Angels mark the grave of Vietnam War veteran, Mark J. Doyle in the Scandinavian Cemetery in Bloomer, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Sumwalt)
Special to United Methodist Insight | June 18, 2026
It was a joy to share in the 160th anniversary celebration of the Scandinavian Prairie Church on a perfect summer Sunday in June. This historic rural chapel, located southeast of Bloomer, Wisconsin, is also known historically as the Scandinavian Lutheran Church.
The congregation was founded in 1866 and the building was constructed in 1876. It no longer functions as an active parish. The adjacent cemetery and the chapel are maintained by the Scandinavian Prairie Cemetery Association. The association holds an annual memorial service on the first Sunday in June.
The cemetery Board of Trustees invited me to be the guest speaker on the recommendation of Becky and Nate Splett. I wrote an article last year about Becky’s late father, Bloomers legendary Ag teacher and FFA advisor, Raymond Miller.
Over 150 souls packed the pews on the main floor and in the balcony; many sat in the tent outside and listened to the service through the open windows. A choir sang “The Church in the Wildwood” and “Beautiful Savior” to start the service. The old church bell was rung as the American and Christian flags were carried down the aisle. We recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
A banner over the pulpit proclaimed in Norwegian, “Whoever Hears You, Hears Me.”
Becky Splett plays the antique pump organ at Scandinavian Prairie Church in Bloomer, Wis. (Photo by John Sumwalt)
It was a treat to hear Becky Splett play the antique pump organ. Nate Splett read the scriptures. Taps was played after the benediction and the church bell sounded out again from the steeple. The barbecued chicken, potato salad and poppy seed cake at the picnic were as good as the Scandinavian ancestors used to make.
People responded enthusiastically to my sermon about “Angels in the World Today.” I was pleased to be able to include a new angel story that came to me recently. Michael Esralian is a native of Pontiac, Michigan and a retired semiconductor engineer who lives in Aloha, Oregon with Shirley, his wife of 43 years. Michael lived in the city of The Colony, Texas, a suburb northwest of Dallas, when an angel saved his life on June 20, 1983.
Michael said, “I was 32 years old and driving my almost-new 1980 Chevy Chevette – driving home from work – crossing Highway 121. When the light turned green, I proceeded. I got slammed by an 18-wheeler that was heading due east and running a red light!
“He was hauling a huge load of gravel. I was hit on the driver’s side (T-boned” as some people call it). Our vehicles combined into one unit and I was pushed 270 feet down Highway 121. That is almost the length of a football field.
“Those big Mack trucks have a big flat bumper in front, so I was being pushed at a high rate of speed. Through my broken windshield I saw a crowd of people standing around and looking at me, but nobody was coming forward to help. My torso was in the passenger seat and my legs were pinned on the driver’s side; my forehead was bleeding a little and I was having trouble breathing.
“Just then, as I laid there in a panic state, an older man came forward and he was very distinguished-looking. He was wearing a 3-piece suit and tie. This by itself is very rare to see in Texas.
“What is a man wearing a 3-piece suit doing there standing on a highway in Texas? He reached his hand forward through my broken windshield and said, ‘Don’t worry, help is on the way’. For some reason I said, ‘Are you a Medic?’ And he said, ‘No, I am a professor’. That’s all I can remember. A great peace and calmness came over me, and I felt the panic leave my mind. What I do remember is the kindness in him and the fact that I felt a very calm feeling when he assured me help was on the way. And also, holding my hand helped a great deal.
“Whereas before, I was getting panicked due to my labored breathing. Then, that man was gone and here came the helpers. They had to use the ‘Jaws of Life’ to cut me out of the car.
“Now for the angel part of this story: My neighbor Mary said there was ‘nobody there’ like I described and nobody at the fire department saw anyone like that either. I know that because I went there when I got better to thank them.
“I believe that man wearing the 3-piece suit was an angel. What else could it be? He was there in my time of panic when I needed a helping hand. In my hour of greatest need, and yet nobody saw him except me! I believe, and will always believe, God had helped me that day!’
Angels are not humans, but they sometimes take the form of humans as depicted by Roma Downey and Della Reese in the television show, “Touched By An Angel.” Angels were created by God as a completely separate kind of being.
Martin Luther wrote, “An Angel is a spiritual being, created by God without a body, for the service of Christendom and the church.”
The Rev. John Sumwalt preaches at the 160th anniversary of the Scandinavian Prairie Church in Bloomer, Wis., June 7, 2026. (Photo Courtesy of John Sumwalt)
The Rev. John Sumwalt is a retired United Methodist pastor and the author of “Visions Stories: True Accounts of Visions, Angels & Healing Miracles.” Email him.