West Franklin Ramblings: Keep the Faith, Brethren

By: 
Pamela Warwick

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

     Rural folk are notorious for their deep faith roots and determined stoicism in the rugged face of hardship. And the rich tap roots and inspiring tales of Coulter’s early Danish history rank right up there with the “by faith” chronicles of The Good Book’s chapter 11 in one of my favorite books: Hebrews.

     With this verse in mind, humor me as I remind us of a mere few of those “by faith” moments over the last century-plus that have nourished the sustaining humus of Coulter today. For from this lush heritage and soil, seeds of kindness have been sown. Even righteous harvests have blessed our souls. From birth to death to birth again – generations of good works lay behind us and, by grace, even more remain before. Therefore…

     “By faith” Danish pastor, Niels Petersen from a Norwegian Synod, began the first church-work in Franklin County just south and east of me. Shortly after, Rev. A.L. Nielsen and Rev. J. Jensen Mylund continued to till the groundwork of faith that later led to the formation of two Lutheran congregations in 1873. Both “East” and “West” Lutheran churches were started at that date.

     “By faith”  during June of 1878, St. John’s Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized. A rich county-wide heritage connects this church to the treasure that is Hampton’s Historic Danish Farm. A faithful congregation remains vibrant at St. John’s, and boasts a rich tradition of becoming the first congregation to welcome great leaders from the Old Country.

     One such Danish leader in early American rural education, Jens Dixen, later of North Dakota and current Elk Horn Danish Immigrant Museum fame, was among those late 19th Century Danes to arrive to worship in the arms of St. John’s warm congregation. His father remains buried in their cemetery to this day. “By faith” Jens housed and educated many boys during his lifetime in America.

     “By faith” the Chicago Great Western Railroad announced, and it was reported in the Latimer Star in July of 1901, that “The Great Western has decided on putting a town on their new road immediately two miles south of  Latimer. The name of the new town will be Colter.”

     “By faith” Coulter was established in 1901 and a cement factory was immediately built to create new homes within city limits. The only house left standing with cement blocks from that original business sits just south of Larry and Carol Erickson’s home on Grant Street.

     “By faith” men and women built buildings and businesses to serve the new community members. From black smithies to doctors, dentists to barbers, grain salesmen, grocers, gas station and hardware store managers have blessed our midst over generations. Though along the rugged path of rural decline that so many surrounding communities understand too well, many of those Main Street stand-bys are mere fond memories these days.

     “By faith” soon after the turn of the 20th Century, the parents of Myrtle Hansen and Henry Sorensen moved their two-story home from Latimer into the up-and-coming “railroad boom town” of Coulter. According to Henry’s later account, during the move the weather turned to rain. Due to muddy roads the transit took two full weeks to complete…while the family lived in the house the entire way! That house still sits in front of the Coulter City Cemetery, having once been the home of Glenn, and son Donald, Weinburger.

     “By faith” schools, community and city halls, fire stations and libraries have served, educated, saved and inspired our residents.

     “By faith” and in the face of harsh changes in agri-culture, citizens have married and moved into our homes, and given birth to children and city-wide dreams to keep the hope of a loving and caring community alive.

     “By faith” and a sense of honor, Coulter’s cemetery has undergone vast improvements due to a wide array of dedicated leaders. From creating an easier way for loved ones to locate their dear deceased; removing the plethora of storm damaged trees and restoring gouged grounds to committing to the ultimate symbol of hope…planting trees for the future; to acquiring and plotting new burial spaces for a long future tomorrow – this cemetery is positioned to serve those who have loved and do love this little berg well.

     “By faith” fields for summer ball, disc golf and soccer tournaments pepper our lovely city park.

     “By faith” a new trailhead is blossoming to welcome the four-seasons Rolling Prairie Trail. It is a growing blessing and tourism opportunity in this county, limited only by our collective imaginations.

     “By faith” our citizens cling to the belief that our community, though small, can be beautiful and caring and viable. Sometimes that has meant taking on extra duties, organizational efforts and additional volunteer work administered in tough love, but with the hopes that our generous spirits and unflagging friendship will prevail in Christian love. A wee bit of behavioral modification, if you will. As our Good Shepherd and faithful Father to the errant lamb and prodigal son has so led by example before us, it has been deeply heartwarming to welcome forgiving arms and feast together once again as reconciled neighbors. But for the grace of God and each other, life’s sometimes cruel challenges would wash us all out to an overwhelming sea of hopelessness, too.

     And so now as well, “by faith” we must let our goodness rally and rise up when old notions, rooted in historic grudges, rear their ancient heads. We must remember to be faithful in well-doing and not fall back into the weariness of the resistance and rebuttals we have sustained. Remember our blessed past and the passionate prayers that have delivered us, by God’s mercy, to today’s hopes and dreams of living in peace and harmony together.

     Dear friends in Coulter and in any rural community that may feel overwhelmed by so many unsettling changes – rally in faith that consistent caring vigilance – accompanied by generosity of possession and spirit – will overcome misconceptions and unbelief.

     And always remember, “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.”

Hampton Chronicle

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