Hope Lutheran Church (Elgin, North Dakota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hope Lutheran Church
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 Location in North Dakota
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Elgin, North Dakota |
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| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1898 |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001924 |
| Added to NRHP | January 16, 1992 |
The Hope Lutheran Church, also called the Old Stone Church, is a special old building. It was built around 1898 near Elgin, North Dakota. This church is important because it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The area around the church, about 2.5 acres, also includes a cemetery. This cemetery is considered part of the historic site.
What Makes Hope Lutheran Church Special?
The church sits on a hill, looking over the cemetery. Its outside walls were made from local sandstone. People used mud to hold the stones together. In 1981, the sandstone was covered with a cement material. This made the church look like it was made of stucco.
Unique Design and Location
Writers have described Hope Lutheran Church as a "moving sight." It stands alone among wide wheat fields. The church does not have a tall steeple. Instead, it has a simple white cross. This cross is attached to its cedar-shingled roof.
German Russian Heritage
The Hope Lutheran Church is very unique. It is the only known Catholic church of its kind. It shows the building style of German Russian people. They used sandstone and plaster for their walls.
Church records tell us who built it. Twelve families from South Russia built the church. They came from places like Kulm, Leipzig, and Petersthal. These villages are in an area now part of Ukraine. These families likely traveled by train to places like Menno or Scotland, South Dakota. The church stopped holding services in 1956. At that time, its inside furniture was sold and removed.
