churches
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
Hope Lutheran
First established April 12, 1903, the church was originally the Salon Finnish Evangelical Church and was affiliated with the Suomi Synod. The original church building was dedicated in 1915. The church was built on land purchased from Andrew Suomala for $10.00. The name of the church was changed to Oulu Finnish Evangelical Church in 1922 and the first English church service was held in 1944. The name was changed again to Hope Lutheran Church on August 25, 1963. The church’s 100th anniversary was hosted in June 2003.
SWEDISH BAPTIST CHURCH
& PINE GLADE CEMETERY
The Swedish Baptist Church was organized in October 1895. The congregation built their church in 1896 on land donated by homesteader Oscar Abrahamson. It is the oldest public building in the Oulu community. The Pine Glade Cemetery is also located on this site. By 1953, the Baptist congregation had outgrown this original building and moved to the former Washington School.
A parsonage was also built at that site. Later on, the former Washington School/Baptist Church site was home to Gary and Linda Lind and Lind Well-Drilling.
A new Grace Baptist church was constructed in 1965 across the town line in the township of Hughes.
In 1995, the congregation celebrated its 100th Anniversary.
Apostolic Lutheran Church
The Apostolic Lutheran Church is located on the Western side of Oulu on land in section 18 that was from the original Henry Maryaluut ( Maryland) homestead. The congregation was first organized in 1901 and the building constructed in 1912.
The first officers of the church were: President, John Pudas, Sr.; Vice-President, Henry Houtari; Secretary, Sakri Johnson; and Vice-Secretary, Henry Getto. The first elected pastor was Jacob Ojala.