Near Kathryn in Barnes County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Waldheim Church ⎯⎯⎯ Ladies Aid Societies
Photographed by Connor Olson, June 12, 2021
1. Waldheim Church/Ladies Aid Societies Marker
Inscription.
Waldheim Church, also, Ladies Aid Societies. .
Waldheim Church. During the mid-1880s, the Sheyenne River Valley was beginning to fill with settlers, many of whom were Scandinavian Lutherans eager to follow faith and tradition in providing religious instruction to their children. Responding to the need were Lutheran missionaries many of whom were recent immigrants themselves.
In 1892, the land for the church and cemetery was donated by local landowner Carl Jensen Bjerke. The church was completed in 1900.
The Waldheim congregation was first organized in 1886 by one such missionary, an immigrant Norwegian pastor named Nils Forde. In the early years, services were held in a local schoolhouse.
Ladies Aid Societies. Central to many of the local Lutheran churches were Ladies Aid Societies- organizations of church women who took turns hosting Society meetings at their homes. Although these meetings usually included well-cooked lunches and a chance to exchange news, they were not mere social occasions. Ladies Aid Societies were instrumental in raising money to build and improve churches, support missions, and provide charity in the community.
Societies raised money through dues (typical dues were 5 cents per month), auctions of home-made knitting, quilts, and food, and Aid Society-sponsored church socials. A well-run auction could net a Ladies Aid Society $25.
Captions: Pastor Nils Forde Reverend Forde's successor Reverend Johannes D. Bothne, served many congregations from Valley City to Enderlin. He was often away from home for many days are a time. Services at Waldheim Church were held in Norwegian until 1917, when a bi-weekly English service was added. Jens Jensen, Carl Jensen Bjerke's father was the first pioneer to be laid to rest in this cemetery. Society members sometimes walked several miles to attend meetings-some knitting articles for upcoming auctions as they walked. A typical Ladies Aid Society monthly meeting began in the morning and induded discussion, followed by lunch, with the afternoon reserved for quilting, knitting, crocheting and charity or service work.
Waldheim Church
During the mid-1880s, the Sheyenne
River Valley was beginning to fill with
settlers, many of whom were
Scandinavian Lutherans eager to
follow faith and tradition in providing
religious instruction to their children.
Responding to the need were Lutheran
missionaries many of whom were
recent immigrants themselves.
In 1892, the land for the church and
cemetery was donated by local
landowner Carl Jensen Bjerke. The
church was completed in 1900.
The Waldheim congregation was first
organized in 1886 by one such missionary,
an immigrant Norwegian pastor named
Nils Forde. In the early years, services were
held in a local schoolhouse.
Ladies Aid Societies
Central to many of the local Lutheran
churches were Ladies Aid Societies-
organizations of church women who took
turns hosting Society meetings at their
homes. Although these meetings usually
included well-cooked lunches and a
chance to exchange news, they were not
mere social occasions. Ladies Aid
Societies were instrumental in raising
money to build and improve churches,
support missions, and provide charity in the community.
Societies raised money through dues (typical dues were 5 cents per month),
auctions of home-made knitting, quilts,
and food, and Aid Society-sponsored
church socials. A well-run auction could
net a Ladies Aid Society $25.
Captions: Pastor Nils Forde Reverend Forde's successor
Reverend Johannes D. Bothne,
served many congregations from
Valley City to Enderlin. He was often
away from home for many days are
a time. Services at Waldheim Church were held in Norwegian until 1917, when a bi-weekly English service was added. Jens Jensen, Carl Jensen Bjerke's
father was the first pioneer to be laid to rest in this cemetery. Society members sometimes walked several miles to attend meetings-some knitting articles for upcoming auctions as they walked. A typical Ladies Aid Society
monthly meeting began in
the morning and induded
discussion, followed by
lunch, with the afternoon
reserved for quilting,
knitting, crocheting and
charity or service work.
Erected by Federal
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Highway Administration, NDDOT, Garrison Diversion Recreation Grant, Valley City Food & Beverage Tax Fund.
Location. 46° 40.02′ N, 97° 56.066′ W. Marker is near Kathryn, North Dakota, in Barnes County. It is on 120th Avenue Southeast south of 51st Street Southeast, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kathryn ND 58049, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Dakota’s Red River Valley. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles
Credits. This page was last revised on May 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 508 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
