St. Olaf Kirke facts for kids
St. Olaf Kirke, often called The Rock Church, is a small Lutheran church. You can find it near Cranfills Gap, Texas, in the United States. It's in a quiet, country area known as Norse in Bosque County, Texas. This church is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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The Rock Church's Story
St. Olaf Kirke sits on a small hill. From here, you can see the beautiful Meridian Creek Valley. It is about four miles east of Cranfills Gap.
Building the Church
The land for the church was bought in 1884 for just $25. The church itself was built in 1886. A man named Andrew Mickelson designed and built it. His brothers, Christian and Ole, helped him. Many local farmers also lent a hand.
The church was built for Norwegian settlers who farmed in the area. They used limestone from the nearby hills to build the church. This made it very strong and gave it the nickname "The Rock Church."
When it was first built, the church had a dirt floor. The seats were simple wooden planks placed on top of barrels.
Growing as a Community Church
At first, St. Olaf Kirke was part of another church. This was the Our Savior's Lutheran Church, just six miles away. As more people moved to the area, St. Olaf Kirke grew.
In 1902, it became its own independent church. Most church services were held in the Norwegian language. Some services were also held in English. The church was used for regular Sunday services until 1917. That's when a new St. Olaf Lutheran Church was built in Cranfills Gap.
St. Olaf Kirke Today
Today, St. Olaf Kirke is a special historical place. It is very important to the families of the original Norwegian settlers. They still feel a strong connection to this church.
A Place for Special Events
Even though regular services stopped, the church is still used. People hold special events there, like weddings and funerals. It's a beautiful and meaningful spot for these important moments.
Recognized as a Landmark
The church has been officially recognized for its history. In 1974, the Texas Historical Commission named it a historical landmark. Later, in 1983, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a nationally important historical site.
A Royal Visit
The community in this area has strong ties to its Norwegian roots. Because of this, King Olav V of Norway visited on October 10, 1982. The King came to honor Cleng Peerson. Cleng Peerson was an important figure in Norwegian-American history. He is buried in the nearby Norse Cemetery. During his visit, King Olav V also stopped by St. Olaf Kirke.
Images for kids
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The altar inside St. Olaf Kirke.
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The baptismal font at St. Olaf Kirke.
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A historical marker outside the church.
