Early Norse pioneers, recognizing the need for a house of worship, built the first Norwegian Lutheran Church in western Dane County from logs during the winter of 1851-52. The first services were held on May 27, 1852, by the Rev. A.C. Preus. Earlier itinerant pastors included C. Clausen, E Eielson, and J.W.C. Dietrichson. Beginning in 1854, resident pastors were P.A. Rasmussen, J.N. Fjeld, P.J. Solberg, and Knudt Hageseth, who conducted the last services in 1887 before the congregation moved into a new church.