A Scandinavian Beginning on Fourth Street
Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, often shortened to Pont, traces its roots to a December 14, 1877 meeting in a Fargo home. Twenty-five charter members organized what they called the Pontoppidan Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Lutheran Congregation and named it for Bishop Erik Pontoppidan, a Danish author of religious instruction. The choice drew debate, and within weeks the congregation briefly renamed itself the First Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fargo before reverting to Pontoppidan. Rev. C. T. Wold became the first called pastor in 1877 at an annual salary of $400 plus three offerings, serving both Pontoppidan and the Moland congregation near the Buffalo River.
Three Buildings on the Same Corner
The first church went up beginning in August 1878 at 415 Third Street North, with the children's Christmas program of December 1879 its first use. That building was destroyed in the Fargo Fire on June 7, 1893. The second church rose on the corner of 4th Avenue and 4th Street North, ready for use by the end of October 1894 at a cost of about $4,500. The congregation worshipped in the Swedish Lutheran Church during construction. By 1912 the second building was already too small, poorly ventilated, and hard to heat, and it was sold to the Western Newspaper Union in 1916 and later torn down.
The present sanctuary stands at the corner of 3rd Avenue and 4th Street North, where a building site was purchased in June 1913 for $5,500. Designed by Gilbert and Haxby architects, the cornerstone was laid July 16, 1916, and the building was dedicated in the spring of 1917 at a cost of $30,000, of which $13,000 was debt. In 1957 the congregation successfully fought urban renewal plans that would have moved it from the site, and the church property was accepted as part of urban renewal.
Worship on Sunday Mornings
The Sunday rhythm begins at 9:15 am with coffee hour fellowship in the basement Fellowship Hall, while children head upstairs to Sunday School at the same hour. At 10:00 am the congregation gathers in the sanctuary for worship with Pastor Alex Waters. The service includes songs of praise, a time for confession of sin and the hearing of forgiveness, Scripture readings, a teaching on the Scripture, prayers, and a children's message. Communion is celebrated on the first and third Sundays of the month, with grape juice offered alongside wine. The music blends traditional and contemporary songs.
Each Sunday at 10:00 am the service is broadcast live on AM 1100 "The Flag" and livestreamed on Facebook, with a video archive of past services available online afterward. Weekly bulletins can be downloaded in advance. Visitors are welcome to come dressed up or casually, in whatever makes them comfortable. Anyone needing a ride to church on Sunday can call the office at 701-232-0998 during Monday through Thursday hours.
Faith Formation from Age Three Through Graduation
Sunday School runs from 9:15 am to 9:55 am for children from age 3 through grade 12. All ages begin together with an activity, music, and a Bible story, then divide into older and younger groups for discussion and activities that reinforce the lesson. The current curriculum walks through the life of Jesus.
A series of milestone celebrations marks a child's journey: Spark Story Bibles at age 3, a Bible presentation in second grade, first communion in fifth grade, entry to confirmation in sixth grade and confirmation in the fall of ninth grade, and graduation recognition for seniors. Confirmation classes meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm during the school year. Youth Group, for grades 6 through 12, gathers twice monthly on the second and fourth Wednesdays at 7:30 pm, with additional retreats, camps, and a mentorship program pairing teenagers with adult mentors. All-ages Vacation Bible School is held each Wednesday evening in June.
Beyond the children's programs, the congregation has long gathered around study and fellowship groups. Adult Bible Study, quilting, and cardmaking meet weekly, while WELCA (Women of the ELCA) carries on the work of earlier Ladies Aid and Dorcas Mission Society circles. The PEP Club and SALT Club, formed in the 1990s, keep members of different ages connected through fellowship and service.
The Mobile Food Pantry
On the third Thursday of each month, Pont's east parking lot becomes a drive-through food distribution in partnership with the Great Plains Food Bank. From 4:00 to 5:30 pm, or until supplies run out, volunteers hand out fresh vegetables, fruits, shelf-stable items, meat, bakery items, and boxed goods directly into vehicles. No pre-registration or referral is required; a short intake form is filled out on site, and all who need food assistance are welcome. Vehicles enter from 3rd Avenue. Volunteers are welcome any time after 3:00 pm.
A Radio Congregation at 1100 AM
Pontoppidan has been on the air since 1955, when Pastor Ronning began broadcasting worship on KFNW. Today the service is broadcast live each Sunday at 10:00 am on AM 1100 "The Flag." Each broadcast costs $250 to produce, and gifts of $250 or more may dedicate a broadcast in memory or honor of a loved one.
Music, Quilts, and Greeting Cards
Music runs through Sunday worship through a choir, handbell choir, and special music offerings. Volunteers serve as ushers, greeters, and Sunday School teachers. Two long-running creative groups meet weekly: a quilting group that produces quilts to donate and a cardmakers group that creates greeting cards. Together these ministries of music and craft stitch Pont's life together week by week.
Weddings, Baptism, and Pastoral Care
Weddings at Pont are treated as worship services, and the church encourages couples to be familiar with its practices. Members can reserve a date through the office, while non-members are asked to contact office@pontonline.org or 701-232-0998. Weddings should be reserved at least three months in advance, with preparation that includes meetings with the wedding coordinator, the pastor, and the church organist or pianist.
Baptisms can be arranged through the church office. In the church's Lutheran teaching, baptism is the place where God makes promises that infants grow into and that adults live out and confirm daily. Martin Luther explained that in baptism God forgives sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe what God has promised.
A Congregation in the ELCA
Pontoppidan joined the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1988, part of the Eastern North Dakota Synod. Through the 1920s and 1930s the congregation navigated the gradual transition from Norwegian to English services, with English-only morning services established and Norwegian services continuing in the basement until 1942. A Contemporary Service was added in 1987, and weekly bulletins have been part of worship since 1939. Today's bulletins, with songs, Scripture readings, and the order for confession and forgiveness, give a clear picture of each Sunday's worship.
Joining the Pont Family
Those exploring membership can fill out a new-member interest form; the office follows up with details about upcoming new-member gatherings. The congregation's mission statement reads: "Proclaiming the Gospel, Living in Christ, Caring for our neighbors."
Accessibility and Parking
The facilities are wheelchair accessible, with handicap and mobility-impaired parking spaces in the east parking lot and an elevator serving different levels of the building. On Sundays, parking is available on the street and in the east lot; for events during the week, visitors should use the east office doors.
Giving and Planned Giving
Gifts can be made during services, by mail to 309 4th St N, Fargo, ND 58102, by texting an amount to 855-967-3544, or through secure online giving. Automatic weekly or monthly withdrawals from checking or savings accounts can be set up. The church also accepts IRA qualified charitable distributions and bequests through wills and trusts, with sample bequest language available. The church's federal tax ID is 45-0275055.
Leadership and Parish Planning
Pastor Alex Waters leads the congregation, with office hours on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Rachel Gillen serves as Director of Education (Tuesday through Thursday, 12:00 to 3:00 pm). Sue Jordahl is organist and pianist, and Del Jordahl directs the choir. Virginia Moon serves as office manager and Jan Lacher as financial secretary. The Parish Planning Council, led by President LaDonne Vik, Vice President Ruth Stensland, Secretary Mona Fagerwick, and Treasurer Paul Linstad, oversees Discipleship, Worship, Evangelism, Ministry, and Fellowship through its elected members.