Norwegian pioneer families came to the South Dakota prairies near Madison planning ways to meet their spiritual needs. In the sod house of Lars Johnson on the north shore of Lake Madison, sixteen voting members drew up a temporary constitution and organized the church in September 1878. A permanent constitution was adopted April 5, 1879, affiliating the church with the Norwegian Synod. Built on this site in 1890, Lake Madison Lutheran Church was completed and dedicated in 1898. The congregation honored the pioneers who labored and sacrificed to establish a Christian congregation and all who were concerned for the Christian training of their youth.