A hen that came to Holy Communion, a church built from the remains of a burned-down capitol, six orphaned girls adopted after worship, a tornado that lifted one church, a hurricane that destroyed another. These are among the many unexpected accounts that fill the pages of the history of the first churches established in Texas by Swedish immigrants. From 1870 through 1916, over a dozen congregations emerged on the Texas prairies and coastlines. Haverlah has gathered the facts--some stranger than fiction--about these historic churches and their pioneer pastors into one book. Included as background material are the history of Christianity in Sweden, the introduction of Lutheranism in Sweden, and the formation of the Augustana Synod in the United States. Learn about Ansgar ("Apostle of the North"), King Gustaf Vasa ("Father of Sweden"), and Gustavus Adolphus ("Lion from the North"). Discover colleges founded by the Swedes--which ones survived, which ones did not, and why. Be prepared to be surprised by answers to such questions as: Who was allowed to join the church? How often was Communion offered? How much was the pastor's salary and pension? What did the seminarians call the women's dorm at Augustana College? How long did congregations use Swedish before switching to English? Each congregation's history is unique, but all illustrate the determination of laypeople to establish a church in their midst. Throughout the book we see a common thread: people yearning to hear, and pastors eager to proclaim, the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the inspiring story of the men and women who by shear grit and steadfast faith established the church where there was none.
About the Author: Rev. Elroy Haverlah has been an ordained Lutheran minister since 1973. His most recent congregation, where he served for almost twenty years, was a historic Swedish congregation near Austin, Texas. It was there at Palm Valley Lutheran Church that Haverlah became enamored with the many descendants of immigrants who settled the area in the mid-nineteenth century. After retirement he did extensive research into the Swedish immigration to Central Texas. One of the products of his study was his publication of "Anna's Journey," a historical fiction about the first settlers in the Round Rock area. His latest book, "History of Swedish Lutheran Churches in Texas," is the compilation of the history of the first congregations established in the state. Haverlah is happily married to Rachel. Their two grown children are married with children of their own, four grandsons, in whom he delights when not busy writing.