about

The Fox River Valley was settled in the early 1800s by Norwegian immigrants, many of whom had experienced the revivals which had swept across Scandinavia. The congregations organized in the Fox River Valley were deeply influenced by the followers of Hans Nielsen Hauge and his emphasis on personal salvation and sanctification.

The first Norwegian Lutheran pastor to preach in Newark was Elling Eielsen and Newark Lutheran Church was officially organized in 1885. Throughout its history the congregation has held to a high view of the authority of Scripture, which ultimately led to its withdrawal from the American Lutheran Church in 1988. The congregation has been affiliated with the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations since 1997. This affiliation has been a great blessing, given the Association’s zeal for the Word and also the fellowship of five other AFLC congregations with fifteen miles of Newark.