Nebraska Historic Sites

• First Baptist Church, Oakland, NE
• Eagle Heights Church, Omaha, NE
• Stromsberg Baptist Church, Stromsberg, NE
• Central Bible Seminary, Stromsberg, NE

Historic Churches

First Baptist Church of Oakland, NE

Historic Significance:
Victor Carlson and John P. Anderson, Swede Baptists from Moline IL moved into the Logan Valley in 1867. They were soon followed by others of similar persuasion and in June of 1869 the church was organized. A church building was erected in 1880 which was replaced by the current building in 1919.

Directions:
Take state hwy 75 north out of Omaha. About 34 miles north, turn left ( west) on county 32. Oakland is 14 miles west at the junction of 32 and state hwy 77.

Eagle Heights Church, Omaha, NE

Stromsberg Baptist Church, Stromsberg, NE

Educational Sites

Central Bible Seminary, Stromsberg, NE

Historic Significance: 
An offer of 40 acres of land and a debt free building in Stromsberg, NE convinced the Board to recommend relocation in the summer of 1885. The seminary re-named itself the Central Bible Seminary. The years in Stromsberg were turbulent ones for the Seminary. Edgren and Pastor Ekman fought over the issue of atonement. The church split with Edgren leading 52 members to form a new “regular” Baptist Church. Edgren’s health failed and he submitted his resignation from the seminary in the summer of 1887. Edgren’s resignation and a declining student body led the Board to begin negotiations with the Baptist Union Theological Seminary for a return to Morgan Park, IL. Eric Sandell served as acting administrator in the last year in Stromsberg and in the return to Chicago.

Address and Directions:
There still is a Seminary Street in Stromsberg, NE where the seminary once stood. Take Highway 81 north from Interstate 80 at York, NE. Stromsberg is about 18 miles north. Go East on 4^th St. about 5 blocks East to Seminary Street. The seminary building used to stand on the Southwest corner of 4^th and Seminary. The building became a children’s home after the seminary left. Eventually the building burned down.

Current Use:   A private home and a large vacant lot now exist on the seminary site.