Construction of the church at 521 Fourth St. began in 1867 and the dedication of the building took place on February 14th, 1869. It was a rectangular building with a steeple and entrance on the north end and the pulpit on the south.
This church became a center of activity. During these years, there was much competition, especially between the Lutherans, Methodists and the Moravians, for Scandinavian members. Rev. Iverson became very upset when pastors of these groups would proselytize the members of his congregation in order to convert them.
Some members were lost this way and attendance slowly declined during the 1870s. Older people in the congregation were also dying and it did not seem that younger people were being found to fill the pews. A depression also caused people to leave the area to find work.
From 1871 to 1878 the membership at Fort Howard varied from 96 in 1878 to 67 in 1878. At this point in time the financial situation became so bad that the congregation tried to sell two lots given to them by Mrs. Tank but no buyers could be found. The Home Mission Society had been helping the congregation minimally by giving it a little financial support, but in 1879 it discontinued help due to a Provincial Synod directive which stated that all missions that gave little indication of attaining self support in the near future should be dropped.
Pastor Iverson and members of the congregation did not give up. The whole program of the church was maintained, including prayer meetings, services and classes. Services were attended faithfully and everyone gave as much as they could to help meet the budget. Rev. Iverson went on a solicitation tour and received $52 from congregations in Watertown, Lake Mills, North Salem and Freedom.
In 1879 there was an increase in membership to 30 communicant members, 11 non-communicants and 41 children. Because the congregation was increasing, the Home Mission Society re-enrolled it in the spring of 1880 and sent $76 so the church could be painted and replastered. At the end of 1881, the membership increased to 43 communicant members, 21 non-communicant and 51 children.
