Pastor Ellestad called a Minister to serve this new congregation. At this meeting, Oliver Kjorlien (3 weeks old) was baptized; the first baptism in the congregation. Also Mr. T.T. Jevne donated an acre of land for the church site. That land is the present site of the Vang cemetery.

The first Church Board elected were:

The first services for the new Vang congregation were held in homes and schoolhouses. The first confirmation class was held in the T.R. Jevne home.
The first confirmation class was:

With the meagre sum of $187.50 and donations of hardware, lumber and labour, work started. The Church site was cleared, surveyed and fenced. Work on the new building began with Erik Skjel Sr. as foreman. T.R. Jevne had a sawmill on the south shore of Crooked Lake and the the lumber for the Church was sawn there. T.R. and his son Thorvald Jevne hauled the first load of lumber to the Church site.
The Vang Ladies Aid was organized in 1900 and the womens' "Busy Bees" raised money for the Church bell.
With everyone's help the new Church was completed and opened in 1905.

The name "Vang" was chosen as an expression of sentiment and yearning for home of the founding members - Vang, Valdres, Norway. (Click here for some information about Vang, Norway)

Rev. Satre built the first pulpit and donated the organ. Christopher Bakken donated a beautiful altar painting. Mrs. T.T. Jevne organized the choir, which she conducted for many years.

The first ever Congregational Meeting was held at the home of Thomas Dahl with Pastor Wik as Chairman.

Andrew Weflin was the first burial in the Vang Cemetery in 1900.

Until 1922 the services were conducted in Norwegian. After that they were conducted in English. Much credit over these years must go to the Ladies Aid for the upkeep of our church, painting and cleaning both inside and outside.

In the spring of 1931 the first Vang Church building burned down when a grass fire got under it during spring cleanup. But the spirit or 1899 was with our people, and within only six months a new church (the present one) was completed across the road. A new bell was donated by T.T. Jevne. The original bell was damaged beyond repair when it fell from the steeple during the fire. It was lain out of view in the trees nearby for a number of years and then was cleaned, painted and moved to the Vang Cemetery where it now holds sentinel over all who rest there.

In 1936 a parsonage for our ministers was purchased jointly with the Bethel congregation in Wetaskiwin. The minister then served both of the congregations.

Jenny Jevne was organist and choir leader from 1910 until 1922.

Carl Jevne then took over as choir conductor (1922 - 1953) and also spent many years as band leader (1924 - 1937). Ann Schneck served as choir conductor after Carl Jevne passed away. She was followed by Freeman Jevne.

In 1966, a fire broke out inside the second (present) church and badly damaged the interior. The building was saved though thanks to Neil Nelson who noticed the smoke while driving by, and promptly alerted a neighbor who called the fire department.
It was decided to rebuild. With much good will and co-operation the Vang community joined hands to restore the Church and make it what it is today.

During the rebuilding of Vang, our sister congregation, Bethel opened her doors to Vang, enabling us to worship there and make use of their facilities for choir practice. For their kindness we are very thankful. (Bethel later changed their name and today are known as Grace Lutheran Church in Wetaskiwin)

Winston Jordan and his daughters, Virginia and Patty Jo, were very active in directing and playing for the choir at this time.

During the years we have celebrated many anniversaries for our Church, including the 100th anniversary in 1999. We have had many special events and programs with a strong turnout from the community for these occasions.

May the Lord continue to bless our church and community as we seek to carry out his will in our lives and in the entire community.

Through 2007, Vang Church has operating for 108 years, has held 390 baptisms, 375 confirmations, 208 funerals and 170 weddings. 27 Pastors to date have served our great little Church.