A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BELVIDERE COVENANT CHURCH 

In 1909, a small group of Swedish immigrants came together in a spirit of faith and prayer and praise to organize the Swedish Mission Covenant Church of Belvidere.

Two years earlier (1907) they had launched a Sunday School ministry, meeting in each other's homes to teach their children the Word of God. But as they met together, their vision broadened to include reaching others in the Belvidere area and throughout the world for Jesus Christ.

Under the leadership of Rev. Henning Nordquist, a student from North Park Seminary in Chicago, seventeen people signed on in 1909 as charter members of this new congregation. Six more would be added by the year's end -- stalwart Swedes with names like Carlson, Hulstedt, Mattson, Swanlund, Swanson, Lind, Johson and Nelson.

The founders of our church were primarily farmers; humble, hard-working, hospitable folk who had found a peace and a purpose for their lives through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They looked to the Bible, God's Word for guidance, and in their fellowship they experienced the reality of God's love. They were part of the "Mission Friends" movement, and were concerned about sharing God's love and salvation with others.

In these early years, two other North Park students served the congregation: Rev. Carl Bergquist (1909) and Rev. Ernest Anderson (1909-1911). Although their tenures were brief, several important steps forward in ministry were taken -- a choir was formed, and the Ladies Aid Society began to meet.

These men were followed by Rev. August Strom, who served as pastor from 1911-1918.  During his tenure, as the people of the church labored in this new field for the Lord, sowing, watering and cultivating seeds of faith, God in His faithfulness brought life and growth to the church, and a harvest of souls to the Kingdom. To accommodate the needs of the growing congregation, a church building at the corner of Hurlbut and Van Buren was purchased in 1912 from a Universalist group at a cost of $1500. This would remain the primary place of worship for the congregation, with a few improvements and additions, until the present church building was built in 1956.

In 1918, just at the close of World War I, Rev. August Johnson was called as pastor and he gave spiritual guidance and leadership to our congregation through the difficult days of the Great Depression, until his resignation in 1935. This was a tough time for our church. But thankfully, through the goodness of God and the financial assistance of the Central Conference, we were able to maintain our ministry and meet our monthly bills.

In the mid 1930's, as our country was going through the Great Depression, our congregation was going through the "Great Transition" -- the switch from holding services in Swedish to English. This was a big change, and it didn't happen without a struggle. But in the end the switch was made in order to better minister to the youth of the church and the people of our community. Rev. Helge Johnson (1935-1941) helped bring the congregation through this time of transition, and under his ministry the church experienced some much needed growth.

In 1941, Rev. Wilbur Westerdahl, a student from North Park, was called to serve the congregation. He would come up for the weekend, preach, teach, and visit, and then return to his classes at school in Chicago.

During his ministry (1941-1944) the church basement was excavated and made usable, the sanctuary was remodeled and expanded, and a weekly radio program on WROK was launched, featuring music by our string band and a message from Rev. Westerdahl. It was during this time that Billy Graham, a good friend of “Westy’s” and a student at Wheaton Seminary, came to preach at our church on a number of occasions.

Following the graduation of Rev. Westerdahl, another North Park student came from Chicago on weekends to serve our congregation -- Rev. Reuben C. Anderson (1944-1947). Rev. Anderson writes about his years in Belvidere:

It was during Anderson's tenure, in 1945, at the close of World War II, that the congregation took on support for their first World Missionary, Roald Amundsen, who was serving at the time with the Covenant in Alaska. That support and partnership in ministry would continue for 53 years, until Roald retired from MARC in 1998.

In 1947, Rev Willard Archer became the next pastor of the church. He served for only one year, during which the house next door to the church was purchased for use by our growing Sunday School ministry.

In 1948, Rev Al Magnuson began a four year ministry with us. Sunday School enrollment continued to grow and our work with youth flourished. With an eye toward expansion because of increasing attendance, a lot was purchased on the city's northwest side for a new parsonage and church building.

In 1952, Rev. Robert Gustafson (1952-1961) was called to be pastor of the congregation. The newly purchased lot was cleared, construction on a new parsonage was begun, and in December of that year, Pastor Gustafson and his family moved into the new home.

In 1954, we purchased our first school bus, which was a great help in bringing neighborhood children to Sunday School. Enrollment increased to over 400. In 1956, the congregation voted to sell the "old" church building to a Free Methodist congregation, and the present church building was constructed at a cost of $146,000. In 1959, the church celebrated it's 50th Anniversary with a week of special meetings and services.

Rev. Philip Frykholm came to Belvidere in 1961. Right away he was faced with a challenge -- a confirmation class of 36 youth -- the largest class in the history of our church. It was during his 15 year tenure that the first in a series of Youth Directors were called to help with the church's ministry to youth, our Awana program for children was launched, and the Senior-Citizens-For-Christ fellowship group was organized. Today our Senior's group is still going strong and our Awana program continues to be a highlight of our ministry, reaching kids in our community for Christ.

Following Rev. Frykholm's retirement in 1976, Rev. William Meinert accepted the call to lead the congregation. Pastor Meinert is remembered for being both a student and a teacher of the Scriptures. Under his leadership our church's budget grew, as did our contribution to Covenant missions as well as other causes.

In 1984, Rev. James Walcott became our pastor. Our Summer Outreach was launched, with 3 gospel concerts being held in Belvidere Park each summer, as well as a Rest Tent ministry at the Boone County Fair. Growth Groups based on the Churches Alive series were launched, which resulted in the spiritual growth of many participants. In 1991, the congregation took a big step of faith and took out a loan to install an elevator, which provides access to our sanctuary and fellowship hall for those with disabilities.

When Pastor Walcott concluded his ministry with our church in 1992, Rev. David Carlson came in and provided a wonderful interim ministry, paving the way for our present pastor, Rev. Scott Nellis, who arrived in 1993.

Since then, members have given generously and sacrificially to several projects, including the purchase of two new furnaces for the church, the paving of the church parking lot, the purchase of a new van for church ministry, the roofing of the church and the purchase of a new parsonage. Giving to Covenant Missions has also increased. A "Praise Team" was formed and has been regularly sharing in worship. New ministries of compassion have been launched to help meet the needs of hurting people in our community, including involvement at the Rockford Rescue Mission, “The Great GiveAway” and a Community Thanksgiving Dinner.

As you can see, there have been many changes in these 100+ years. We've been through 17 presidents, 15 pastors, 2 World Wars, and a Great Depression. We've gone from horse and buggy to space travel. From wood cookstoves to microwaves. From Swedish to English.

But this remains the same -- our commitment to Jesus Christ and our desire to share Christ's love with our community. And, best of all, "Jesus Christ remains the same -- yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)." Jesus is still the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He's still forgiving sins. Still changing lives. Still giving hope.

We have a God who is worthy of our worship! Because of His love and grace shown to us in so many ways through the years, we have something worth celebrating! And we have a message worth sharing!

Even as we give thanks for 100+ years of God's faithfulness to us as a congregation, may we move boldly into the future that He has prepared for us, confident of this, that "He who began a good work in us, will carry it on to completion until the Day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6)."

CENTENNIAL SLIDESHOW 

More pictures of people and events from our church ministry through the years can be downloaded from our newsletters / resources page.