Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Every year, the faithful return for Highland picnic



Highland Lutheran Church delivered its last service more
than 55 years ago, when it closed in 1946, six miles north of Howard Lake
on Wright County Road 7.

This doesn’t stop about 50 faithful former Highlanders
from attending an annual picnic every year, the second week in June.

This year, the picnic and a “fun auction” was
enjoyed by a nice crowd June 10, said former Highlander Harriet Zander.

“There was much conversation with old friends, with
a few new ones being made,” commented another former Highland resident,
Burt Kreitlow.

“The food was great, but fellows like me remember
when we were kids and the Highland ladies topped all the pie makers in the
county,” Kreitlow said. “It was not unusual for teenage boys
to have at least 10 pieces,” he said.

Kreitlow gives short stories during the picnics, which
included a story about Pastor Sand who served Highland church and Mt. Hermon
for many years. Mt. Hermon continues to exist an active congregation.

The Highland church has been painted and repaired since
and remains as an historic site, Kreitlow said.

Originally, it was part of the Augustana Synod, which eventually
joined the ELCA, Zander said.

A monument was erected by the descendants of the Swedish
immigrants that erected the church, at the edge of the cemetery.

The marker reads: “1891. On this site, the Highland
Lutheran Church was built by Swedish immigrants. 1991. This memorial is
dedicated in their honor by their descendants.”

Proceeds from the auction are used for upkeep of the cemetery,
Zander said. “There continues to be burials every year and presently
many lots have been purchased,” Zander commented.

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