Although there was no parish agreement between them, it is of interest that Gustavus Adolphus church in Kingman shared the same pastor as Wilhelmina for most (perhaps all) of the time it was in operation.

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Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church
Kingman, Alberta – Augustana Synod

From “Harvest of Memories” History of Kingman and Districts
© Kingman Silver Club 1981

In 1914 the early Swedish settlers in this area made plans to have a church built. Early in 1915 the building of the church began, most of the work being donation work.

On July 4, 1915, Rev. L. Heiner, the new minister for this congregation, had his first service in the church. About two weeks later there was an all day Thursday service. The speakers for the day were Rev. Egstrand of Minneapolis, Rev. Eriksson of Czar, and Rev. L. Heiner, the local pastor.

Some of the first members were Eric Hoflin and family, Mr. and Mrs. Olaf Johnson and family, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Olson, Mr. and Mrs. A. H.
Mickelson and family and Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Blyckert and family.

The weather vane for the top of the steeple was made by Mr. C. R. Blyckert, the local blacksmith. It shows the year 1915.

The Gustavus Adolphus, Fridhem and Wilhelmina churches were served by one pastor. The Kingman services were held every three or four weeks and were conducted in the Swedish language.

Rev. L. Heiner was the first pastor. He served the congregation from 1915-1918. During the Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918, while helping to care for the sick, he caught the flu and died.

The first wedding was that of Agnes Johnson and David Anderson which took place November 27, 1915. The second wedding was that of Ruth Blyckert and Joseph Monson on December l, 1920.

The members of the first confirmation class were John, Mary and Selma Johnson, Ruth Blyckert and Helga Hansen. The confirmation service took place December 5, 1915.

In March 1916, the interior of the church was completed with the installation of pulpit and pews.

In May, 1916, the congregation purchased a church organ from T. J. Rogness. This organ is still a memorable part of the church furnishing.

Joint special services of the new Gustavus Adolphus church and the Alberta Mission Board took place on Saturday and Sunday, June 17-18, 1916. Rev. A. Eriksson of Hughenden, Rev. O. Lindgren of Czar and Rev. Heiner were the speakers on Saturday. Sunday was dedication day. The dedication sermon was preached in the morning by Rev. L. P. Bergstrom of Winnipeg with the text from Psalm 11:4 “Jehovah is in His holy temple.” After the sermon, the ministers of the Alberta District gathered at the altar rail for the dedication ceremony. Each pastor read scripture passages referring to the temple, and the assembly rose
and sang a hymn from the Swedish Hymnal. In the afternoon there was the dedication of the church cemetery.

It was a memorable event, when hearts and minds were lifted to the throne on high. The days were happy and all were loathe to leave.

Rev. Grondberg served from 1922-1928 and Rev. A. Eriksson from 1931-1937. We have been unable to determine the names of pastors who may have served the congregation during the periods 1919-1921 and 1929-1930. Substitute ministers included Rev. Eklund and Rev. C. Bernhardson and others may have provided service from time to time.

During Rev. Eriksson’s ministry, he organized a combined Luther League for the young people of the two Kingman Lutheran congregations. Rev. Eriksson would very often walk from the Fridhem parsonage to Kingman for these meetings, a distance of about ll miles.

After Rev. Eriksson’s ministry, the Gustavus Adolphus congregation was dissolved. The church building, including all contents, was sold in 1941 to the Salem Lutheran congregation at Kingman, Alberta.