ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA

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NORTH DAKOTA PENTECOSTAL CHURCH COLLECTION

COLLECTION: OGL #1315

DATES: 1914-2004

SIZE: 4.0 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The North Dakota Pentecostal Church Collection was deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by Darrin J. Rodgers in Summer 1995 (Acc. #95-2037), on March 9, 1999 (Acc. #99-2276), and September 14, 1999 (Acc. #99-2385). An addition was deposited by Darrin J. Rodgers of Pasadena, California, on May 25, 2004 (Acc.#2004-2682).

ACCESS: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

Pentecostalism, a Christian pietistic movement, had its origins in a worldwide revival at the turn of the twentieth century. The charismatic movement refers primarily to Pentecostals within mainline denominations and independent churches, a "second wave" of revival beginning in the late 1950s. Pentecostals are defined by the way they practice their faith moreso than by a distinctive theology. "Pentecostal," then, is more of an adjective than a noun. All major Christian traditions have significant elements that are Pentecostal. Indeed, Pentecostals constitute the second largest grouping within Christianity, at 500 million adherents in 2000. Pentecostals tend to accept the contemporary practice of Biblical spiritual gifts (i.e., I Cor. 12, especially speaking in tongues and healing), emphasize a personal relationship with God, and encourage corporate and individual religious experience. They are often noted for fervent spirituality and contemporary church music.

Pentecostal historiography generally identifies two early twentieth-century revivals as defining the movement: Topeka, KS (1901), and Azusa Street, Los Angeles, CA (1906-09). However, recent scholarship has emphasized Pentecostalism's diverse roots, pointing to additional glossolalic (tongues-speaking) revivals in India (1890s), Cleveland, TN (1896), and the Red River Valley of the North (1890s-1900s). The Red River Valley revival occurred primarily among Scandinavians in areas including Grafton, ND, Fosston, MN, Audubon, MN, Moorhead, MN, Greenfield, SD, etc. Leaders in the early Red River revival became leaders in the later Pentecostal movement emanating from Azusa Street, which was likely introduced to North Dakota in 1908 when Andrew H. Argue held services in Bathgate and Glasston, ND.

Most early believers were "Free Pentecostals," existing in networks of independent ministers and churches. Pentecostal denominations were soon formed, however, to provide accountability and mission agencies. The two primary Pentecostal denominations in North Dakota are the General Council of the Assemblies of God (AG), formed in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) (CG), formed in 1886 in Monroe County, TN. The AG formed the North Central District in 1922 to serve its growing number of affiliated churches in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. Separate state districts were formed in 1936. The German Branch of the Assemblies of God was formed in 1922 for German- language churches in the U.S. About fifteen churches in North Dakota have been affiliated with the German Branch, later renamed the German District. The CG organized its first church in North Dakota in 1919, at Golden Valley. Among the most prolific early church planters in North Dakota were the Blanche Brittain (1890-1952) for the AG and Paul H. Walker (1901-1975) for the CG. In 1990, North Dakota was home to 10,000 AG adherents in 66 churches, and 1,000 CG adherents in 11 churches. Other Pentecostal groups in the state include: Church of God of Prophecy; United Pentecostal Church; International Church of the Foursquare Gospel; Church of God in Christ; Association of Faith Ministries and Churches.

Sources:

Blumhofer, Edith. The Assemblies of God: A Chapter in the Story of American Pentecostalism. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 1989.

Conn, Charles W. Like a Mighty Army: A History of the Church of God: Definitive Edition. Cleveland, TN: Pathway Press, 1996.

Daffe, Jerald. The Church of God in the Dakotas during the Depression of the 1930's. M.A. thesis, Wheaton College, 1973.

________. North and South Dakota, Church of God, Chronology, 1919-1986. S.l., s.n., 1986?

Dokter, Guy and Hazel Dokter. Let Us Go Forward: History of Northwest Bible College. Cleveland, TN: Pathway Press, c. 1970-1977.

Forward After "50": North Dakota District Council, Assemblies of God. Bismarck, ND: North Dakota District Council of the Assemblies of God, 1986.

Hollenweger, Walter J. Pentecostalism: Origins and Developments Worldwide. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.

Walker, Paul H. Paths of a Pioneer. Cleveland, TN: The Author, 1970.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The North Dakota Pentecostal Church Collection consists of three series: the first series is the Assemblies of God materials, which are filed chronologically by district and include: Constitution and By-laws of the North Dakota District Council of the Assemblies of God (1997 revised edition); periodicals published by the North Central District; minutes from the Assembly of the State Convention for North Dakota (1933-1936); minutes of the North Dakota District Council and District Presbyter meetings (1936-1944); True Conversions: Living Testimonies, by students of the North Central Bible Institute, Minneapolis, Minn. [1932]; a collection of papers on women ministers in North Dakota; periodicals published by both the North Dakota District Council and the German Branch; and articles from Assemblies of God Heritage concerning North Dakota.

