The Perry Historical Center (PHC) was established in the 1980s in order to better preserve the records of the past for the church.  A special room in the Educational Unit is dedicated to these records and other historical items including family histories and books.  Individuals are welcome to come and research our records and family histories.

Displays in the Perry Historical Center

You can also search the Mount Horeb Library 

http://www.mhpl.org/history/index.html

Updated Perry Historical Center brochure (will open in new window)

The Historic Perry Norwegian Settlement cover page.

This book, along with others featuring local history is featured at the library website:

http://www.mhpl.org/history/index.html

Related links (below): 

History of Perry Evangelical Lutheran Church 

1854: Perry Lutheran Evangelical Church Established

1858:  Services held in our first stone church

1856-1868:  Peter M. Brodahl serves Perry as well as much of the area.  In 1863 Perry  completes the first of four parsonages to be built on the farm which has been purchased adjoining the church property.  The Brodahls move there.

1868-1878:  Abraham Jacobson pastor.   A tornado passes through the area causing death and destruction.  The parsonage is badly damaged,  The church is ruined.

1878-1881:Adolph Bredeson pastor.  New church is built with 132-foot steeple.

Late 1880's

1882-1888:   Peter Isberg pastor

1888-1903: Henrick Voldal pastor. Frame house built and replaced first parsonage.  Tall steeple damaged by lightning.  Second lightning strike in 1903.

Interior of church prior to 1903 remodel

1904-1909:  Helge Hoverstad pastor.

1910-1923:  Joseph Green Pastor.  Huge 60th Anniversary celebration in 1915 following the completion of the addition of chancel area to church. C.O. Ruste writes Sixty Years of Perry Congregation.  Perry builds large brick parsonage in 1916.

1923-1926:  J. R Lavik pastor,

1926-1931: J. H. Myrwang,

1915-1935

1932-1950:  I. A. Lavik- Pastor with longest tenure at Perry.  Church burns in 1935 from lightning.

1935 Disastrous Fire at Perry Lutheran

1950-1957: J. O. Jorgenson-Last pastor to serve our three point parish: Perry, as well as Old York and Primrose.

1958-1964: Paul F. Andersen- Our first full-time pastor.  Educational Unit built.  (Pastor Andersen died on March 11, 2013 at the age of 85 in Decorah, Iowa.)

1964-1970: H. Leonard Andersen.

1970-1974: Richard Halom - Present ranch style parsonage built.

1974-1980:  Fred Hofer.

1980-1989:  Richard Rem- Perry Historical Center established.

1990-1997:  T. M. Marks- Our history book, "The Historic Perry Norwegian Settlement" was produced by the Perry Historical Center under the direction of Peter and Mary Rathbun.

1998-2003: Jon Kosec- Memory Garden created.  Cemetery signboard directory built.  New organ donated.

2003-2004:  Ted Kalkwarf, Interim Pastor.  Historical Video, "Come Explore Historic Perry", produced in honor of Perry Lutheran's 150th Anniversary.

2004-2012:  Hans Floan - Perry's kitchen newly remodeled. Bathrooms remodeled to make them handicapped accessible.  Tribute to Veterans is constucted by Jim and Bette Pankonien with funds from Stephen and Joyce Ashman bequest to the Perry Historical Center.

2012-2014: Sara Gillespie, Interim Pastor.

2014-present:  Kelli L. Fisher