Eitzen in Houston County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Portland Prairie Methodist Episcopal Church

— United Methodist Church Registered Historic Site No. 541 —

Photographed by Lugnuts, July 10, 2019

1. The Portland Prairie Methodist Episcopal Church Marker

Inscription. This church was established in 1855 by settlers from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The small but vigorous congregation met in private homes and at the local school house until this building was built in 1877 from plans brought from St. Paul by Senator J. McNelly. The first class was formed by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Paige, Mr. And Mrs. J. McNelly, Mr. and Mrs. A. Gilbert, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Green, Sara Albee, and Mr. Cramer. J. McNelly was designated leader.

George and Ellen Cass donated the land for the church and cemetery, Mr. Title of New Albin, Iowa built the church.

Served by circuit riders who ministered to several rural churches, regular services were held till 1935. Special services are still held each year. The church is associated with the Caledonia United Methodist Church. Many of the original prairie settlers are buried in the cemetery, which is still in use.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 1996.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the United Methodist Church Historic Sites series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 43° 31.546′

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N, 91° 29.478′ W. Marker is in Eitzen, Minnesota, in Houston County. It is on T-33 ¼ mile south of Cabbage Ridge Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Eitzen MN 55931, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Spring Grove Area Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.6 miles away).

Photographed by Lugnuts, July 10, 2019

2. The Portland Prairie Methodist Episcopal Church Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2019, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 489 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2019, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.