|
Home
Galesburg (IL) Celebrates 135 Years
GALESBURG, IL (August 14, 2003) - Glenn R. Palmberg, president of the Evangelical
Covenant Church, was the guest preacher on Sunday as the Covenant Church of
Galesburg celebrated its 135th anniversary last weekend.
The Covenant Church of Galesburg is the longest continually running
congregation in the Covenant. According to a previous archivist at the
church, Stu Hawkinson, the church officially began in August 1868. A devout
group of young people gathered to pray and talk about organizing their own
church. The next day, Sunday, they met again in the
home of Truls and Cherstie Swenson . . . 31 people signed a commitment to
charter membership . . ."
Palmberg was aided during the worship service by James Sandberg, a son of
the church who now serves as senior pastor of Trinity Covenant Church in
Oak Lawn, Illinois. Palmberg's appearance was one of many special aspects
of Sunday's celebration. Following morning worship, the congregation hosted
a luncheon and then invited past and present confirmands for a reunion
service that afternoon. James Ecklund, a former pastor of the church, gave
the keynote address. Pastor emeritus G. Harold Ahlberg and Richard
Peterson, a son of the church and a pastor, also participated. About 200
attended the event.
A previous pastor at the church, Richard Swanson, was the guest speaker at
a Saturday night banquet at nearby Lake Storey Pavilion. A total of 240
attended, said Ken Maurizi, a member of the church. A number of musical
groups participated in various ways during the weekend and memorabilia was
on display throughout with the help of the church's archivist, Linda
Maurizi.
The Covenant Church of Galesburg, under pastor Tom Ek, has nearly 200 in
average worship attendance. It is one of five congregations assisting a
church plant in the Quad Cities area bordering Illinois and Iowa. For more
information about the Galesburg church and its ministries, call
309-344-1711.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
|
|
|
