Canaan Moravian Church
4465 159th Ave SE
Davenport, Cass County, North Dakota 58021
4465 159th Ave SE
Davenport, Cass County, North Dakota 58021
The prairies of Dakota Territory were the "Land of Promise" to many German Moravian families from Minnesota and Wisconsin who established homes along the Maple River (Cass County) in 1878 -1881. They founded the community which they called "Canaan" - The Land of Promise.
These pioneers were concerned with sowing the seed of the Gospel as well as seed in the soil, so met in homes often to hear Luther's sermons read by Father John Piper. The Moravian denomination was from Moravia in Europe - founded by John Huss before Martin Luther.
Since membership was outgrowing the seating capacity of the small white frame church, in 1914, the present brick church was built, costing $14,000, with B. F. Meineche, a son of the congregation as contractor, with local help.
Then in 1945 a new parsonage was built, and the old German schoolhouse sold, making the grounds more attractive. One of the final building projects was church basement remodeling in 1956, Otto Nokleberg, supervising contractor. It was rededicated for Christian education and Christian fellowship, July 8, 1956.
The Rev. Frank Wolff, first resident pastor of Goshen Moravian congregation, held services for the Canaan community in their district schoolhouse. He helped organize the Canaan church, serving it from the Goshen parsonage. Canaan resident pastors were William Strohmeier, 1882-1889; Albert Haupert, 1889-1893; Theobald Kant, 1893-1899; Edward F. Helmich, 1899-1911; Walter J. Goerner, 1911-1921; Charles A. Albrecht, 1921-1927; William R. Scheel, 1927-1933; Joseph W. Schwager, 1933-1943; Edward Wilde, 1943-1953: Bernard E. Michel, 1953-1958; Joseph W. Schwager, 1958-1967; John H. Johansen, 1967-1970; Dennis G. Rohn, 1970-1975; Harvey Kenneth Prochneau.
Sunday school and catechistical instruction was in German until 1926, then English class was formed, and in 1928 German language was dropped. An English Sunday school, in schoolhouse, held for English speaking folks in early years, was known as Canaan Union Sunday School. Church extension work led to organizations at Casselton and Bethel churches (Leonard Township). Rev. Edward Helmich also served settlers 12 miles away at Dobrinz School (District 27), the building now moved to Bonanzaville at the fairgrounds. Casselton is now served by the Canaan pastor.
Canaan is proud of two sons of the congregation. The Rev. Warren Sautebin and the Rev. Robert Gohdes, now serving Moravian congregations. Constance Sautebin has been a mission teacher in Alaska.
1938 - Canaan Moravian Church pictured in "Life Magazine" telling of large, lying flat gravestones, and the special Easter sunrise service.
1951 - Canaan Church honored as Outstanding Rural Church in North Dakota by N.D. Interchurch Council, from among its 16 member denominations.
1956 - 75th Anniversary. Through all the years the Women's Fellowship has been active and helpful in church work.
Our forefathers looked unto Jesus "the author and finisher of their faith." We must look to Him too, that He might bless us in all that we do.
There, behind· the newly sand-blasted red brick of this beautiful country House of God, lies the 500-year-old tradition the graveyard. More than 250 graves, all with tombstones lying flat. And even more uniquely, all the men buried on one side, all the women on the other side, all the children in their own separate section.
For Canaan is a church of Moravian faith and the 265 members of its largely German descended congregation follow their faith back to the Year 1457 when the Moravian Church was founded in old Czechoslovakia.
The Moravians are not Lutherans. The church was born before Martin Luther was. They are not a sect. They are a church.
Canaan Church celebrated its centennial throughout 1981, with the Centennial committee of Jean Schroeder, chairman; Lois Saewert; Winnie Schatzke, Clarence Discher, Virgil Hans, and Pastor James Hughey.
The events were: March 15, A Singstunde of songfest; May 3, Pioneer Sunday; May 7, Women's Fellowship guest day with other Moravian women invited; July 12, Confirmation Reunion; October 23, the actual date, Oyster Stew Supper and Anniversary Communion; October 25, Lovefeast at church.
Some of the people helping celebrate were the Rev. Warren Sautebin, President of the Western District; the Rev. Robert Gohdes, a son of the congregation and pastor of the Chaska Moravian Church, Chaska, Minn., and family; the Rev. Denny Rohn and family, pastor of’ the Gnadenhutten Moravian Church in Ohio; the Rev. Joseph and Vardis Schwager, retired at Watertown, Wi.; the Rev. Bernie and
Lillian Michel, Bethlem, Pa.; and Miss Connie Sautebin, missionary to Alaska.
