Trysil Historielag

Trysil-Bethesda Cemetery
Holmes City township, Douglas County, Minnesota

Contributed by the Trysil Historielag USA – Canada

June 2004. (wildweave@mac.com)

Compiled from various information sources:   cemetery records, cemetery walk-throughs, Trysil Church book, family histories, Douglas County Historical Society, Minnesota Historical Society Death Index, newspapers and the generous donations of time and materials from many individuals

Trysil-Bethesda Cemetery is located in Section 22, T127N, R39W, in Holmes City township, Douglas Co, MN. The cemetery entrance is on County Rd 26 with a sign “Trysil-Bethesda Cemetery”. Cemetery is located on a small hill on the north side of the road.

The Trysil Lutheran Church and cemetery was established by immigrants from Trysil, Hedmark, Norway who settled in Holmes City township, beginning in 1867.
The Trysil Lutheran Church congregation was organized by Rev. Paul Gjermundson Østby, at the home of Hans Strandvold, on the 28th day of August 1870. Charter members were Halvor O. Strandvold, Hans H. Strandvold, H. Toraasen, Martin H. Strandvold, Anders Knutson, Ole M. Sogaarden, Halvor H. Strandvold, Per Aas, E. Østby and E. Steen (Støen). At a congregational meeting held the 22nd October 1871, it was decided to secure temporary service from Pastor I.A. Berg three times a year for the sum of $55. As this arrangement was not satisfactory to either the pastor or the congregation it was decided at the meeting held 11th April 1872 to see if the salary sufficient could not be collected to call a permanent pastor. On July 14, 1872, Pastor Christian T. Saugstad was unanimously elected as Trysil’s pastor.

On November 20, 1873, the congregation received two bequests: One from A. Knudson, namely, the church yard, and the other from Halver O. Strandvold, namely the church building. The church was then new and it had cost Mr. Strandvold $600.

The congregation flourished for 92 years and was dissolved April 1, 1962, due to declining membership. The building was dismantled and the bell is now preserved on the site as a memorial to Trysil Lutheran Church. The cemetery which surrounded the church continues to be maintained and used by past members and their descendants.