Eitzen in Houston County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Portland Prairie Methodist Episcopal Church
— United Methodist Church Registered Historic Site No. 541 —
Photographed By Lugnuts, July 10, 2019
1. The Portland Prairie Methodist Episcopal Church Marker
Inscription.
The Portland Prairie Methodist Episcopal Church. . This church was established in 1855 by settlers from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The small but vigorous congregation met in private homes and at the local school house until this building was built in 1877 from plans brought from St. Paul by Senator J. McNelly. The first class was formed by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Paige, Mr. And Mrs. J. McNelly, Mr. and Mrs. A. Gilbert, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Green, Sara Albee, and Mr. Cramer. J. McNelly was designated leader., George and Ellen Cass donated the land for the church and cemetery, Mr. Title of New Albin, Iowa built the church., Served by circuit riders who ministered to several rural churches, regular services were held till 1935. Special services are still held each year. The church is associated with the Caledonia United Methodist Church. Many of the original prairie settlers are buried in the cemetery, which is still in use., The building is on the National Register of Historic Places., Dedicated in July 1996
This church was established in 1855 by settlers from Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The small but vigorous congregation met in private homes and at the local school house until this building was built in 1877 from plans brought from St. Paul by Senator J. McNelly. The first class was formed by Mr. and Mrs. Peter Paige, Mr. And Mrs. J. McNelly, Mr. and Mrs. A. Gilbert, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Green, Sara Albee, and Mr. Cramer. J. McNelly was designated leader.
George and Ellen Cass donated the land for the church and cemetery, Mr. Title of New Albin, Iowa built the church.
Served by circuit riders who ministered to several rural churches, regular services were held till 1935. Special services are still held each year. The church is associated with the Caledonia United Methodist Church. Many of the original prairie settlers are buried in the cemetery, which is still in use.
The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
31.546′ N, 91° 29.478′ W. Marker is in Eitzen, Minnesota, in Houston County. Marker is on T-33, ¼ mile south of Cabbage Ridge Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Eitzen MN 55931, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Spring Grove Area Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.6 miles away).
Photographed By Lugnuts, July 10, 2019
2. The Portland Prairie Methodist Episcopal Church Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2019, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 212 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2019, by Lugnuts of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
