90 Years This booklet may have been prepared for a 90th Anniversary of the church, which would suggest a date of around 1964. A single copy of the booklet exists in the church archives. No author is listed. The cover art was hand-drawn and has been duplicated here. Click the picture in the box to the right to see a larger version.

The Ladies Aid Sewing Society of the Komstad Swedish Mission Church held its first and initial meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Isakson, one mile west and south of the present church location, one August afternoon, either in the year 1874 or 1875.

At an informal gathering at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Isakson, Mrs. Hammerquist and Mr. and Mrs. Tuve Hanson, neighbors, discussed the advisability of organizing a society for the advancement of their church. Inspiration and enthusiasm reigned and it was definitely decided to organize with the help of the neighbors. Mrs. Tuve Hanson was chosen temporary and later permanent president. Tuve Hanson acted as secretary and treasurer. A set of by-laws was drafted for the government of the society.

The name “Komstad” was suggested by Mrs. Adrian Isakson, in memory of a community in Sweden.

Mr. and Mrs. Tuve Hanson’s daughter, at the age of 12 years, played a very important part in the organizing of this society, in that she was called upon to go from one neighbor to another and notify them that a Ladies Aid and Sewing Society was in the making and requesting their presence. Each family was asked to contribute 25 cents to be used to purchase the necessary sewing material. The neighbors contacted were:

Her means of transportation was walking and that was very difficult as there were no roads of any consequence and the grass was well over her head.

This money together with other that was contributed was placed in the treasury. Mrs. Isakson and Mrs. Hanson purchased the necessary material from the general merchandise store known as “Sunnyside.”

The first real meeting of the Ladies Aid society was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Isakson. Both men and women attended. The meetings were opened and closed with prayer. Bible reading and singing in the Swedish language, in which everyone took part, inspired them to greater efforts. Following this they sewed and knitted yarn stockings for men, women and children from wool that was donated for this purpose. These garments were allowed to accumulate and once each year an auction sale was held and the money realized was used for foreign missions, visiting ministers, and the local church. Everyone seemed to enjoy the meetings. God blessed their every effort with success and the aid prospered.

The auction sales were continued as a yearly project until about 1954. After that a yearly Harvest Festival was held and beginning this year the plan is to alternate auction sale and harvest festival.

There are no records of the society before 1945. There were minutes taken during the 1920’s, but they were not kept in a permanent record. The information that we have between the organization and 1945 was furnished by individuals.

In the early years the Ladies Aid was known as Sy-fo ringen. Translated it means sewing society. We do not know when sewing was discontinued at the meetings and they began devotions and program. Originally they did not have election of officers. The chairmanship was passed to another person by giving them the bundle of sewing material.

In 1951 it was decided officers could serve only two years in successison and in 1956 a new constitution and by-laws were adopted. The present officers consist of president, vice president, secretary, vice secretary, treasurer and assistant treasurer.

From information available the following have served the Ladies Aid as Chairmen:

At the early meetings they served a noon meal. Later when they changed to afternoon meetings they served such large lunches it was difficult to get people to serve. In 1949 it was decided to serve three things and in 1952 to serve two things.

In the 1940’s the meetings started at 2:30 but was changed to two o’clock in 1954.

In approximately 1941 the Aid was divided into four circle groups. The Aid meeting the second Friday of each month and each circle meeting once a month. There were four circles – Riverside, Beresford, Centerville, and Circle No. 4. Circle No. 4 discontinued after a short time and their members joined other groups. The three continue to be active.

The following are a few of the special events that have been sponsored by the Ladies Aid:

Our present aid has a membership of 45. Our meetings consist of singing, devotions, program and business meeting. We have themes for each month with members being responsible for the program.

We have a flower committee and a memorial committee for both Centerville and Beresford communities. There are two members on each committee. The kitchen committee consists of 6 to 8 members and each group serving a three month period. The chairman of the serving committee is also chairman of the calling committee and hospitality committee.

There are two hostesses each month for regular meetings and more for special occasions.

The purpose of this organization as stated in our constitution shall be to further the Kingdom of God by uniting women to promote greater interest for all Christian endeavors such as home and foreign missions and benevolences.

Projects Sponsored by Ladies Aid

Projects of the Circles