House constructed near YMCA in Fergus Falls

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

This past year 25 churches in Otter Tail County helped build a Habitat for Humanity house northeast of the Fergus Falls YMCA. Church involvement included 132 volunteers, 792 volunteer hours, 21 meals provided and $59,839 raised by the churches toward materials for the house.

“Wow, what a force, the faith community,” said Paul Shol, Habitat for Humanity Faith Build coordinator.

Studs were delivered to the county churches prior to construction. Congregants signed the studs with names and messages of blessings, prayers, scriptures and words of encouragement.  

Stavanger Church east of Elizabeth and Federated Church of Fergus Falls kicked off the Faith Build in late June 2023. They helped do the exterior framing with productive days and good fellowship. Other church work groups quickly joined in, through July and August and into the fall.

Outdoor work also included soffit installation and other projects. The underside of overhangs, when given a finished appearance, is known as the soffit which means “something fixed underneath.” Indoor work included positioning of sheetrock and other projects.

The Grace Lutheran Church of Erhard team was happy to participate. 

“We learned some new building techniques and enjoyed fellowship with church members, outside of the church proper, and made a contribution towards the building of a Faith Build home,” said Jim Klitzke of Grace Lutheran. “Many of us are looking forward to another build.” 

Those sentiments are echoed by the Rev. Dr. Ed Morgan who serves on the local Habitat for Humanity Funds Development Committee and who formerly served on the Habitat Board of Directors. 

The Rev. Morgan, before his retirement, served Federated Church in Fergus Falls. He recently has served Maine Presbyterian Church north of Phelps Mill which had a Habitat work team in 2023.

“These church groups answered the call to love their neighbors as Jesus taught,” Shol said. “They wanted to make a difference in the community while seeking a social environment with good fellowship, having the feeling of ‘getting something done’ and learning and practicing home construction techniques.”

Shol hopes that each church will use the Faith Build experience to grow even further. 

“A pebble creates many ripples,” he said. “Participants had eye-opening experiences and refreshing spirit-filled work sessions.”

Construction is at the finishing stages (trim work, cabinets, etc.) and the family will be moving into the house near the Fergus Falls YMCA on Feb. 24.

Participating churches included Bethlehem Lutheran, Maine Presbyterian, St. James Episcopal, Lawrence Presbyterian, Our Savior’s – Ten Mile Lake Lutheran of Dalton, Good Shepherd, Calvary Free Lutheran, Federated Church, First Lutheran of Fergus Falls, The Naz (Church of the Nazarene), Grace United Methodist, Sverdrup Church, Stavanger Church, Zion Lutheran Church of Amor, Augustana Lutheran, Trinity Lutheran, Hope Lutheran, OLV, UCU, Bethel, First Presbyterian Church of Ashby, Faith Lutheran, First Lutheran of Battle Lake, Crossroads and Grace Lutheran Church of Erhard.