American Lutheran Church (Baker, Montana)

The first Lutheran services conducted in Baker were held in the home of Mrs. John Gunderson in 1910, with services being conducted in both Norwegian and English by Rev. Eidsvig of Bowman, North Dakota.

In 1916, Baker, Willard, Olie and Carlyle (two communities north of Baker) were organized as a Home Mission of the NLCA and were served out of Baker. A number of pastors served these congregations until 1928 when the Baker and Willard congregations merged to form one congregation bid on a public school building, and this was purchased at the auction for $1951.

In 1930, the congregation began a food concession at the Fallon County Fair which continues to the present. The 1950s saw a period of growth for the community and increased activity in the surrounding oil fields. The congregation outgrew their facilities and a new building was erected and dedicated March 1, 1959. A major building project was begun in the 1970s and completed in 1984 with additions to the physical plant.

From the guide to the American Lutheran Church, Baker, Montana, Records, 1928-2012, (Pacific Lutheran University)