Minnesota Prairie Roots

WHETHER YOU’RE A PERSON of faith or not doesn’t matter when it comes to appreciating a country church. Or, in the case of Valley Grove, churches. Plural.

Perched atop a hill near Nerstrand Big Woods State Park in eastern Rice County, these two churches, the cemetery, and surrounding prairie and oak savannas are a place that beckons me. I don’t know that I’ve found another rural church—and I’ve visited many in Minnesota—which holds such peaceful appeal.

The setting is decidedly bucolic, pastoral, whatever word you use to describe a scene that creates internal serenity. I feel such peace every time I set foot upon this land, look across the landscape of prairie and woods, surrounding fields and farm sites. Perhaps it’s my rural roots that connect me to Valley Grove.

I have no family connections here. Not even connections of heritage given my ancestors hail from Germany. The settlers who formed Valley Grove Lutheran Church arrived from Norway. Their imprint is here, especially in names upon tombstones in the cemetery.

Even though this congregation disbanded in 1973, these churches have not been abandoned. The Valley Grove Preservation Society cares for and maintains the two buildings. On the National Register of Historic Places, the stone church was built in 1862 and the clapboard church in 1894. Recently, a steeple, bell structure and other restorations were completed on the wooden church. The interiors are also well-maintained, as if the congregants remain.

Valley Grove is the site of weddings, family gatherings, occasional concerts and more, plus an annual fall country social and candlelight Christmas Eve service hosted by the Preservation Society. I’ve attended the social numerous times, but have yet to make the December 24 service. That’s at 10 p.m. with music beginning at 9:45 p.m. Winter weather sometimes forces cancellation of that event. Weeks before, a music-rich vespers service is set for 4 p.m. Sunday, December 8.

To visit Valley Grove, whether during an event or on a personal outing, is something I would encourage if you live close by or are in the area, especially at nearby Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Note that church doors are opened only for special occasions so don’t expect otherwise if you come on your own. That’s the case now at all country churches, whether active or disbanded. You’re not going to get inside unless someone with a key just happens to be on-site.

You don’t need church access, though, to experience the essence of Valley Grove, the peace that prevails. It’s the being here, feet upon the ground, eyes taking in the countryside, that touches the soul. A walk through the cemetery, the reading of dates and names and tombstone messages channels a personal connection to those who came before us. The settlers who likely felt comfortably at home here, high atop a hill overlooking the landscape of rural Minnesota while missing the land they left, their beloved Norway.

FYI: The Valley Grove Preservation Society continues to seek donations for its Steeple Restoration Fund. As an extra incentive, those who donate $1,000 or more by December 31, 2024, will have their names placed in a January drawing for an original Valley Grove painting by Marine on St. Croix artist Tom Maakestad, who grew up near Valley Grove. His parents, Bobbie and John, founded the Preservation Society and saved the wooden church from demolition in 1975. The Valley Grove Board suggests a donation to the Steeple Fund as a Christmas gift for someone who has everything. Click here to reach the Valley Grove Preservation Society website for more information.

© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling