Check out these photos of AMLC. The photo to the left shows the church and the parsonage in the background (more parsonage photos in another post).
The church in Adams is named Adams Mountain Lutheran Church. On November 13, 1886, after the decision by Norwegian Lutheran settlers who wanted to have four worship services a year, Rev. Holseth, a pastor from the South Park River Congregation, met with several families in the sod house on the Jens Bjorg farm. It was at this meeting that the Mountain Lutheran Congregation was organized. The services were held in the homes and the school houses, which were generally packed with people. Services were held exclusively in the Norwegian language. The pioneers were hospitable people and served elaborate meals at each service.
Adams Mountain Lutheran Church has a deep-rooted history in the Norwegian tradition and in the history of Adams. In looking at the most recent directory (2005), of the 88 families in the church, 79 of them have had family roots in Adams for nearly or more than 100 years. Many are descendants of the founders of both the church and the town.
The Women of the ELCA (formally American Lutheran Church Women, ALCW) began in 1906. Holding monthly meetings, programs, and events, they raise money and give it away. In 1952, the women began to make quilts for Lutheran World Relief, and this tradition continues today. Other groups include the Altar Guild (organized in 1978), Men’s Club (organized in 1957), Youth Hi-League (organized in 1890), Junior Lutherans (organized in 1930), and Sunday School (organized in 1906). All but the Junior Lutherans are still active groups today. AMLC also added H2O, a service group, in 2006.
From the beginning, a mission to gather to hear the word and worship God has been integrated into AMLC. Worship began before a church, before a pastor, even before the town of Adams! This commitment to having worship in the church has continued through today. Even in the interim times without a pastor, lay people would lead worship, and people still came together to praise God. As the town became smaller and attendance dwindled, offering continued to grow. There has always been a faithful commitment to the church.
There is not a formal mission statement of the church. However, the most recent call committee formed the statement, “To offer quality worship that reaches the needs of our parishioners and the surrounding community. Grounded in faith and tradition, we offer a sense of community.” From this statement, it is obvious that worship and the community are two extremely important parts of the congregation’s value system. The Board of Education wrote a mission statement in 2006, “Following Jesus, we will empower all to love and serve God and humankind.”
Many people, both members and non-members of AMLC, define the congregation as helpful. The large kitchen in the basement was recently remodeled and many meals are prepared there—both for the church community and the greater Adams community.
Retirement parties, birthday parties, confirmation banquets, pot-lucks, benefits for community members in need, fundraisers for youth, the WELCA bazaar and meal, family reunions, meals after funerals, wedding receptions, and more are hosted in the basements of the church. It is a welcoming space with round tables and seating for many people. The east side of the basement (the education center) also has space for people to eat.
The congregation and community look forward to the annual WELCA bazaar and dinner, soup and bread before Lent services, Easter brunch, and Men’s Club Hunter’s breakfast.
When there is an event at church it is the people who come together to bring the food, set up the tables, clean up after the event, and are often the speakers at the event as well! There is no shortage of “helping hands” at AMLC. Congregation members care for their church in a deep way. If there is snow in front of the door, someone stops by and shovels it. If there is cleaning to be done, someone gets a vacuum or a mop and takes care of it. No money or credit is given; they do it merely because of their love of the church and because they are a part of the Christian community.
