Haldor Lillenas (19 November 1885 – 18 August 1959) was a Norwegian-American hymnwriter. Described as "one of the most important twentieth-century gospel hymn writers and publishers"Kenneth W. Osbeck, 25 Most Treasured Gospel Hymn Stories (Kregel Publications, 1998):109., he is regarded as "the most influential Wesleyan / Holiness songwriter and publisher in the 20th century".Keith Schwanz, Satisfied: Women Hymn Writers of the 19th-century Wesleyan/Holiness Movement (Wesleyan/Holiness Women Clergy, Inc, 1998). Additionally, Lillenas was an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene, author, song evangelist, poet, music publisher and prolific hymnwriter, who is estimated to have composed over 4,000 hymns, the most famous being Wonderful Grace of Jesus.Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories (Kregel Publications, 1985):315. In 1931 Lillenas was the producer of Glorious Gospel Songs, the first hymnal for the Church of the Nazarene.McGraw, 7; William Kostlevy and Gari-Anne Patzwald, eds., Historical Dictionary of the Holiness Movement (Scarecrow Press, 2001):161. In 1982 Lillenas was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame."Lillenas Publishing Company", in Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music, ed. W.K. McNeil (Routledge, 2005):232.
Biographical details
Early life Haldor Lillenas was born on 19 November 1885 on Stord Island, near Bergen, Norway, the son of Ole Paulsen Lillenas (born May 1854 in Norway; died 24 July 1926 in Hennepin County, Minnesota),Sometimes seen as Ole Paulson Lillenas, see Biographical Dictionary of Contemporary Poets (1938):297; State File Number: 020839, Certificate Number: 020839, Certificate Year: 1926, Record Number: 462374, Ancestry.com. Minnesota Death Index, 1908-2002 [database on-line]. a farmer and storekeeper, and his wife Anna Marie Lillenas (born March 1851 in Norway; died c. 1906 in Minnesota),Sometimes seen as Anne Marie Lillenas, see Biographical Dictionary of Contemporary Poets (1938):297 and brother of Paul Olson (born 27 March 1879 in Norway; died 18 May 1934 in Hennepin County, Minnesota),Ancestry.com. Minnesota Death Index, 1908-2002, Name: Paul Olson Lillenas Death Date: 18 May 1934 Death County: Hennepin State File Number: 005547 Certificate Number: 005547 Certificate Year: 1934 Record Number: 671338 Johanes O. (born July 1882 in Norway), Katrine G. (born July 1888 in North Dakota), and George M. (born 11 March 1896 in Astoria, Oregon).See Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line], Year: 1900; Census Place: Roseville, Kandiyohi, Minnesota; Roll T623_772 Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 76; Haldor Lillenas, Down Melody Lane (Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1953):5.
The Lillenas family farm comprised of rocky ground, which was sold to allow the family to migrate to the United States. While Anna and her three children lived temporarily in a home south of Bergen, Ole Lillenas migrated from Norway to the United States of America via Canada in 1886, where he bought a farm in Colton, South Dakota.McGraw, 5; 1900 US Census. After Ole finished constructing a sod house, Anna, and the three children were re-united with him in 1887. In 1889 the Lillenas family relocated again to a farm on the Columbia River near Astoria, Oregon.McGraw, 5; Dan Harris, Children's Ministries Connections, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Music Composers Authors & Songs: A Biographical Dictionary, 2nd ed. (1952) While living in Astoria, Lillenas learned English and began to attend school.McGraw, 5. In 1900 the family moved to Roseville Township, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. While in Roseville, Lillenas began attending high school in a Lutheran school at Hawick, Minnesota. At the age of 17, Lillenas began a four-year correspondence course from the International Correspondence Schools in chemistry and chemical analysis with private tutors. Lillenas worked as a farm labourer most of the year, but during winter he concentrated on his studies. About 1906 Anna Marie Lillenas died, and Ole decided to relocate the family to North Dakota, however Lillenas decided to move back to Astoria, Oregon, where he finished his correspondence course and found employment in a chemical factory.
Spiritual experience Like most Scandinavians at that time, Lillenas was raised in a Lutheran family. The Lillenas family were devout in their religious life, and attended community services when held in their area.Hughes. At the age of fifteen Lillenas became a confirmed member of the Lutheran Church in Hawick.Haldor Lillenas, Down Melody Lane (Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 1953):5; "Lillenas Publishing Company", in Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music, ed. By W.K. McNeil (Routledge, 2005):231. However, Lillenas indicated in his autobiography that at that time, he had not experienced "the miracle of the new birth".Melody, 5. As a young boy, Lillenas had been befriended by an elderly woman who taught him English, and told him about Jesus. As a consequence, in 1906 Lillenas began to attend meetings at the Peniel Mission, a holiness rescue mission, in Astoria, OregonBurnis H. Bushong, The Best of the Story: Miraculous Answers to Prayer (World Gospel Mission, 1993):26; Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories: The Inspiring True Stories Behind 101 Favorite Hymns (Kregel, 1985):304-305; GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame. where this woman was an active worker. According to Lillenas in a 1948 interview, it was shortly after the death of his mother, soon after moving to Astoria, one summer evening "he paused to listen to a street corner service. There he heard for the first time the strains of 'Tell Mother I'll Be There'. He made his decision then to devote his life to Christian service." According to McGraw, the "singing and testimonies brought conviction to his heart. Later that year he was saved, and three weeks later his heart was cleansed.McGraw, 6; Charles Edwin Jones, Perfectionist Persuasion: A Social Profile of the National Holiness Movement within American Methodism, 1867-1936 (University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1968):228; Charles Edwin Jones, Perfectionist Persuasion: The Holiness Movement and American Methodism, 1867-1936 (Scarecrow Press, 1974):45. Soon he was "helping in the mission, singing to his heart's content, witnessing with joy to 'the wonderful grace of Jesus', and writing songs with increasing skill and volume."McGraw, 6.
