The 1862 Valley Grove Church as seen through the window of the 1894 white clapboard church.
BUILT BY NORWEGIAN immigrants on a hill northwest of Nerstrand, the 1862 Valley Grove stone church still stands strong, next to the 1894 wooden church that replaced it.
The Valley Grove Preservation Society has signed a 50-year lease on the historic building with the Valley Grove Grace Cemetery Association.
Efforts have begun to restore the stone church, which serves as a reception area for weddings and other functions and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Work began with restoration of the steeple.
This sturdy church stands as a testament to the hardy immigrants who settled this land. Here they planted their roots. Here they built the foundation of their new lives. Here they worshiped God, here at Valley Grove.
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.” –Psalm 84:1, 4
For more information, go to www.valleygrovemn.com
Keyhole and doorknob on the church.
Entry doors to the old church.
Altar railings, now stashed in a corner of the balcony. Some spindles were once reused as table legs.
An original pew, currently stored in the balcony.
The restored steeple of the historic 1862 Valley Grove Church.
This marks my final installment on Valley Grove Church and cemetery. Check Minnesota Prairie Roots archives for previous posts on Oct. 9, 19 and 31.
© Copyright 2009 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Recent Comments