The second series is the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) series, and its materials are filed chronologically and include: periodicals published by the Church of God regional office for North Dakota and South Dakota; Baptism with the Holy Ghost and the Evidence by Paul Haven Walker; and biographical materials on Paul Haven Walker. The third and final series is miscellaneous materials, and includes: testimonies of early Pentecostalism in North Dakota; and various articles written by Darrin J. Rodgers.

Most materials are photocopies. Most North Central District (AG) original materials are housed at the Minnesota District Council, 1315 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55404, (612) 332- 2409. Most North Dakota District (AG) original materials are housed at the North Dakota District Council, 1724 N. Grandview Ln., Bismarck, ND 58501, (701) 255-2526. Originals of Licht und Leben are archived at the Institute for Regional Studies, NDSU, Fargo, ND, (701) 231- 8914. Most Church of God (Cleveland, TN) original materials are housed at the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center, 260 11th St. NE, Cleveland, TN 37311, (423) 614-8576. Additional materials are located at the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center, 1445 Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802, (417) 862-2781.

The addition to the North Dakota Pentecostal Church Collection consists of the text of a paper delivered by Darrin J. Rodgers to the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, March 2004. The paper was entitled "Rediscovering Our Diverse Roots: Pentecostal Origins in Scandinavian Pietism in Minnesota and the Dakotas."

BOX/FOLDER LISTING

Series I: Assemblies of God Materials

Box 1
Folder
  1. Constitution and By-laws of the North Dakota District Council of the Assemblies of God (1997 revised edition)
  2. Gospel Herald (Minneapolis, Minn.) Jan. 1927, May-Aug. 1929
  3. Full Gospel Broadcast (Sherburn, Minn.) Nov. 1929
  4. Gospel Broadcast (Sherburn, Minn.) Nov. 1929 - Dec. 1930
  5. Gospel Broadcast (Sherburn, Minn.) Jan. 1931 - Sept. 1932 Gospel Broadcast (Minneapolis, Minn.) Oct. 1932 - Jul. 1933
  6. Minutes from the Assembly of the State Convention for North Dakota (1933-1936) and from the North Dakota District Council and District Presbyterian meetings (1936-1944)
  7. True Conversions: Living Testimonies by students of the North Central Bible Institute, Minneapolis, Minn. [1932]. Includes table of contents by Joyce Lee
  8. Papers on women Pentecostal ministers in North Dakota. Includes applications for ordination and missionary appointment, biographies, and flyers. Women include: Florence Elvina Hildegard Anderson; Blanche Elizabeth Brittain; Adele Francis Carmichael; Mary Elizabeth Chase; Susan A. Covel; Sarah Caroline Doty; Florence S. A. Engstrand; Christine Gottwald; Christine Doris Johnson; Hulda R. Kuppe; Irene Esther H. Larson; Rose Monogian; Helen H. Olsen; Olga V. Olsson; Ettie Elizabeth Reckley; Ida W. Sande; Mrs. Wycliffe M. Smith; Mary C. Sorg; Mabel E. Stake; and Lillian Steffens
  9. The Prairie Fire: The North Dakota District of the Assemblies of God, 1938 (Official organ of the North Dakota District Council of the Assemblies of God)
  10. North Dakota District Echoes (Williston, N.D.), 1938-1939 (Continuation of Prairie Fire)
  11. North Dakota District Echoes (Williston, N.D.), Jan. 1940 - Sept. 1941 North Dakota District Echoes (Hettinger, N.D.), Nov. 1941 - Dec. 1941
  12. North Dakota District Echoes (Hettinger, N.D.), 1942
  13. North Dakota District Echoes (Hettinger, N.D.), 1943-1944
  14. North Dakota District Echoes (Hettinger, N.D.), Jan. 1945 ? June 1946 North Dakota District Echoes (Powers Lake, N.D.), Sept. 1946 North Dakota District Echoes (Grenora, N.D.), Oct. 1946
  15. North Dakota District Echoes (Grenora, N.D.), Jan. 1947-Aug. 1947 North Dakota District Echoes and Ambassador (Grenora, N.D.), Sept. 1947-Dec. 1947 North Dakota District Echoes and Ambassador (Devils Lake, N.D.), Sept. 1948-Oct. 1948
  16. North Dakota District Echoes and Ambassador (Devils Lake, N.D.), 1949-1950
  17. North Dakota District Echoes and Ambassador (Devils Lake, N.D.), 1951-1952
  18. North Dakota District Echoes and Ambassador (Devils Lake, N.D.), Jan. 1953 - June 1953 North Dakota District Echoes (Devils Lake, N.D.), July 1953 - Dec. 1954
  19. North Dakota District Echoes (Devils Lake, N.D.), 1955 - 1956
  20. North Dakota District Echoes (Devils Lake, N.D.), 1957 - 1958
  21. North Dakota District Echoes (Devils Lake, N.D.), 1959 - 1960
  22. North Dakota District Echoes (Devils Lake, N.D.), 1961 - 1962
  23. North Dakota District Echoes (Devils Lake, N.D.), 1963 - 1964
  24. North Dakota District Echoes (Devils Lake, N.D.), 1965 North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), 1965 - 1966
  25. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), 1967 - 1968
  26. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), 1969 - 1970
  27. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), 1971 - 1972
Box 2
Folder
  1. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), 1973 - 1974
  2. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), 1975 - 1976
  3. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), 1977 - 1978
  4. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), 1979 - 1980
  5. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), 1981 - 1982
  6. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), 1983 - 1984
  7. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), Jan. 1985 - Nov. 1986
  8. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), Dec. 1986 - Nov. 1989 (v. 50 - 52)
  9. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), Dec. 1989 - Nov. 1992 (v. 53 - 55)
  10. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), Dec. 1992 - Nov. 1995 (v. 56 - 58)
  11. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), Dec. 1995 - Nov. 1998 (v. 59 - 61)
  12. North Dakota District Echoes (Bismarck, N.D.), Dec. 1998 (v. 62-63)
  13. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1942 (Official organ of the German Branch of the Assemblies of God, including information on German-language congregations in North Dakota. Published in German.)
  14. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1943
  15. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1944
  16. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1945
  17. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1946
  18. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1947
  19. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1948
  20. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1949
  21. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1950
  22. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1951
  23. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1952
Box 3
Folder
  1. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1953
  2. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1954
  3. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1955
  4. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1956
  5. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1957
  6. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1958
  7. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1959
  8. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1960
  9. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1961
  10. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1962
  11. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1963
  12. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1964
  13. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1965
  14. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1966
  15. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1967
  16. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), 1968
  17. Licht und Leben (Cleveland, Oh.), Jan. 1969 - Sept. 1969 Licht und Leben (East Detroit, Mich.), Oct. 1969 - Dec. 1969
  18. Licht und Leben (East Detroit, Mich.), 1970
  19. Licht und Leben (East Detroit, Mich.), 1971
  20. The C.A. Witness (Scottsbluff, Neb.), 1944 - 1945 (Official organ of the Christ's Ambassadors [youth organization] of the German Branch of the Assemblies of God, including information on German-language congregations in North Dakota. Published in English.)
  21. Articles concerning North Dakota from Assemblies of God Heritage, the quarterly historical journal of the Assemblies of God Archives (Springfield, Mo.). G. Raymond Carlson, “When Pentecost Came to the Upper Midwest” (Spring 1984). Fred G. Frank, “A Revival that Closed the Country Schools” (Spring 1988). Concerns the 1921 revival in Regan and Wilton, North Dakota. Glenn Gohr, “A Harvest in Minnesota: The Story of A/G Pioneer Frank J. Lindquist” (Spring 1990). Lindquist pastored the Minot (N.D.) Assembly of God
    in 1923, founded North Central Bible Institute in 1930, and served as District Superintendent of the North Central District from 1923 - 1945. Fannie Mae Hall, “G. Raymond Carlson: The Early Years in the Upper Midwest”(Summer 1993). Carlson (1918 - 1999) , a native of Crosby, N.D., served as General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God (1986 - 1993). Darrin J. Rodgers, “German is Food for the Soul: George Rueb, German-American Pentecostal Pioneer” (Fall-Winter 1999-2000). Rueb was a leader in the German language District of the Assemblies of God.

