Snaasen Lutheran Church celebrated its centennial anniversary on July 13 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Estevan.

With Clifford Finstad's leadership, a special service and program was arranged. Pastor Kathie Schmitke presided over the service.

Greetings and messages were presented by Rev. Heather Anderson, dean of the Weyburn Conference. Greetings were also sent from national Bishop Raymond Schultz and Saskatchewan Synod Bishop Cindy Halmarson.

Edna hildahl delivered an outlined history of the Snaasen congregation, which was implemented in 1903 and became a registered congregation in 1904.

A few historical facts:

The first pastor was Rev. O.B. Sanders in 1905 and the last one was A.W. Erickson in 1956. In that year Snaasen joined Trinity in Estevan.

Norwegian was the only language used for some time at Snaasen, then eventually only English.

The first bell ringing was for Gilbert Flattum's funeral in 1920. The last burial, to date, was Lillian (Larson) Densley in 2002.

The first one baptized in the Snaasen building was Evelyn (Brovold) Coxford and the last one was Valerie Hildahl. However, the last one baptized in the still existing congregation at that time was Dennis Sandstrom, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Hildahl.

Those in attendance enjoyed singing, special music by guests Vinola Anderson and Heather Ross, as well as instrumental and vocal numbers by Vinola, Heather, Nora Ross, Edna Hildahl, Harvey and Vivian Hildahl, Wilma Bjorndalenand Dalton Knox. Later, at social time, the group sang one song in Norwegian.

Pastor Schmitke dedicated the sanctuary lamp and oak tree, these being memorials of Snaasen to Trinity.

The benediction and a congregational hymn closed the service. This was followed by enjoying coffee and special Snaasen Birthday cake which had been arranged for by Myrtle Finstad. This took place in the Social Hall.

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