Red River Valley Conference facts for kids

The Red River Valley Conference was a special group that was part of the Lutheran Minnesota Conference. It was formed in 1912 from the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church. Later, in 1941, it grew even bigger by adding the Bismarck and Sheyenne areas from North Dakota. This conference covered a large area, stretching about 300 miles (480 km) from west to east and 50 miles (80 km) from north to south.

Many different groups were part of the Red River Valley Conference. These included the Women's Missionary Society, the Young Women's Society, and the Junior Missionary Society. There was also the Luther League and the Lutheran Brotherhood. The conference also had a Board of Charities that helped run important places like Warren Hospital, Bethany Home for the Aged (for older people), and Bethany Children’s Home.

The Red River Valley Conference also had four schools, all located in Minnesota. These schools helped provide education to people in the area. They were Hope Academy in Moorhead (open from 1888 to 1896), Lund Academy in Christine Lake (open from 1899 to 1901), Northwestern College in Fergus Falls (open from 1900 to 1932), and North Star College in Warren (open from 1908 to 1936).

Conference Districts

As the number of churches and members grew, the Red River Valley Conference created smaller areas called districts. This helped manage the growing community better.

Alexandria District History

The Alexandria District was the very first district formed within the conference. It started as a mission field, meaning an area where they worked to establish new churches. The first church in this district was started in Oscar Lake in 1866.

The Alexandria District officially formed in September 1879. By then, it had grown to include 19 churches and over 700 members! Because it became so large, both in people and area, the Alexandria District split into three new districts in 1898: the Central District, the Red River District, and the James River District (in North Dakota).

Two of the conference's schools, Lund Academy and Northwestern College, were located in the Alexandria District. Lund Academy was in Christine Lake and operated for a short time, from 1899 to 1901. Northwestern College in Fergus Falls was open much longer, from 1900 to 1932. Northwestern College offered many different subjects, including academic studies, business, music, and art.

Bemidji District Beginnings

The Bemidji District was created in 1919 from the northeast part of the Red River Valley Conference. The first church in this district was St. John's, founded in 1881 in Fertile. When the Bemidji District was formed, it had 12 churches and more than 1,000 members.

Fargo and North Dakota Districts

The James River District, which was created in 1898, later split into two new districts in 1909: the North Dakota District and the Fargo District. The very first church in North Dakota was Maple Sheyenne, established in 1878.

Red River District Formation

The Red River District was formed in November 1886 when the Alexandria District was divided. This new district covered the northern part of the conference. The first church in this district was the Black River Church, organized in 1881 near St. Hilaire.

The Lutheran Benevolent Society started Hope Academy in Moorhead, Minnesota, in 1888. This academy offered courses in science, classical studies, music, and English. Many students also joined the Star Lyceum Literary Society. Hope Academy had to close in 1896 because fewer students were attending from the local churches. The Red River District was also home to North Star College in Warren, Minnesota, which was open from 1908 to 1936.

Conference Leaders

Here are the people who served as presidents of the Red River Valley Conference:

• S. W. Swenson (1912–1922)
• Oscar O. Gustafson (1922–1952)
• Walter E. Carlson (1952–1962)