Bernadotte Lutheran Church was organized on 4 May 1866 at the home of Magnus Peterson by Swedish settlers under Pastor John Pehrson, with 21 charter families, and it had grown to 104 families by 1870. The first worship services were held in homes and in school-house No. 26. The first church was built by Fredrick Webster in 1872 during the pastorate of C. M. Ryden, and the present sanctuary dates to 1897 during the pastorate of N. O. Grunden. The name Bernadotte is of French origin and refers to King Charles XIV and the ruling house in Sweden since 1810. Count and Countess Folke Bernadotte visited here in 1933, and the centennial was observed throughout 1966.