Karl Holm, City Missionary
Norway Times, February 17, 2000
By Anna, Arthur and Nancy Andersen, Sufferen, NY
For the invaluable and unselfish work that Karl Holm did for the Norwegian community and for the City of New York, he received many forms of recognition. His Majesty, King Haakon, appointed Karl Holm Knight of St. Olav’s Order, 1 st Class.
Mayor William O’Dwyer and Police Commissioner Valentine presented Karl Holm with an Honor Scroll for his invaluable assistance in “ bringing numerous cases of missing persons to a successful conclusion “ Mayor O’ Dwyer’s commendation for Heroic Service in the Public Interest, from 1934 - 1943, was “ for rendering valuable assistance to the Police Department in establishing the identification of various unknown dead persons.”
It was especially during the Depression years that Holm began his work among the down-and-out. For many people, and Norwegians were no exception, these were hard times. The well-known shanty town, “ Ørkenen Sur “Bitter Desert", was for many years his workplace. Between 500 and 600 Norwegians were permanent “ residents “ of this squatters' village that they set up in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn. Their “ homes “ were huts made of packing crates and boxes, and others dug themselves holes in the ground and laid corrugated metal sheets over them..
Countless were the countrymen that Holm was able to help there. Soup kitchens were set up with the assistance of many people from the various Scandinavian churches. Day after day, many kind and sympathetic citizens and merchants supplied food and clothing for the needy. It was a huge undertaking to continually solicit donations, mobilize volunteers, prepare food, process clothing and distribute what needed over a period of years.
In many cases there was a wife or parents in Norway who waited for the husband or son. Holm was able to be the tool to make new contacts between many of these down-and-outers and their homes in Norway.
In later years, Holm worked with hospital and prison visitation. He made over 500 hospital visits each year. Also in the prisons, he was a frequent visitor, and maintained contact with the men over the years.
Every Christmas, family and friends were mobilized to pack shoeboxes with goodies for the Norwegians that were in the hospitals and prisons. Each box always had a Scripture portion and a tract, which he hoped would help lead them to salvation in Christ.
Endless numbers of men knocked on his door in Brooklyn. Both Karl and Karoline always welcomed them in.
Bestemor would make the coffee and sandwiches, while Bestefar and their guest talked. Besides enjoying a visit, many a problem was addressed over coffee. Bestefar would always close by praying.
Holm maintained extensive files on the Scandinavian community which he used in his work. He kept files on all the people he visited, not only in the hospitals and prisons, but also in the morgues. He also clipped articles involving Scandinavians from the newspapers. The information from his files was invaluable for his dealings with families in Norway, consulates, and the police department.
Karl Holm’s work in Greater New York was a great source of help and encouragement to the sizeable Norwegian community in Brooklyn. He was known and loved by thousands of people here and in Norway. The Royal Norwegian Consul General, Knut Thommesen, remarked at Karl Holm’s death that “ he will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure to work together with him “
(Karl Holm was born in Gjesdal, Jæren, Norway in 1877, and died in 1960, in Brooklyn.) ("Oplevelser I Ørkenen Sur" written by Karl Holm, tells about experiences in the squatters’ village.)
Karl Holm, City Missionary of New York
"Immigrant Who Made a Difference"
Karl Holm, City Missionary of New York
"I was sick and ye visited
me, I was in prison and ye
came unto me." Matt. 25:36
