Golden Valley Norwegian Lutheran Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Golden Valley Norwegian Lutheran Church
|
|
 |
|
 Location in South Dakota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Nearest city | Ralph, South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1900 |
| Architectural style | Rural Gothic |
| MPS | Harding and Perkins Counties MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 87000548 |
| Added to NRHP | April 10, 1987 |
The Golden Valley Norwegian Lutheran Church is an old and special church located in Ralph, South Dakota. It was built a long time ago, around the year 1900. This church has a unique design called Rural Gothic style. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. This means it's an important building to protect.
Contents
History of the Church
A New Home in South Dakota
Long ago, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, big changes happened in South Dakota. A large area that was once an Indian Reservation for the Lakota people became smaller. This land was then opened for new settlers. Many people, called "homesteaders," came to live there. They often traveled by train on the Milwaukee Road railroad to northwest South Dakota.
Building a Community Church
Many Norwegian families moved to this area between 1902 and 1910. They settled near other groups, like Ukrainian and German families. The Norwegian community first built a church out of sod, which is like thick grass and dirt. You can still see parts of it near the highway from Reeder, North Dakota.
Later, the community decided to build a stronger church. Men from the area worked together as volunteers. They also raised money to build the new church. This church became the heart of their community. It was a place for religious services and also for fun social events. People would gather for ice cream socials, local performances, and musical events with singing and instruments.
The Church Today
Over time, fewer people lived in the area around the Golden Valley Church. Farms grew larger, and fewer families were needed to work them. Because of this, not enough people attended the church to keep it open. So, the church closed its doors around the late 1960s.
The land where the church stands was originally given by a family before 1921. Later, Kit and Barbara Johnson bought the land. After Kit's passing, Barbara and her son continued to care for the farm. They also look after the church building. An organization has been created to help preserve this historic church. It gets support from the Christiansen, Johnson, and Howe families.
Today, the church stands peacefully on a gentle slope of Grassy Butte. It offers a beautiful view of the land around it. Inside, the altar was brought all the way from Norway. The church is still in good condition. In the cemetery behind the church, you can find the graves of many families who first helped build and support the church.
References
