A Deeper Look: Lane County


Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise. Isaiah 60:18

If we were driving Highway 101 down the 300 miles of Oregon coast, after leaving Lincoln County we would enter a narrow strip of Lane County. The Southern Oregon Coast is said to be from Coos Bay to the California border, or Brookings, so Lane County is roughly the middle coastal area of Oregon. Lane County is also – and primarily - the southern portion of the Willamette Valley and contains the population center of Eugene as well as the University of Oregon. Eugene is usually ranked third largest city in the state behind Portland and Salem.

Lane County

Lane County, and especially Eugene, is known for supporting arts and creativity. Education has long been a high priority with the establishment of the U of O in 1876. Progressive and innovative ideas have flourished in this area of Oregon with a college established before the Civil War and more than one Bible college founded, including Northwest Christian College.

In 1902 a real estate developer, Anders Christian Nielson, divided 1600 acres near Junction City in Lane County and sold them to Danish folks in the Midwest. The Danish settlement he started in Junction City continues to influence the city culture. About 20% of the Junction City population currently is Scandinavian. In 1961, after the completion of I-5 routed traffic away from Highway 99, which passes through Junction City, the town started a Scandinavian Festival to attract visitors. They expected 4,000 visitors that first year and 10,000 came. The annual festival is still going strong.

Nielson also helped establish Faith Lutheran Church, still active in Junction City. Until the 1950’s they held services in Danish.

NFS Grundtveg was a famous Danish theologian, writer, hymnwriter and educator. The son of a Lutheran pastor, he took issue with the church of his day which resulted in a movement within the Danish Lutheran church. His followers were unofficially called “Happy Danes.” He also developed and established schools of continuing education called Folk High Schools that became popular in Scandinavia and other countries by the early 20th century. Nielson, the Junction City developer, had lived in Iowa and attended a congregation pastored by Grundtveg’s son, Frederik. When he helped start Faith Lutheran Church, (of the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,) in Junction City it was the first (and only) “Happy Dane” congregation in Oregon. He also attempted a Folk High School but was unable to get it established.

Lane County has a five-member Board of Commissioners. Currently they are: Jay Bozievich, Pat Farr, Joe Berney, Laurie Trieger, and Heather Buch. The Sheriff’s Office has a staff of 300 to cover the 4600 square miles of Lane County – nearly the size of Connecticut. The Sheriff is Clifton G. Harrold.

How do we pray for Lane County?

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

Pray for the schools, colleges and universities. They are powerful influencers over the whole state.

Pray concerning suicide and assisted suicide in Lane County. According to kval.com news, Lane County’s suicide rate is 40% higher than the rest of the country. 

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