Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church (Millville, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church
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The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church from the south
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bridge Street, Millville, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1874 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 88003086 |
| Designated | January 19, 1989 |
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church is an old and important church building. You can find it in Millville, Minnesota, in the United States. It was built a long time ago, in 1874. Different groups of people who moved to America used this church. These included Swedish, Norwegian, and German families.
The church and its nearby cemetery are very special. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. This means they are important for local history. They show the story of European families who settled in Wabasha County. This church is the only one left from that time that is still in good shape.
Contents
History of the Millville Church
Building the Church in 1874
A group of Swedish families started their church community in 1869. They had just moved to the area. But they didn't have enough money to build a church right away. They had to wait until 1874.
When they finally had enough money, they gathered materials. They used lumber and stone. The stone was a buff-colored type called Oneota limestone. They got it from land owned by one of the church members.
Inside the Church and Its Cost
The inside of the church was also special. Things like the pews (church benches) and the pulpit (where the speaker stands) were made by hand. The total cost for all the materials was $802.60. That was a lot of money back then!
Changes Over Time
After the church was built, it faced some challenges. Many Swedish families moved further west. Then, Norwegian-American families started using the church. They used it until 1914.
In 1905, another group, the Grace German Evangelical Church, began holding services there. Other groups also used the church until 1967. After that, the church building was empty for a while.
Saving the Church Building
The church was abandoned until the late 1970s. That's when the Millville Historical Association stepped in. They bought the building to save it. Now, it stands as a reminder of the many immigrant families who helped build the community.
See also
- List of Lutheran churches
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Wabasha County, Minnesota
