Saints Peter and Paul Church (New Hradec, North Dakota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Saints Peter and Paul Church
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The front of Saints Peter and Paul Church
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 Location in North Dakota
Location in the United States
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| Location | New Hradec, North Dakota |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1917 |
| Architect | Ressler, Nick |
| NRHP reference No. | 86000161 |
| Added to NRHP | February 3, 1986 |
Saints Peter and Paul Church is a beautiful old Roman Catholic church. You can find it in New Hradec, North Dakota. This church was built in 1917. It was designed by Nick Ressler. The building shows styles like Gothic Revival and Tudor Revival.
The church has a special history. It served a unique group of Czech immigrants. These people came from the Crimea. The church is seen as a very important part of New Hradec's Czech heritage. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. This means it's a special place worth protecting.
A Look Back: The Church's Story
New Hradec was founded in 1887. It was started by immigrants from Bohemia. These people had lived in the Crimea before coming to America. They are the only known Bohemian immigrants from Crimea to settle in the United States.
In 1898, these settlers created the parish of Saints Peter and Paul. They built a church made of wood. Sadly, this first church burned down in May 1917. But the community quickly worked together. They built the current church later that same year.
The new church was officially opened on August 19, 1917. Its cornerstone was also laid that day. Nick Ressler from Mandan designed the church. Charles Bakke from Dickinson was the builder.
From 1918 to 1950, the church building also served as a school. Classes were taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame. Throughout its history, the church has kept Czech traditions alive. It used the Czech language in services. It was also supported by Czech cultural groups. The church has always been a key part of the Czech community in New Hradec.
Because of its deep cultural meaning to the local Czech people, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This happened on February 3, 1986.
Church Design and Features
Saints Peter and Paul Church was designed by the architect Petr Stiffy. It was built using common and brown bricks. The church shows elements of two old building styles. These are Gothic Revival and Tudor Revival.
You can see Tudor influences in many places. Look at the decorative patterns on the windows, called tracery. Also, notice the arched shape around the main door. The strong supports on the outside walls, called buttresses, also show Tudor style.
The church building includes the main church and a smaller school building. The school part is about half the size of the church. The church has a tall bell tower. At the very top of the tower is an eight-sided wooden spire.
Inside, the church can seat 300 people. The inside has kept much of its original look. This includes the old wood floors and the original pews (church benches). You can also find many plaster statues inside. These include plaster Stations of the Cross, which tell a story. Experts believe the church has kept its original design and building materials very well. This is special for a building in its location and with its purpose.
