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ing in Carl Anderson’s home in Swede Point, as he
had the largest house. Carl Anderson, being a single
man, lived upstairs while he let the people have
his downstairs room for meetings. This room was
remodeled wTith pews, pulpit and altar ring and was
used for meeting room until the church was built
in 1869. In those days the farmer hitched his yoke
of oxen to the low-wheeled log wagon and brought
his family to service. The wagon box was made of
rough board. Rough boards or chairs were used
for seats. Others walked to service as was
customary in ‘ ‘ösgötabygda” where pathways were
followed through timber and over mountains. The
religion of the pioneers was deep in faith and
simplicity.
In 1859 Håkanson organized the Swedish Lutheran
congregation at Swede Point. It was called “St.
Johannes.” The membership was only 13 families.
Håkanson was called as pastor at a salary of 250
dollars a year. The same year an annex
congregation was organized at Swede Bend, now Stratford,
Iowa. Håkanson was pastor of these two
congregations for nine years, until he moved to Bergholm,
Iowa. During the time of this pastorship Håkanson
lived in his own parsonage in Swede Point.
In 1867 it was decided to build a church, A block
was bought in west Swede Point. Stone for the
foundation was hauled by yoke of oxen. The church
was built of native lumber. Each one helped to
do the work to lessen the expense. John Dalander
was the overseer of the work. The building was
finished in 1869 and dedicated by Rev. Jonas
Swens-son at the conference held at Swede Point, 1871.
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