Norway Lutheran Church
1907 53rd St. N, west of 1st Ave. N, approximately 10 miles southwest of Denbigh
Towner, McHenry County, North Dakota 58788
1907 53rd St. N, west of 1st Ave. N, approximately 10 miles southwest of Denbigh
Towner, McHenry County, North Dakota 58788
Norway Lutheran Church Is located twelve miles south of Denbigh on a hill overlooking the Mouse River Valley. It was the first Lutheran congregation in the area and was organized by Rev. O.H. Aaberg on July 20,1884 ai the Erik Espeseth farm. Charter members were Johannes Kopperdahl, Hans Braathen, John Braathen, Anton Jevnager, Erik Espeseth, Marlus Stuterud, Martin Bredahl, Lars Hansen, Samuel Kolo, Simen Hestnas, Bernt Hestnas, Ole Hovlnd and Petrin Anderson.
1886 a log church was built with Rev. Torjus S. Reishus as the first resident Pastor. Plans were laid in 1906 to build the new church on land donated by L.J. Markusen. Actual construction was completed in 1907, however the basement was not constructed until 1929. The church was built of white "Denbigh Brick" and the cornerstone was laid on July 19, 1908. The service was conducted by Rev. E.T. Quam with assistance by the local pastor, Wilheim Coll.
The church was dedicated June 22, 1921, Rev. T.F. Gullixson was the officiating pastor assisted by Rev. L.T. Reishus. Also dedicated at that time were the altar furnishings and pews which were made to order by the St. Luke's Institute of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The pulpit had been purchased by the Young People's Society in 1914.
On August 5, 1934, the Ladies Aid served a special dinner to honor the pioneer members. It also marked their 30th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the congregation. The 75th anniversary of the congregation was celebrated on July 26, 1959, and its 100th anniversary on July 22, 1984.
Since the congregation’s organization it has been served by approximately thirty pastors. The present pastor Is Rev. Larry Olson from Drake.
The present Norway Church, as did the first log church, is a reflection for the early pioneers and for those who now live in the community.
Information - McHenry County: Its History and Its People 1885 - 1985 (Page 670)
1886 a log church was built with Rev. Torjus S. Reishus as the first resident Pastor. Plans were laid in 1906 to build the new church on land donated by L.J. Markusen. Actual construction was completed in 1907, however the basement was not constructed until 1929. The church was built of white "Denbigh Brick" and the cornerstone was laid on July 19, 1908. The service was conducted by Rev. E.T. Quam with assistance by the local pastor, Wilheim Coll.
The church was dedicated June 22, 1921, Rev. T.F. Gullixson was the officiating pastor assisted by Rev. L.T. Reishus. Also dedicated at that time were the altar furnishings and pews which were made to order by the St. Luke's Institute of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The pulpit had been purchased by the Young People's Society in 1914.
On August 5, 1934, the Ladies Aid served a special dinner to honor the pioneer members. It also marked their 30th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the congregation. The 75th anniversary of the congregation was celebrated on July 26, 1959, and its 100th anniversary on July 22, 1984.
Since the congregation’s organization it has been served by approximately thirty pastors. The present pastor Is Rev. Larry Olson from Drake.
The present Norway Church, as did the first log church, is a reflection for the early pioneers and for those who now live in the community.
Information - McHenry County: Its History and Its People 1885 - 1985 (Page 670)
The Norway Lutheran Church is a remarkable rural church located approximately 10 miles southwest of Denbigh, North Dakota. Constructed in 1907, this unique church is made of Denbigh sand bricks, a local building material that is no longer produced. The bricks, fired at the now-defunct Denbigh Brick Plant, remained soft enough to carve into but strong enough to withstand North Dakota’s harsh elements. Here are some notable features of the Norway Lutheran Church:
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- Gothic Revival Style: The church exhibits Gothic Revival architectural elements.
- Bell Tower: Rising sixty-five feet above the entrance, the bell tower stands prominently in the center of the facade.
- Ornamental Vergeboards: Large ornamental vergeboards adorn the gables on each side wall.
- Sawn Single-Bore Brackets: The roof soffits and pent eaves feature unusual sawn single-bore brackets.
- Stained Glass Windows: Twelve stained glass windows enhance the interior.
- Basement Addition: In 1929, a basement was added to provide a fellowship area.
- Cemetery: The church’s cemetery, dedicated in 1886, lies across the road from the church. In the past, a log church (now demolished) stood in the northeast corner of the cemetery.
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