Red River Valley Conference facts for kids

The Red River Valley Conference was a group of Lutheran churches that worked together in the early 1900s. It was formed in 1912 from a part of the Lutheran Minnesota Conference. This conference was part of the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church, which was a large church organization.

In 1941, the Red River Valley Conference grew bigger. It welcomed churches from the Bismarck and Sheyenne areas of North Dakota. These churches used to be part of the Minnesota Conference. The conference covered a large area, stretching about 300 miles (480 km) from west to east and 50 miles (80 km) from north to south.

The Red River Valley Conference had many groups that helped people. These included the Women's Missionary Society, the Young Women's Society, and the Junior Missionary Society. There was also the Luther League for young people and the Lutheran Brotherhood for men. The conference also had a special board that helped manage hospitals and homes. They oversaw Warren Hospital, Bethany Home for the Aged (for older people), and Bethany Children’s Home (for children).

The conference also believed in education. It had four schools in Minnesota. These were Hope Academy in Moorhead, which was open from 1888 to 1896. Lund Academy in Christine Lake operated from 1899 to 1901. Northwestern College in Fergus Falls was open from 1900 to 1932. Finally, North Star College in Warren taught students 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 them manage everything better.

Alexandria District

The Alexandria District was the first district created within the conference. It started as a "mission field," which means it was an area where they were trying to start new churches. The first church in this district was formed in 1866 at Oscar Lake. By September 1879, the district had grown to 19 churches with over 700 members. Because it became so large, 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).

Both Lund Academy and Northwestern College were located in the Alexandria District. They provided important learning chances for people in the area. Lund Academy was open for a short time, from 1899 to 1901. Northwestern College, however, operated for much longer, from 1900 to 1932. Northwestern College offered many different subjects, including academic studies, teacher training, and basic preparation courses. It also had schools for business, music, and art.

Bemidji District

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

Fargo and North Dakota Districts

The James River District, which was formed 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, called Maple Sheyenne, was started in 1878.

Red River District

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

In 1888, a group called the Lutheran Benevolent Society started Hope Academy in Moorhead, Minnesota. This academy offered science, classical studies, music, and special English classes. Many students also joined the Star Lyceum Literary Society, where they could practice public speaking and writing. Hope Academy closed in 1896 because fewer students from the nearby churches were attending. The Red River District was also home to North Star College in Warren, Minnesota, which operated from 1908 to 1936.

Leaders of the Conference

The Red River Valley Conference had several presidents who led the organization:

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