08/27/2026
In 1879, revival preachers visited the Halland Settlement using homes and schoolhouses as their meeting places. This led to differences in scriptural interpretation, which caused dissension among some of the Lutheran congregants. Approximately 15 people asked to be released from membership at the Lutheran church; the result was the formation of a local Mission Church. The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Mission Church of Stanton, Iowa, was organized on April 3, 1879, at the home of John Oak. Later, the name was changed to Swedish Evangelical Church of America and finally to Evangelical Covenant Church. A simple church building was constructed in 1880. As membership grew, the congregation decided to build a larger church, and in 1908, a new building was erected on the same site. The original building was torn down, and during the construction period, services were held at the English Methodist Church (a future post). While there have been changes to the building over the years, a basement was added in 1915 and a chapel addition in 1957, the original 1908 building still stands.
