Soldier Lutheran Church throughout the years has been a staple of the Soldier community. When first officially organized, it was known as the Norwegian Lutheran Congregation of Soldier. Formed by early pioneers to the area, the birthday of the congregation is thought to be April 28, 1870, when the first pastor, Rev. Ellef Olson, arrived.
Prior to the first church structure being built, the congregation originally met in schools, dugouts, log cabins and barns. Construction on the first structure of Soldier Lutheran began in 1882. A fire, caused by lightning, destroyed this building in 1903. Pastor G.H. Bakke, who was residing in the nearby parsonage, ran into the building and saved the painting above the altar, the cross, and candlesticks. These items are still used today, in the South Church. Construction of the South Church was completed in 1904.
The Old Soldier Lutheran Church building was built in 1916, and dedicated in 1917. This building, along with the South Church, was used by the congregation until May 11, 1969, when the new town church was dedicated.
The new Town Church was built in large part by members of the community and congregation. Many hours of labor were donated in order to level the ground, clean the bricks, shingle the building, paint the Sunday School rooms, glaze the stained glass windows and clean.
The 100th anniversary of Soldier Lutheran was celebrated on June 14, 1970. A re-dedication service and burning of the mortgage was held on April 27, 1975. Today, the congregation still meets in the new Town Church every Sunday. The South Church is used during the month of June, and is used occasionally for weddings and funerals.
