Goose Lake Township near Geddes in Charles Mix County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

German Methodist Church and Cemetery

September 13, 2026

1. German Methodist Church and Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Henry Kasulka (1839-1918) with wife Caroline (1844-1934), German immigrants from Pomerania, set aside land at this site for a German Methodist Church and Cemetery originally organized in 1897. The congregation erected the church in 1906 with John Burn as pastor. At times Kasulka preached as lay minister. Beginning in 1909, the Reverend Samuel Steinbrenner of Sioux City, Iowa, another German immigrant and minister, often served as pastor. Ministers conducted services in German until 1917 when the United States entered World War I. Because of animosity and suspicion toward people of German ancestry, the South Dakota Council of Defense prohibited the use of German and required English to be spoken in all churches and schools.

The United States government granted Henry Kasulka his homestead allotment in 1904 and land patent in 1910. After the death of Caroline, grandson Otto Kasulka and wife Freida inherited the church and cemetery property. In 1934 they donated it to the Trustees of the Dakota Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The church building was later removed. Today the cemetery is all that remains of a

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small, devout German Methodist congregation and its rural church.

Erected 2008 by descendants of Henry and Caroline Kasulka. Special thanks to the Geddes United Methodist Church for maintenance and preservation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1897.

Location. 43° 15.049′ N, 98° 33.88′ W. Marker is near Geddes, South Dakota, in Charles Mix County. It is in Goose Lake Township. It is on 381st Avenue 0.4 miles south of 285th Street (County Highway 34), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Geddes SD 57342, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

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

German Methodist Church Built 1906 side of marker image. Click for full size.

September 13, 2026

2. German Methodist Church Built 1906 side of marker

other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Geddes Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.6 miles away); Lake Andes Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.8 miles away); Civilian Conservation Corps Camp (approx. 7 miles away); The Ravinia Consolidated School (approx. 10.3 miles away); Ravinia School (approx. 10½ miles away); Fort Randall Dam - Lake Francis Case (approx. 12.6 miles away); Women's Work: Making & Raising Tipis (approx. 12.6 miles away); Buffalo Tipi Covers (approx. 12.6 miles away).

German Methodist Church and Cemetery Marker, from the east image. Click for full size.

September 13, 2026

3. German Methodist Church and Cemetery Marker, from the east

German Methodist Church and Cemetery Marker, from the west image. Click for full size.

September 13, 2026

4. German Methodist Church and Cemetery Marker, from the west

German Methodist Cemetery gravestones can be seen in the background.

Caroline and Henry Kasulka Gravestones image. Click for full size.

September 13, 2026

5. Caroline and Henry Kasulka Gravestones

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2026. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 9, 2026.