Troy Evangelical Lutheran Church (Troy, Idaho)

Swedish settlers came to the area southeast of what is now the town of Troy, Idaho in 1883. In the fall of 1885 Peter Carlson began conducting services in homes, and on December 12, 1886 the congregation was formally organized with a charter membership of 17 adults and 14 children. The congregation chose the name “Westdala Evangelical Lutheran Church.”

At a meeting on May 31, 1891 the congregation voted to build a church “with a tower at least as high as that of the Scandinavian Methodist Church.” In 1902 the church was moved to its present location, and in 1907 it was enlarged and remodeled. A parsonage was purchased in that same year, and it was sold when the present parsonage was purchased. The church basement was completed in 1914. Until 1907, the church was part of the parish of First Lutheran Church of Moscow, Idaho, and was served by their pastors. In February of 1899 a trace of land was secured on Burnt Ridge for the Westdala Lutheran Cemetery. One of the founders of the Augustana Synod, Rev. Peter Beckman, and his wife, Karen, are buried there. On October 10, 1950 the name of the cemetery was changed to Burnt Ridge Cemetery. On October 11, 1949, the name of the congregation was changed to “Troy Evangelical Lutheran Church.”

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