History of Charity

The New Ministry Task Force came into being at the urging of Bismarck-Mandan A.L.C. Ministerium. Each of the five congregations in Bismarck were represented on the task force:

• Church of the Cross - Mrs. Walter Abbott

• Faith Lutheran - Dr. Robert E. Johnson

• Good Shepherd - Byron Anderson & Erling Jacobson

• Trinity Lutheran - Harley Swenson

• Lord of Life - Russ Hannon

This task force met in early 1977 with Bishop Roy Gilbertson, Reverend Stanley Knutson (assistant to the Bishop), and Reverend James Sorenson (Service & Mission Director), to evaluate the needs and location for a new congregation to serve the area north of Interstate 94.

By February 1979 a three acre site had been purchased at the corner of Aspen Avenue and Washington Street.

At the first organizing session, an executive committee was selected:

• Dr. Robert E. Johnson - President

• Mrs. Pat Kramer - Secretary

• Erling T. Jacobson - Treasurer

Challenges included choosing a name - Charity, finding a meeting place - the old Masonic Temple, and calling a pastor - Merrill D. Ronning. The Ronnings moved to Bismarck on July 13, 1979 to start ministering to what had become a worship center for over 100 families and 350 individuals.

Charity was formally organized and Pastor Ronning was installed on November 18, 1979. Pastor Ronning served the congregation until 1985.

Charity Lutheran Church Pastoral History