The Evangelical Free Church of America, incorporated under the name "North Dakota Missionary Association," began its work in Devils Lake in 1910. The first missionary, Reverend Christ Myrdal, was sent to us from the church's seminary in Rushford, MN to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to a bustling prairie town that needed to hear it.

Not long thereafter, the Reverend Josephson from Litchville, ND came to town and with a full understanding that no matter where Christians gathered, God is present. He had no hesitation to hold services in the Norwegian language in the most unlikely spots-such as a Chinese laundry! Other missionaries followed and in 1912 several held tent meetings in our community.

Because of the spiritual groundwork laid by these men and the dedication they brought with them, interest in the church grew. Organizational meetings were held and on October 24, 1913 our church received formal Articles of Incorporation. The first pastor called to Devils Lake church was Reverend T.T. Hanson. The first step in meeting the need for a permanent place of worship was taken when Matt Lee gifted land to the church for a building at 723 2nd Street. The stones were hauled from the lake shore to make a structure sturdy enough to support the walls of a church, which would still be providing a place for worship 75 years later. The building remained a basement church until 1923 when, under leadership of Reverend R. Berntson, the superstructure was completed. Mostly members and friends accomplished this building program: some having to work 12 hours a day at their jobs for six days a week. These were labors of love as were all responsibilities taken on by the first members including the chilling task of rising at 3:00 a.m. to fire up the furnace.

Strength for each day in service to the Lord was found by these forerunners in the knowledge they were planting the seeds in response to God's command that the Gospel be told and those who did not know Him be brought into Fellowship. Because of their early work, the church has seen many souls added to the Kingdom of Christ over the years.