Valby Lutheran Church (Ione, Or.)

In the early 1880s a number of Swedish people with strong Lutheran backgrounds settled in the eight-mile Gooseberry area of Morrow County in north central Oregon. When Dr. Erik Norelius, a pastor of the Augustana Synod, came on April 16, 1888, he conducted services in homes in the area and a meeting was held to lay the groundwork for the establishment of a congregation.

Rev. Peter Carlson visited the area and conducted services in October and November of 1886. At a special business meeting, the congregation voted to accept a five-acre site (which had been donated) as the place to locate the church and cemetery. A drive was begun to raise funds. On May 27, 1897 the church was built, with dedication following on October 24.

In 1955, Hope congregation was organized in Heppner as a member of the ALC. At that time, the Valby congregation decided to become a member of the ALC and go together with Hope to form one parish.

From the time the congregation was organized until they joined with Hope, they were served periodically by pastors of the Columbia Conference, Augustana Synod, who were serving nearby parishes. Sunday School was held regularly through the years and in June of 1925 the Ladies’ Missionary Society was organized.