Information – 1882-1982 Davenport Centennial Davenport, North Dakota July 2, 3, 4, 1982
These pioneers were concerned with sowing the seed of the Gospel as well as seed in the soil, so met in homes often to hear Luther's sermons read by Father John Piper. The Moravian denomination was from Moravia in Europe - founded by John Huss before Martin Luther.
Since membership was outgrowing the seating capacity of the small white frame church, in 1914, the present brick church was built, costing $14,000, with B. F. Meineche, a son of the congregation as contractor, with local help.
Then in 1945 a new parsonage was built, and the old German schoolhouse sold, making the grounds more attractive. One of the final building projects was church basement remodeling in 1956, Otto Nokleberg, supervising contractor. It was rededicated for Christian education and Christian fellowship, July 8, 1956.
The Rev. Frank Wolff, first resident pastor of Goshen Moravian congregation, held services for the Canaan community in their district schoolhouse. He helped organize the Canaan church, serving it from the Goshen parsonage. Canaan resident pastors were William Strohmeier, 1882-1889; Albert Haupert, 1889-1893; Theobald Kant, 1893-1899; Edward F. Helmich, 1899-1911; Walter J. Goerner, 1911-1921; Charles A. Albrecht, 1921-1927; William R. Scheel, 1927-1933; Joseph W. Schwager, 1933-1943; Edward Wilde, 1943-1953: Bernard E. Michel, 1953-1958; Joseph W. Schwager, 1958-1967; John H. Johansen, 1967-1970; Dennis G. Rohn, 1970-1975; Harvey Kenneth Prochneau.
Sunday school and catechistical instruction was in German until 1926, then English class was formed, and in 1928 German language was dropped. An English Sunday school, in schoolhouse, held for English speaking folks in early years, was known as Canaan Union Sunday School. Church extension work led to organizations at Casselton and Bethel churches (Leonard Township). Rev. Edward Helmich also served settlers 12 miles away at Dobrinz School (District 27), the building now moved to Bonanzaville at the fairgrounds. Casselton is now served by the Canaan pastor.
Canaan is proud of two sons of the congregation. The Rev. Warren Sautebin and the Rev. Robert Gohdes, now serving Moravian congregations. Constance Sautebin has been a mission teacher in Alaska.
1938 - Canaan Moravian Church pictured in "Life Magazine" telling of large, lying flat gravestones, and the special Easter sunrise service.
1951 - Canaan Church honored as Outstanding Rural Church in North Dakota by N.D. Interchurch Council, from among its 16 member denominations.
1956 - 75th Anniversary. Through all the years the Women's Fellowship has been active and helpful in church work.
Our forefathers looked unto Jesus "the author and finisher of their faith." We must look to Him too, that He might bless us in all that we do.
There, behind· the newly sand-blasted red brick of this beautiful country House of God, lies the 500-year-old tradition the graveyard. More than 250 graves, all with tombstones lying flat. And even more uniquely, all the men buried on one side, all the women on the other side, all the children in their own separate section.
For Canaan is a church of Moravian faith and the 265 members of its largely German descended congregation follow their faith back to the Year 1457 when the Moravian Church was founded in old Czechoslovakia.
The Moravians are not Lutherans. The church was born before Martin Luther was. They are not a sect. They are a church.
Canaan Church celebrated its centennial throughout 1981, with the Centennial committee of Jean Schroeder, chairman; Lois Saewert; Winnie Schatzke, Clarence Discher, Virgil Hans, and Pastor James Hughey.
The events were: March 15, A Singstunde of songfest; May 3, Pioneer Sunday; May 7, Women's Fellowship guest day with other Moravian women invited; July 12, Confirmation Reunion; October 23, the actual date, Oyster Stew Supper and Anniversary Communion; October 25, Lovefeast at church.
Some of the people helping celebrate were the Rev. Warren Sautebin, President of the Western District; the Rev. Robert Gohdes, a son of the congregation and pastor of the Chaska Moravian Church, Chaska, Minn., and family; the Rev. Denny Rohn and family, pastor of’ the Gnadenhutten Moravian Church in Ohio; the Rev. Joseph and Vardis Schwager, retired at Watertown, Wi.; the Rev. Bernie and
Lillian Michel, Bethlem, Pa.; and Miss Connie Sautebin, missionary to Alaska.
Information – 1882-1982 Davenport Centennial Davenport, North Dakota July 2, 3, 4, 1982