In true keeping with the New Testament pattern, Emmanuel Baptist Church of Mora, Minnesota, came into existence. Vision, daring, and a persevering faith joined hands to bring a Bible-Believing Baptist witness to Mora. Reverend H. E. Johnson was able to see the potential of Mora as being one of the small Minnesota villages which would continue to grow, although slowly, and to emerge with a strong community consciousness which would eventually draw businesses and home seekers to our town. A firm and strong conviction in the being and power of God caused this man of faith to seek to establish a Baptist work in Mora some forty years ago. A vision of God and people combined to make this an active ambition. This vision became such a strong motivating power that there was apparently nothing that would stop him from making this a reality. There was no parsonage, no property for a church building, only a very small nucleus to begin working with, and the promise of monetary returns was almost non-existent.

The Emmanuel Baptist Church of Mora, Minnesota, was organized in October, 1937, at a meeting held in a creamery hall in Mora. The organization was composed of thirty-five charter members listed below, the first thirteen having been members of the Knife Lake Baptist Church, a church in a rural area which had been organized on July 17, 1908. This church was dismantled and the material used in the first church building in Mora.

Axel Salmonson Gladys Salmonson Mrs. Andrew Salmonson Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Peterson Mrs. Marie Salmonson Goodwin Burke Mr. and Mrs. Chester Salmonson Mr. and Mrs. George Salmonson Mr. and Mrs. Victor Skogman Mrs. Axel Anderson r~rs. 01 e Aasum Mrs. C. E. Carlson Mrs. Herman Rolf

Florence Carlson Mr. and Mrs. Harold Carlson Mrs. Ed Forsberg Rev. and Mrs. H. E. Johnson Robert Johnson Mr. & Mrs. Hilmer Johnson Mrs. 01 e Larson Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Lovaas Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lindhart Carol Lindhart Mr. and Mrs. Oran Phelps Mrs. Herman Sp1ittgerber

Church services were first held in Dresser1s Chapel as well as in the various homes of the membership until the fall of 1938 when the basement of our first church building was completed. Rev. H. E. Johnson was the first pastor of the church and served in that capacity from the time of its organization in 1937 until 1943.

The securing of the present church property has in it a share of humor, but who would deny that the Lord was in it? Pastor Johnson was driving through the village and his 1928 Chevrolet ran out of gasoline right in front of the present church property. In no way was Pastor Johnson daunted; he took this to be God’s sign. He is reported to have said “All right, Lord, if this is where you want us to be, we will accept the cha11enge.”

As was common in the beginning of many new works of a few years ago this pastor approached various individuals in the community asking for their support for the new work. It was by this means that the $600.00 needed for the property WQS secured. This was however only the beginning of many hours of prayer and sacrificial work on the part of the pastor and the interested few who worked long hours to bring into being what is known as the Emmanuel Baptist Church. It is thus with grateful hearts that we acknowledge the contribution of this man and the many others who worked untiringly that we might have a place to worship.