Hope Lutheran Church (Elgin, North Dakota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Hope Lutheran Church
|
|
 |
|
 Location in North Dakota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Nearest city | Elgin, North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Built | 1898 |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001924 |
| Added to NRHP | January 16, 1992 |
The Hope Lutheran Church, also known as the Old Stone Church, is a special historic building. It was built around 1898 and stands about seven miles north of Elgin, North Dakota. This church was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1992. The area listed on the NRHP is about 2.5 acres and includes a cemetery. This makes the cemetery an important part of the historic site too.
Contents
A Unique Stone Church
The Hope Lutheran Church sits on a small hill, looking over the cemetery. Its outside walls were made from local sandstone slabs. These stones were held together with mud mortar, like a natural glue. In 1981, a cement material was put over the sandstone. This made the church look like it was covered in stucco, which is a type of plaster.
Its Special Look
Authors of a travel guide once described Hope Lutheran as an "evocative sight." They said it stands "alone among the wheat fields." The church does not have a tall steeple. Instead, it has a simple white cross on its cedar-shingled roof. This makes it look very unique and peaceful in the landscape.
History of the Builders
This church is very special because of how it was built. It shows the unique building style of German-Russian people. These people came from a region called Bessarabia, which is now part of Ukraine. They used sandstone and plaster for their buildings.
Who Built It?
Church records show that 12 families built the Hope Lutheran Church. These families came from villages in South Russia. They traveled a long way to reach this area. They likely arrived by train in places like Menno or Scotland, South Dakota. The church was a central part of their new community.
What Happened to the Church?
The church stopped holding regular services in 1956. At that time, the furniture and the entry area were sold and removed. Even though it is no longer used for services, the Hope Lutheran Church remains an important historic landmark. It helps us remember the people who built it and their journey.
