|
|---|
     |
 |
OLLC Central
About Us
The movement first reached North America with Finnish immigrants in the 1860s. Congregations were first formally organized in Cokato, Minnesota in 1872 and Calumet, Michigan in 1873.
The earliest members of the Laestadian Lutheran Faith to move to the Dunblane - Glenside, Saskatchewan area came from either Finland or the United States. They moved from established congregations to homestead on the Saskatchewan prairie. Since their faith was so important and precious to them, they began to gather together to hold services. The first members arrived in the Glenside area in 1905, in the Dunblane area in 1909 and in the Rock Point area in 1911. They did not have a church building nor a pastor at first, so services were held in members¹ homes. Visiting pastors came from North Dakota, Minnesota and Michigan in the United States to serve. Regular Sunday Services were held, when hymns were sung and Bible passages read. Confirmation School was held from 1921 on. Jacob Ylioja served as a pastor from 1924 - 1946. The congregation was incorporated as the Dunblane Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in 1927. Services continued still to be held usually in homes; however sometimes they were held in local rural schools. Visiting pastors continued to be called from the United States.
The congregation¹s name was changed to the Dunblane Laestadian Congregation in 1973, and later it was changed to the Dunblane Laestadian Lutheran Church. These changes were made to reflect the unity of the church with the Laestadian Faith in Finland, which is a revivalist movement in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, as well as to distinguish it from other North American Apostolic Lutheran Churches, which have differing doctrines.
Because so many members lived in and around the town of Outlook, and the existing church building was becoming too small for the continuously growing congregation, it was decided to establish a congregation in Outlook. This took place in 1988. The Dunblane and Outlook Laestadian Lutheran Churches have worked together in spiritual unity since then, still holding some joint functions. The Outlook congregation used a rented facility in the town for their activities, until they were able to build a new church, which was dedicated in May of 1993. Presently God’s Holy Word is preached in both congregations for the salvation of souls. Pastors serving the congregations are: Duane Pirness, Dean Simonson, Clayton Ylioja, David Anderson, Melvin Kallio, Arthur Simonson, Wayne Kallio, Robert Haapala, Stanley Ylioja and Jari Warwaruk. Many activities are held in both congregations, which continue to grow, experiencing God’s abundant blessings. We have had the fortune of hosting the Annual Summer Services of the Laestadian Lutheran Church (made up of North American Laestadian Lutheran Congregations) four times: in 1978, 1985, 1996 and 2004. We will again be hosting the LLC Summer Services in 2015. Back
|
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|
© Copyright - Outlook Laestadian
Lutheran Church - Saskatchewan, Canada |
After the death of the pastor, Jacob Ylioja in 1946, the congregation gathered on Sundays to read spiritual articles in the Finnish language. Sunday School was established in 1949. Visiting pastors continued to serve the congregation regularly. Sermons were kept exclusively in the Finnish language earlier on; however in the 1940’s and 50’s sermons were kept in both the Finnish and English languages. Starting in the 1960¹s, sermons were translated into English. From 1956, with the exception of 1957, pastors came every year from Finland to serve the congregation as well. In 1957, a tape recorder was purchased, and from then on, taped sermons were used at the Sunday Services if a visiting pastor wasn¹t present. 
The congregation's dream of having their own church building was finally realized in 1967. This building was enlarged and renovated in 1976 and again in 1990. Melvin Pirness (in 1966), Arthur Simonson and Melvin Kallio (in 1975) were blessed into serving as pastors. In addition to Sunday Services and Sunday School, Bible Class, Day Circle, Retirees gatherings and camps have been held regularly. 