The present church, constructed of quarried limestone, was begun in 1869 and completed in 1870. Most of the stone was dug out of the hills of nearby farms, but some of the largest blocks were hauled from Nordness. The architect was Jens Olsen Kaasa of Chicago. The church was dedicated on Dec. 17, 1873.

At the time the Stavanger stone church was constructed, the congregation consisted of 60 to 70 families. The cost was $8,000. The dedication ceremony was conducted by Prof. Laur. Larsen who preached on John 17, 17. The Rev. Nils Brandt also spoke. Other pastors present included the Revs. U. V. Koren, H. A. Stub, O. J. Hjort, T. Larsen, E. Wulfsberg and J. G. T. Moses. An offering of $112 was collected at the service.

The first confirmation ceremony was held in 1874. The members of this class were: Anfin Anfinson, Anna Fosaaen, Anna O. Huglen (Lommen), Amund Kloster, Toris Saboe, Helge M. Torkelson, Berta M. Helgerson (Anfinson), Hansine 0. Brekke (Olson) Eli O. Kloster Hegraness, Eli A. Nerhus, Johan Kaasa, Syvert Skartvedt and Johannes C. Saboe. In preparing for confirmation, the class met with Rev. Koren at Calmar, traveling on foot or, at best, with horses when sharing rides, and often staying overnight with friends during the journey.

The first marriage solemnized in the stone church was on March 3, 1873 when Miss Inger Kvale was united with Anders A. Kloster. Two of their children still reside in the community (1950). They are Elmer Kloster and Mrs. Joseph Stangland.

The first Ladies Aid was organized on Jan. 19, 1887 at a meeting held in the Ole Halverson home with Mrs. Sagen as leader. At this time the Rev. Sagen was the assist, pastor. Later the Ladies Aid was divided into three groups, namely the North, the South and the East. The first meeting of the South Ladies Aid was held at the A. C. Saboe home in Sept, of 1894, with Mrs. Saboe serving as its first president. The groups have now again been united into one Aid.

A reading circle or "Leseforening" was organized in 1892 with O. T. Lommen as president. This existed for several years. When Rev. Askevold left in 1912, he gave a large number of books to the church library. In recent years the Luther League has added books through the reading project.

A young Peoples Society was organized by the Rev. Kr. Kvamme in 1912 and was active for a number of years. The present Luther League, however, was started in 1928 with Liv Kvamme (Olson) as its first president, followed by Mildred Rogness, Olava Hammersland, Irvin Fosaaen, Sylvia Rogness (Peterson), Ruben Rogness and Mrs. Albert Quass. The league has always been very active and true to its goal of "Winning and holding young people for Christ."

On June 12, 1912, a meeting was held at the Peter Wolfs home for the purpose of organizing a Dorcas Society. Minnie Teslow (Mrs. A. J. Nesvik), a parochial teacher in the community, was the organizer and first president. It was decided to raise money for a pipe organ. This goal was reached and, after electricity had become available, the organ was dedicated on May 4th of 1941.

The first organist was Carrie Hendrickson (Nereson), followed by Marie Hendrickson (Oien), Cora Tinderholt, Tillie Aanas (Hawkins), Helen Aanas (Olson), Anna Wolfs (Fosaaen), Alma Moen (lofte), Henrietta Rogness (Storvick), and Mabel Johnson (Nesvik), the congregation's present organist (1950).

There was an early interest in choral music. Some of the choir directors from early years till the present day (1950) were: Lars Quass, Henrik Larsen, Henrik Kloster, Henry Hendrickson, Carrie Hendrickson (Nereson), Minnie Teslow (Nesvik), Rev. Magelssen, Norman Harstad, Wm. McEnelly, Winnifred Murray, Alfred Amundson, Mrs. B. C. Nesvik and Marie Hendrickson.

Records of the Little Iowa congregations show that from the earliest beginning the members were much concerned about getting Christian instruction for the children. Parochial school teachers were secured, sometimes from within the congregation, sometimes from without. Of these instructors, Isaac Johnson (Roinestol) served the longest—approximately 50 years.

A Sunday School was in existence for several years in the early 1890s. Its leader was George Lane who also served as a parochial school teacher. Mr. Lane