Near Richland in Union County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
St. Paul Lutheran Church
One and one-fourth miles
January 8, 2022
1. St. Paul Lutheran Church Marker
Inscription.
St. Paul Lutheran Church. One and one-fourth miles. Stately church edifices frequently have humble beginnings and so with St. Paul Lutheran Church, one of South Dakota's finest. The humble log church pictured hereon was erected in 1867 by the members of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation by Brule Creek, an organization created August 12, 1863 but who had no permanent pastor. It was ready for use by Christmas 1868. The name had been changed to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Dakota. The first church council were Kjell P. Ronne, Helge Mathiason and Thomas Olesen. The seats, pulpit and millwork cost $39.50 and its first permanent pastor was (1) J. E. Nesse, who served from 1869 to 1881. The church was used as a parochial school, a common school and a polling place but as the congregation grew, an acre of land across the road to the west was acquired in 1877 and the new church with a high steeple and bell was built and used until 1923. (2) David Lysness served as pastor until his death in 1890 followed by (3) O. T. Nelson, who served until 1895 being succeeded by (4) P. J. Reinertsen, who served until 1918. It was in April, 1910, that the first all English services were conducted. (5) A. J. Bergsaker followed Pastor Reinertsen and on July 9, 1922, the present beautiful church was dedicated.
Stately church edifices frequently have humble beginnings and so with St. Paul Lutheran Church, one of South Dakota's finest. The humble log church pictured hereon was erected in 1867 by the members of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation by Brule Creek, an organization created August 12, 1863 but who had no permanent pastor. It was ready for use by Christmas 1868. The name had been changed to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Dakota. The first church council were Kjell P. Ronne, Helge Mathiason and Thomas Olesen. The seats, pulpit and millwork cost $39.50 and its first permanent pastor was (1) J. E. Nesse, who served from 1869 to 1881. The church was used as a parochial school, a common school and a polling place but as the congregation grew, an acre of land across the road to the west was acquired in 1877 and the new church with a high steeple and bell was built and used until 1923. (2) David Lysness served as pastor until his death in 1890 followed by (3) O. T. Nelson, who served until 1895 being succeeded by (4) P. J. Reinertsen, who served until 1918. It was in April, 1910, that the first all English services were conducted. (5) A. J. Bergsaker followed Pastor Reinertsen and on July 9, 1922, the present beautiful church was dedicated.
Erected 1966 by the St. Paul
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Lutheran Church and State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 410.)
Location. 42° 45.685′ N, 96° 41.278′ W. Marker is near Richland, South Dakota, in Union County. Marker is at the intersection of 476th Avenue (South Dakota Route 50) and County Road 25, on the right when traveling south on 476th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elk Point SD 57025, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, February 20, 2016
2. St. Paul Lutheran Church Marker
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, February 20, 2016
3. St. Paul Lutheran Church Marker
January 8, 2022
4. St. Paul Lutheran Church Marker, from the south
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, February 20, 2016
5. View of St. Paul Lutheran Church at the marker.
January 8, 2022
6. St. Paul Lutheran Church
January 8, 2022
7. St. Paul Lutheran Church Cornerstone
St. Paul Lutheran Church
1863–1920
Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2016, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 550 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on January 9, 2022. Photos:1. submitted on January 11, 2022. 2, 3. submitted on February 24, 2016, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. 4. submitted on January 11, 2022. 5. submitted on February 24, 2016, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. 6. submitted on January 11, 2022. 7. submitted on January 15, 2022. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.