Series II: Church of God (Cleveland, TN) Materials

Box 3 cont

Folder

  1. Church of God Informer, Aug. 10, 1938 (Official organ of the Church of God State Office for North and South Dakota)
  2. Church of God Promoter of the Dakotas (Mobridge, S.D.), March 1946 Church of God Promoter of the Dakotas (Lemmon, S.D.), Nov. 1948 (Official organ of the Church of God State Office for North and South Dakota)
  3. Dakota News (Minot, N.D.), 1956 - 1969 (Official organ of the Church of God State Office for North and South Dakota)
  4. Paul Haven Walker, Baptism with the Holy Ghost and the Evidence (Cleveland, Tenn.: Church of God Publishing House, n.d.)
  5. Biographical materials on Paul Haven Walker.

Series III: Miscellaneous Materials

Box 3 Cont

Folder

  1. Testimonies of early Pentecostalism in North Dakota.
  2. Darrin J. Rodgers, “Pentecostal Conversion in a North Dakota Church of the Brethren Community.” Concerns the Church of the Brethren and Assembly of God congregations in Cando and Egeland, North Dakota.
  3. Darrin J. Rodgers, “North Dakotan Pentecostal Churches: Chronologies with Ministerial Lists and Bibliographic References.”
  4. "Rediscovering Our Diverse Roots: Pentecostal Origins in Scandinavian Pietism in Minnesota and the Dakotas," by Darrin J. Rodgers, 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, March 2004.

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