Nordic Churches Project
Between 1820 and 1920 , more than 2.1 million Nordic immigrants came to the American Midwest from Sweden , Iceland , Finland , Denmark , and Norway . In many ways , their settlements were a defining feature of the region ’ s cultural landscape in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries . As demographics continue to shift across the Midwest in the present day , churches built by these Nordic American communities are increasingly at risk , leading to fewer resources to care for buildings and the folk arts they contain .
The Nordic Churches Project addresses these concerns with two strategies : ( 1 ) a searchable online inventory that builds awareness and encourages study of Nordic American heritage churches ; and ( 2 ) project support for a group of active congregations and nonprofit organizations to help them preserve their buildings and sustain their presence in the community .
In 2019 Partners premiered the inventory at nordicamericanchurches . org with information , including photos , on over 1,500 Nordic heritage churches throughout the Dakotas , Iowa , Minnesota , Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan ; a video about the project ; and information on their folk arts and folk traditions . Partners also provided matching grants for 15 restoration and repair projects at churches reflecting Nordic heritage through their architecture , folk arts , and stewardship of ethnic traditions .
The Nordic Churches Project is generously supported by Margaret A . Cargill Philanthropies .
Volunteers raised over $ 50,000 to restore the granite walls at Swedish Zion Lutheran Church in rural Souris , ND . Swedish Zion , a National Register of Historic Places property , demonstrates the dedication of Swedish settlers to building and sustaining beautiful buildings in even the remotest locations . Photo : Scott Wagar , Bottineau Courant ..
PARTICIPATING NORDIC CHURCHES : Augustana Lutheran Church , Sioux City , IA • Bethany Lutheran Church , Covington , MI • Bethlehem Lutheran Church , Askov , MN • Dalesburg Lutheran Church , Vermilion , SD • Hallson Icelandic Church , Cavalier , ND • Hardies Creek Lutheran Church , Ettrick , WI • Jacobsville Chapel , Sandstone Township , MI • Luther Memorial Church , Des Moines , IA • Nora Unitarian Universalist Church , Hanska , MN • Old Trondhjem Lutheran Church , Lonsdale , MN • Our Savior ’ s Lutheran Church , Viborg , SD • Springdale Lutheran Church , Mt . Horeb , WI • Swedish Zion Lutheran Church , Souris , ND • Trinity Lutheran Church , Brevort , MI • Valley Grove Churches , Nerstrand , MN • Vidalin Icelandic Lutheran Church , Akra , ND • Zion Lutheran Church , Manistique , MI
“ We ’ re more restricted than those that have more of a modern facility … [ But ] we have so much more to offer than indoor plumbing and electricity . We have history and this heritage , and that excites me as much or more than anything else — realizing what we do have to offer to the community and to outsiders .” — Paul Berge , Swedish Zion Lutheran Church , Souris , ND
15
Capital Grants approved for Nordic Churches in 2019
$ 150,475 Granted
$ 244,705
Additional Funds leveraged