Brownsdale's Our Savior Church marks 75 years

By Adam Pulchinski The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

BROWNSDALE The congregation of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Brownsdale celebrated the churchs 75th anniversary the same way they have celebrated their fellowship throughout those years: together, as a community.

Gathering Sunday afternoon for a special worship service, followed by coffee and cake, people of the congregation enjoyed each others company and reminisced.

The church is a real community, said member Nancy Holland. Its a real community-type atmosphere, with people helping each other.

Holland, who served on the anniversary committee, has been a member at Our Savior since 1978. She moved to Brownsdale after marrying her husband, Norbert, who was born and raised in the area. Norberts parents joined the church shortly after it was moved from its original location in Hayfield in 1937.

They werent charter members, but they joined shortly after, Holland said. Like her husbands parents, many of the congregation can trace their roots back to the beginning. Some of those current members could catch a glimpse of their ancestors in a DVD that was made from a film chronicling the moving and building of the church.

We were going through all of the old papers and this movie was here, Holland said. Other items the committee found in their preparation included the original constitution of the church, the minutes from their first meeting, and the deed.

Its our history and we want to save it for future generations.

The history of the church itself was commemorated more than any physical building on Sunday. Our Savior has gone through location changes, remodels, and other construction during its 75 years.

We actually have people who say, and say with a smile, I got married in a funeral home, said the Rev. Jeff Sage, Our Saviors pastor. Sage was referring to a previous location of the church that was changed to a mortuary after the church moved to accommodate a larger congregation. Sage emphasized while the buildings may change, there is a lot more to celebrated.

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Brownsdale's Our Savior Church marks 75 years