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. . This historical marker was erected by Federal Highway Administration, NDDOT, Garrison Diversion Recreation Grant, Valley City Food and Beverage Tax Fund. It is Near Kathryn in Barnes County North Dakota

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

Photographed By Connor Olson, June 13, 2021

2. Waldheim Church/Ladies Aid Societies Marker

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missions, and provide charity in the community.

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 Highway Administration, NDDOT, Garrison Diversion Recreation Grant, Valley City Food & Beverage Tax Fund.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations

Waldheim Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Connor Olson, June 13, 2021

3. Waldheim Church

• Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1886.

Location. 46° 40.02′ N, 97° 56.066′ W. Marker is near Kathryn, North Dakota, in Barnes County. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Wadeson Cabin Historic Site (approx. 0.7 miles away); A Tribute to Pioneer Living / Building a Hand-Hewn Cabin (approx. 0.7 miles away); Walker’s Best / Grinding Away (approx. 0.7 miles away); Kathryn / Sentinels of the Prairie (approx. 1.9 miles away); Standing Rock / Wonderful Wetlands (approx. 3.2 miles away); Standing Rock Hill Historic Site (approx. 3.3 miles away); Native Prairies / Ecosystem Under Siege (approx. 7.7 miles away); An Ancient Sea / Glacial Meltwater Trench (approx. 7.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kathryn.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 13, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.