Mapleton Township in West Fargo in Cass County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Pioneer Memorial Fund

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025

1. Pioneer Memorial Fund Marker

Inscription.

Pioneer Memorial Fund. . , St. John's Lutheran Church was located northwest of Horace, North Dakota. It played a very important role in the spiritual and social lives of the people of Horace and the surrounding areas. St John's was originally part of the Sheyenne congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and was served by visiting pastors in the years prior to its organization on May 10th, 1872 with the help of Pastor Vatelesen. In 1873 Pastor Hellestvedt was called to the church and remained until 1878. During this time period the main headquarters and Pastorate were located in the small village of Norman which was centrally located. When Pastor I Bale was called to serve in 1879 services were being held in three separate locations. One of the three service locatians was a school house located an the north edge of Horace which became North Sheyenne and later St. John's Congregation., The first service in North Sheyenne was held on November 24th, 1875, Records indicate the following men as the first of the congregation: Johannes Holmen, Christian Brink (Olson), O.H. Dustrud, H.M. Peterson, Andor Storstad, Lars Sonderall, Lars Olson, N.D. Kjos, Ole Holmen, John Brakken, Christian Paulson, Martin Hagen, and Jacob Storstad., A building committee was established on November 24th, 1897 and they decided a structure 34' by 58' would be bullt at a cost of $3426. P.H. Dustrud and Andor Storstad each donated one acre of land for the building and cemetery. The Women of the church organized in 1890, pledged to help furnish the church as well as support its work. By 1900, they had earned $1508 from which they purchased pews, paint carpet, trim and a church bell. In 1904 they purchased the church's 12 lamp kerosene chandelier. Services were held in the church until 1967 when the congregation voted to merge with the Horace Lutheran Church, St., John's was then donated to Bonanzavllle, where it became a focal point for the Pioneer Village, and a popular wedding venue. Hundreds of couples were married at St. John's while at Bonanzavllle, including Governor Ed Schaffer and Nancy Jones Schaffer in 1992. In June of 2015, an electrical fire destroyed the building and ended its legacy. This spot, the original bell and sign are dedicated to its memory and the memory of the pioneers who supported it., Names of the supporters follow

St. John's Lutheran Church was located northwest of Horace, North Dakota. It played a very important role in the spiritual and social lives of the people of Horace and the surrounding areas. St John's was originally part of the Sheyenne congregation of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and was served by visiting pastors in the years prior to its organization on May 10th, 1872 with the help of Pastor Vatelesen. In 1873 Pastor Hellestvedt was called to the church and remained until 1878. During this time period the main headquarters and Pastorate were located in the small village of Norman which was centrally located. When Pastor I Bale was called to serve in 1879 services were being held in three separate locations. One of the three service locatians was a school house located an the north edge of Horace which became North Sheyenne and later St. John's Congregation.

The first service in North Sheyenne was held on November 24th, 1875, Records indicate the following men as the first of the congregation: Johannes Holmen, Christian Brink (Olson), O.H. Dustrud, H.M. Peterson, Andor Storstad, Lars Sonderall,

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Lars Olson, N.D. Kjos, Ole Holmen, John Brakken, Christian Paulson, Martin Hagen, and Jacob Storstad.

A building committee was established on November 24th, 1897 and they decided a structure 34' by 58' would be bullt at a cost of $3426. P.H. Dustrud and Andor Storstad each donated one acre of land for the building and cemetery. The Women of the church organized in 1890, pledged to help furnish the church as well as support its work. By 1900, they had earned $1508 from which they purchased pews, paint carpet, trim and a church bell. In 1904 they purchased the church's 12 lamp kerosene chandelier. Services were held in the church until 1967 when the congregation voted to merge with the Horace Lutheran Church, St., John's was then donated to Bonanzavllle, where it became a focal point for the Pioneer Village, and a popular wedding venue. Hundreds of couples were married at St. John's while at Bonanzavllle, including Governor Ed Schaffer and Nancy Jones Schaffer in 1992. In June of 2015, an electrical fire destroyed the building and ended its legacy. This spot, the original bell and sign are dedicated to its memory and the memory of

St John's church sign, bell and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025

2. St John's church sign, bell and marker

the pioneers who supported it.

Names of the supporters follow

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is November 24, 1875.

Location. 46° 52.595′ N, 96° 55.614′ W. Marker is in West Fargo, North Dakota, in Cass County. It is in Mapleton Township. It is on Main Avenue West (U.S. 10) east of 21st, on the right when traveling east. The marker, bell, and church sign are on the northeast corner of Bonanzaville USA Historic Museum and Pioneer Village. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1351 Main Ave W, West Fargo ND 58078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Red River Valley

and in Greater Fargo Area.

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 Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

Reverse side of marker, bell, and St John's Church sign, looking towards South Pleasant Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, June 27, 2025

3. Reverse side of marker, bell, and St John's Church sign, looking towards South Pleasant Church

walking distance of this marker: North Dakota Jewry (a few steps from this marker); South Pleasant Church (a few steps from this marker); Habberstad Cabin (a few steps from this marker); Buffalo Bandstand (within shouting distance of this marker); Land Office Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Dobrinz School (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Land Office Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Checkered Years House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Fargo.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 15, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.