In addition to relation-
ships with Partners staff and
other churches in the cohort,
some of these churches have
had an even broader impact
on their neighboring com-
munities. Zion Lutheran
Church, founded by Swedish
immigrants in Manistique,
Michigan, has become a home
for altar paintings from sev-
eral Nordic heritage churches
in the area.
When a former Norwe-
gian Lutheran church in
Manistique closed, the buyer
—a Seventh Day Adventist
congregation—offered the
altar painting to Zion Lu-
theran. That 1893 paint-
ing—the first altar painting
done by the important
Norwegian-American artist
August Klagstad (a former
resident of Manistique)—now
hangs in the foyer at Zion
Lutheran. When Bethany
Lutheran Church closed in
nearby Isabella, Michigan,
Zion Lutheran became home
to a third altar painting by an
unknown artist. In addition,
Zion has its own altar paint-
ing—a Grafström, like the one
at Trinity Lutheran. The altar
paintings came to mind when
Zion became part of the Nor-
dic Churches Project and
learned of the grant monies
available. “We knew that we
Interior, Old Trondhjem Church, Lonsdale, Minnesota. Credit: Joshua Castaño
had historic paintings,” says
Larry Peterson, a congregant
asset not only to us but also to the community. The church build-
at Zion Lutheran, “and our church was unique in that we had the
ing really reflects the history of the community…. The training
very first Klagstad painting, and he grew up in this community.
really helped us reflect on what we’ve been doing for the past 100
We thought this was a good opportunity to restore the [Klagstad
years,” explains Peterson.
and Grafström] paintings and get in touch with our history.”
Across the region and the cohort, these churches have been
Trinity and Zion Lutheran have partnered with the same conser-
enthusiastic
about what their participation in the Nordic
vator, who will be in Manistique this summer to restore the
Churches
Project
means for the future of their churches and
Grafström painting on site. Peterson, the congregation, and the
their communities. “It was really eye-opening to see the response
community of Manistique are excited to have the conservator
[to our letters]. People who have never set foot in the church
there, so they can observe the restoration process.
made big donations,” remarks Kennedy. “The church has af-
The people at Zion Lutheran remain hopeful about the fu-
fected and impacted so many people.”
ture. “[We are thinking] about how our church building is an
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SACRED PLACES • SUMMER 2019