First Lutheran Church

(folder #1) This folder contains a congregational historical record, a pamphlet encouraging giving towards a new church building, two bulletins from the 75th anniversary, two booklets from the 50th anniversary, a booklet from the 75th anniversary year, a booklet from the dedication in 1960, a pamphlet with plans for the new building, various letters, an annual report from 1966, a booklet from the 80th anniversary, a booklet from the 90th anniversary, a congregational statistical record, and newspaper articles about their church. (folder #2) This folder contains a letter from Milton Nesvig, two books from the 100th anniversary celebration, and a supplement to the 100th anniversary book.

On February 21, 1886 the Fordefjord Norwegian Evangelical Congregation of Poulsbo was organized with 21 charter members. The next year marked the arrival of the first permanent pastor and the building of the first church on the present site, land donated by Jorgen Eliason. In 1898 a synodical controversy developed which caused some members to withdraw from the Fordefjord congregation and organize the Lutheran Free Church, later known as Grace Lutheran. This congregation later merged with Vinland Lutheran of Poulsbo. In 1917 Fordefjord became affiliated with the United Lutheran Church, later called the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. Two other name changes took place in the 1940s, beginning with the change from Fordefjord to First Lutheran in 1943, followed three years later by a synodical change to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Affiliation with the American Lutheran Church occurred in 1960 at the time of the merger.