The story of the Church of Saint Helga in Royal is a testament to the transformative power of community, faith, and acceptance. Its journey from a humble beginning as a Lutheran church to a beacon of interfaith unity is a unique chapter in the history of Royal.

The Early Years: A Lutheran Foundation (1885-1902)

The year 1885 marked the genesis of the Church of Saint Helga. Founded as a Lutheran church, it held the distinction of being the first and only church in the small community of Royal. Under the guidance of its first pastor, Sven Jorgeson, Saint Helga’s served not only the residents of Royal but also families from the surrounding outlying areas who would gather every Sunday for services.

The church itself was a simple one-room log cabin, reflecting the pioneer spirit of the time. Initially heated by a fireplace, a donated wood stove later provided warmth during the colder months. The religious practices were strictly Lutheran, and those of other denominations who wished to participate were expected to either convert or simply attend the established services.

The Fire and a Period of Transition (1902-1908)

Tragedy struck in 1902 when the original log cabin church was destroyed by fire. This event, however, did not extinguish the community’s desire for spiritual gathering. For the next several years, services were held in an empty storefront located on Main Street, a temporary space that would unknowingly become the crucible for a profound transformation.

During this interim period, the town of Royal began to experience a significant shift in its demographics. It gradually attracted a diverse influx of artists, musicians, philosophers, writers, and actors from across the United States and even the world, evolving into a burgeoning artists’ colony. This new population brought with it a wide spectrum of beliefs, practices, and rituals, encompassing various religious faiths alongside agnosticism and atheism.

This created a unique and potentially volatile situation for the small town. How could a community as intimate as Royal maintain its cohesion amidst such diverse world views? What could have easily devolved into conflict instead blossomed into what many in Royal would later consider one of the most uplifting spiritual miracles in its history.

Rebuilding and Redefining Faith (1908-1909)

Throughout the years of holding services in the storefront, Pastor Sven Jorgeson diligently worked to raise funds for a new church building. His efforts, which included donations, raffles, church dinners, and a remarkable talent for shrewdly investing in emerging local businesses, proved successful. In April 1908, construction began on a new Saint Helga’s. This structure would be built of brick and feature a steeple and bell, a more permanent and prominent place of worship. Yet, in its design, it remained a plain and simple church.

Sadly, Pastor Sven Jorgeson passed away on July 7, 1908, and would not witness the completion of his vision. The new church was finished in September 1908, but the community now faced the challenge of finding a new spiritual leader.

Shortly after the church’s completion, a pivotal community meeting was held to determine its future. Recognizing the town’s newfound diversity, a groundbreaking decision was made: the Church of Saint Helga would become an all-inclusive church. It would stand independent of any specific denomination, embracing all faiths and beliefs. From this resolution emerged the Church of Saint Helga – The Church of Unconditional Love.

To solidify this new direction, a committee was formed, comprising a representative from every religious faith present in Royal. This diverse group embarked on the task of reviewing the practices, ceremonies, holidays, seasons, and aesthetics of all the represented beliefs. After much thoughtful deliberation and prayer, a Mission Statement was drafted and unanimously approved, laying the foundation for the Church of Saint Helga’s unique identity. This was followed by the creation of two more foundational documents: the Core Beliefs and Values of the Church of Saint Helga, and the Ethics and Morality of the Church of Saint Helga. These three documents became, and remain, the cornerstones of the church’s guiding principles.

William Brandenburg, who had served as the chairman of the Church Committee, was elected as the first Pastor of the newly envisioned church. Another committee was established to design the interior of the church, a particularly complex undertaking given the multitude of religious practices to consider. Throughout this period of planning and transformation, church services continued to be held in the familiar empty storefront, with different family members from various faiths taking turns leading the gatherings.

A New Beginning: The Church of Unconditional Love (1909-1949)

Sunday, January 3, 1909, marked a momentous occasion as the first Sunday service was held in the new Church of Saint Helga. The atmosphere was described as filled with an overwhelming sense of love and inclusion. Over the following months, the church services underwent further evolution, and the interior gradually took shape, reflecting the diverse spiritual landscape of the community.

Under the leadership of Pastor Brandenburg, the Church of Saint Helga and the town of Royal lived up to the ideals enshrined in their three core documents. Unconditional love was not merely a Sunday sermon topic but a lived reality, manifesting in acts of mercy and kindness that extended throughout Royal and its surrounding communities. For the next four decades, the church flourished, gaining recognition both nationally and internationally as a unique model of interfaith harmony.

A New Shepherd and a Quiet Closure (1949-1962)

In 1949, after forty years of dedicated service, Pastor Brandenburg retired. The church community began the search for a new spiritual leader. Their search led them to Pastor Dzef. During a family reunion held in Royal in the summer of 1949, Pastor Dzef attended a service at Saint Helga’s. He was deeply moved by the sense of peace and the inclusive nature of the service, where families from different backgrounds actively participated.

Following a conversation with Pastor Brandenburg and the church committee, Pastor Dzef was offered the position of Pastor, which he gratefully accepted and was ordained a few weeks later. Given the church’s financial situation, the position was unpaid, and Pastor Dzef sought employment and lodging within the community. He found a job at a local restaurant called “The Lunch Box Cafe,” working both at the counter and in the kitchen. This provided him with a unique opportunity to connect with families from Royal and neighboring towns. He rented a small apartment above the restaurant, which became the place where he penned his “Epistle to the People of Royal,” further solidifying his connection with the community.

Pastor Dzef remained a guiding presence at Saint Helga’s until the church ultimately closed its doors in 1962. While the reasons for its closure are not explicitly detailed, the legacy of the Church of Saint Helga as a testament to the power of unconditional love and interfaith unity in the face of diversity remains a significant and inspiring part of Royal’s history. The story of Saint Helga’s serves as a poignant reminder of the potential for harmony and understanding when communities embrace inclusivity and prioritize love above all else.