Christdala Evangelical Swedish Lutheran Church facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Christdala Evangelical Swedish Lutheran Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Christdala Evangelical Swedish Lutheran Church from the southeast
Location in Minnesota Show map of Minnesota Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	4695 Millersburg Blvd., Forest Township
Nearest city	Lonsdale, Minnesota
Built	1878
Architect	John Olson
Architectural style	Gothic Revival
NRHP reference No.	95000617
Added to NRHP	May 18, 1995

The Christdala Evangelical Swedish Lutheran Church is a very old church in Forest Township, Rice County, Minnesota. It's about 11 miles (18 km) west of Northfield. You can find it at 4695 Millersburg Blvd.

This church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. This means it's an important historical site in the United States. It's special because of its history and its connection to a famous bank robbery. This robbery happened in Northfield, Minnesota on September 7, 1876, and involved the well-known James-Younger Gang.

Swedish Settlers and the Church's Beginning

The Christdala church community started in 1877. It was formed by Swedish immigrants who came to live in Rice County. They built the church in 1878 in a style called Late Gothic Revival.

Church services stopped in 1966. But in 1994, some people from the old church community formed a group. They wanted to protect the Christdala Church and its cemetery. Today, both the church and the cemetery are well cared for. The church now stands as a reminder of the Swedish-American settlers. These settlers worked hard, built a simple church, and helped their community grow.

A Timeline of Christdala Church History

Here are some important dates in the history of the Christdala Church:

The Millersburg Area Begins

• 1856: A man named George Miller started a farm here. He also planned a small village called "Millersburg." He built a mill and a hotel. Later, a post office and a blacksmith shop were added.
• 1870: The first Swedish immigrants arrived in the Millersburg area. They came from places like Red Wing, Minnesota and Vasa Township, Minnesota. At first, they held church services in their homes.
• 1871: The Lester post office opened nearby. More than half a dozen Swedish families now lived in the area.
• 1873: There was a time of economic difficulty in the U.S.

A Robbery and a New Church

• 1876: A new immigrant from Sweden, Nicolaus Gustafson, sadly died during a famous bank robbery in Northfield. This robbery was carried out by the James-Younger Gang on September 7. Because the Swedish community in Millersburg didn't have their own cemetery, Gustafson was buried in Northfield. This event made the Millersburg Swedes decide to build their own church and cemetery right away.
• 1877: The Christdala church community officially formed on July 18. Thirteen families were the founders. They built the church on land given by their neighbors. The Christdala community then joined the Lutheran Augustana Synod in Minnesota.
• 1878: The Christdala church building was constructed. John Olson and John Lundberg from Northfield built it for $230.00. The church building you see today is the original one. It has never been changed or moved.

Growing Years and Changes

• 1878 to 1918: Many Swedish immigrants came to the U.S., including Minnesota and Rice County, during this time.
• 1880: A pulpit was built for $15.00. The inside walls were plastered, and wood panels were added. The church also got oil lamps and its first organ.
• 1881: Front steps and horse stalls were built. A table, chairs, and a baptismal font were bought. These items are still in the church today.
• 1882: The Christdala community grew to 70 families. About 170 people attended church services each Sunday.
• 1885: The Christdala church adopted its own rules. More than half of the church's money was spent on education.
• 1886: A new organ was bought from Chicago. It is still used today.
• 1890: The church had its highest number of members, with 230 people.
• 1892: Carpet was put inside the church. The church reported that all its debts were paid, and it had money saved.
• 1893: Window shades and burial equipment were bought.
• 1895: A 60-foot (18 m) bell tower was added to the front of the church.
• 1897: The community bought a house to use as a parish house.
• 1901: A bell was placed in the bell tower.
• 1903: The church started offering services in English once a month.
• 1917: English became the only language used for services. New heating was installed, and the church got 18 new oak pews.

Later Years and Preservation

• 1927: Christdala celebrated its 50th Anniversary.
• 1938: Only a few of the original families remained in the Christdala community.
• 1950: Church membership dropped to 30 people.
• 1957: The inside walls were replastered and painted for the church's 80th Anniversary.
• 1966: Membership became very small, and the Christdala church community officially closed.
• 1978: A group was formed to take care of the Christdala cemetery.
• 1994: The Christdala Church Preservation & Cemetery Association was created. This group raised money to preserve the church. They put on a new roof, new windows, a new fence, and new front steps.
• 1995: Christdala was officially placed on the "National Register of Historic Places." This means it's recognized as an important historical site.
• 2002: Christdala celebrated its 125th Anniversary. The Preservation Association set a goal to raise $1,000,000 to keep the church maintained forever.
• 2007: Christdala celebrated its 130th Anniversary. Between 1994 and 2007, over $250,000 was spent on the church and cemetery.
• 2008: Christdala bought the old Millersburg Schoolhouse, built in 1887. They plan to use it to store records and as a community museum.

More to Read

• Quist, B. Wayne (1996) The History of the Christdala Evangelical Lutheran Church (Dundas, Minnesota: Small World Press)