The church revels in its history and sense of place. Although the church’s mailing address is Wahoo, Nebraska – because that is where its Post Office is located – the website makes very clear that “we’re really in the quaint little village of Swedeburg NE.”
Anyone needing directions will learn from the website instructions that “We’re on old HWY 77 as the old-timers say . . . we are on what they call CR 17 now . . .” A caption under a photo of the church reads, “Our NEW FACILITY constructed in 1909.”
Another section asks visitors to “Click below for a printable, easy-to-use map. Our map is being made by Lewis & Clark’s great-grandkids. Please be patient – they went fishing today.”
In describing itself, the congregation says, “We have the very young & some older folks; families & singles; farmers & business types; students & teachers – even the occasional barrister, peddler & sawbones (kids, ask your grandmother), a real true cross-section of small town America.”
The website even provides a little tourism promotion, noting that there is “FREE PARKING” (there are no parking meters in Swedeburg).
The ministry of the small-town church often can be overlooked, but the Swedeburg church notes that it has had a global impact, sending ministers around the world.
Missionaries from within the congregation include Rev. and Mrs. C.J. Nelson (China), and Alpha Almquist Anderson and Dr. Arden Almquist (Congo). A handful of other children from the church eventually served in Covenant ministry, including C. J. Youngren, Edmund Carlson, Ernest Anderson and Lyle Person.” Brian Carlson served as a short-term missionary in Thailand.
