parsonage was purchased. In 1914 and 1915 the members of the Ohio Synod at Northgate joined Saint Paul, since it was impossible to obtain an Ohio Synod pastor. Church services were then held in the Norwegian and Presbyterian churches. The congregation took a loan from the Church Extension Fund to build their own building. The building was completed and dedicated in 1919. At about the same time, an organ was purchased, and the Sunday School and choir were organized. Mission Festivals were held at members' farms. In the late 1920s, a youth group was formed. Beginning in 1932, the church property underwent the greatest changes and improvements. The church building was re-stuccoed and changes were made to the front entrance. Rev. Timian, the pastor at that time, built the new altar and Sacristy. The wind blew down the chimney in 1933, so it was rebuilt. Lightning struck the building in 1934, so the interior was redecorated. The basement received a cement floor and other improvements. The parsonage was remodeled and redecorated also. The Ladies Aid also joined LWML during this time. The congregation became very poor due to 10 years of bad crops, so they turned to the Mission Board for help to support the pastor. Rev. Timian suffered a heart attack in 1940 and subsequently died in 1941. Rev. G. Hinz accepted the call, and he energized the congregation to attack the debt that was hanging over the congregation for 27 years. Due to good crops, the mortgage burning ceremony was able to take place. Portal joined Flaxton in 1947, after Rev. Hinz made a great effort for Flaxton to remain and not have to combine with Kenmare or Larson. The 50th anniversary was celebrated in 1951. In the 1950s, Sunday School rooms were built in the basement and the interior of the church was painted. Vacation Bible School was organized. In the late 1950s, a sidewalk was installed in front of the church building, the basement was insulated and redecorated, and the parsonage was painted. Saint Paul closed in November 2014.

• Rev. A.C. Stoldt 1902-1909
• Rev. J.A. Stein 1909-1912
• Rev. R. Messerli 1912-1921
• Rev. E.A. Rorltiger 1922-1928
• Rev. Karl Hofmann 1928-1931
• Rev. J.E. Timian 1932-1941
• Rev. G. Hinz 1941-1947
• Rev. Durdel 1950?-
• Rev. E. Croll 1953-?
• Rev. John A. Klemp 1958-1963
• Rev. Gerhard W.F. Harms 1965-1968
• Rev. J.W. Rossow 1968-?
• Rev. Donald H. Mohr 1972-1975
• John B. Erickson 1976-1978
• Rev. Mark Kloha 1979-1983
• Rev. Martin E. Shimko 1983-1987
• Rev. Joel L. Brandvold 1988-1991
• Rev. Lester Wolfgram 1992-1998
• Rev. Scott Simpson 2000-2001
• Rev. Michael Swofford 2003-2014