In 1907 Lillenas moved to Portland, Oregon, where he worked with the Peniel Mission located at 247 NW Couch Street. All Peniel Mission workers were unsalaried, but the local mission paid for most of their expenses. Soon after, Lillenas testified that he believed he was called to be a minister of the gospel,Melody, 19. at which time he was appointed leader of the Portland mission. During his year of leadership, "he saw so many souls won to Christ that he felt more certain than ever that he should devote his life to the Lord's work." In 1908 Lillenas became a member of the Portland First Church of the Nazarene, then located at 428 Burnside Street,McGraw, 6; , John L. Adams, Musicians' Autobiographies: An Annotated Bibliography of Writings Available in English, 1800 to 1980 (McFarland, 1982):62. which had been founded on 4 July 1906. Soon after Lillenas enrolled in the ministerial course of studies, which he began by correspondence.Melody, 22. Soon afterward, Lillenas joined a vocal group associated with the Salvation Army called the "Charioteers' Brigade", which held street meetings and revival services throughout a large portion of California.Children's Ministries Connection.
Ministerial preparation As a result of some generous donations, and the efforts of Rev. A.O. Hendricks, pastor of the Portland Church of the Nazarene, in 1909 Lillenas was able to continue his ministerial studies at the Deets Pacific Bible College, an antecedent of Point Loma Nazarene University, located at the corner of San Pedro and East 28th Streets, Los Angeles, California.Ronald Kirkemo, Additionally, Lillenas was able to secure part-time work to finance his studies, but by the end of the year accepted the ministry as the music director of a local church, and was active in songwriting and preaching. During this time Lillenas also studied voice at the Lyric School of Music in Los Angeles.
Marriages and family
Bertha Mae Wilson While at Deets College Lillenas was in a college group that held evangelistic services most weekends.Mallalieu Wilson, 30. On this team was another student, Bertha Mae Wilson (born 1 March 1889 in Hanson, Kentucky; died 13 March 1945 at Tuscumbia, Missouri), the oldest daughter of Rev. William C. Wilson (1866–1915), then pastor of Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene.,Mallalieu Wilson, William C. Wilson: The Fifth General Superintendent (Kansas City, MO: Nazarene, 1995):30; McGraw, 6. but later a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene. Lillenas and Bertha Mae both preached, sang, and wrote songs, and often practised in the home of her father.Wilson, 30; McGraw, 6. In his autobiography Lilenas recalled: "We soon learned that our voices blended well and so we arranged it that our lives should also be blended."Melody, 24. On 4 October 1910 Lillenas married Bertha Mae. Bertha Mae was later an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene and composer.Music Composers, Authors & Songs Dictionary. They had two children: Evangeline Mae (born 27 November 1911 in Santa Barbara, California) On 7 March 1931 at Marietta, Oklahoma Evangeline eloped and married Reginald Stille Williams (born 19 February 1910; died 12 January 1986 in Marion, Oregon), son of a Nazarene general superintendent Roy T. Williams, see The Brief: Phi Delta Phi quarterly 49 (Phi Delta Phi, 1953):6-7; Who's Who in the West. 18th ed., 1982-1983. (Wilmette, IL: Marquis Who's Who, 1982). (WhoWest 18); Who's Who in American Law. 2nd ed. (Wilmette, IL: Marquis Who's Who, 1979). (WhoAmL 2). Ancestry.com. Oregon Death Index, 1903-98 [database on-line]. Williams, Reginald S: County: Marion, Death Date: 12 Jan 1986, Certificate: 86-01030, Age: 75, Birth Date: 19 Feb 1910, Spouse: Janice. Evangeline and Reginald had two children, including Tatia Lynn (born 2 August 1933 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) (Mrs. Warren A. Woodruff), now of Roseburg, Oregon, and Randolph Stuart (born 17 September 1944 in Houston, Texas), see Charles William Taylor, Eminent Judges and Lawyers of the Northwest, 1843-1955 (C.W. Taylor, Jr., 1954). and Wendell Haldor (born 14 April 1915 in Illinois; died 1967 in Bethany, Oklahoma). Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration. Source Citation: Number: 495-09-9784;Issue State: Missouri;Issue Date: Before 1951; The International Who is Who in Music (Who is Who in Music, Inc., 1951):277.
Lola Dell After the death of Bertha from cancer in March 1945, Lillenas married Lola Dell (born 23 March 1894 in Kansas; died October 1974 in Kansas) later that year.
Later years In the depths of the Great Depression, 1938, the Lillenas family purchased a rural acreage in the Miller County, Missouri hills of The Ozarks, halfway between Tuscumbia and Iberia on Missouri Route 17, about southwest of Jefferson City. Here they constructed their home, which they called "Melody Lane". It was here that Bertha Mae died of cancer in March 1945, and where Lillenas and his second wife, Lola, lived until they relocated to Pasadena, California by 1955. When they lived at Melody Lane, Lillenas was an active member of the Iberia Church of the Nazarene, where there is now a memorial stained glass window in his honor.