| Additional Information: | POINTED ARCHED WINDOWS OCULI IN TOWER CHURCH WA S PAPERED IN 1905, BASEMENT WAS DUG 1912 FOR $300 ORIGINAL CONGREGATION WAS NORWEGIAN Additional map code 50/12.
2018 - The cream brick, Gothic Revival-style Evangelical Lutheran Church (Figures 16 and 17) was constructed in 1890. It has asymmetrical massing with a prominent square tower positioned at the corner of the front, northwest corner of the cross-gable plan. The front entrance is within a Gothic arch opening on the west, S. Main Street side of the tower. Directly above the arch are a stone panel with an inscription reading “Evang’l Luth. Church” and a stained-glass oculus window. Brick details on the tower include corner pilasters and brick corbeling at the cornice level. The tower is topped with a belfry and spire. The former has a pair of openings on each side fitted with fixed louvers. The front (west) and north gables have a central Gothic arch stained-glass window. On the west wall of the north gable is an added bump-out that appears to be for an interior basement stairwell. A Gothic arch stained-glass window was removed to make this addition.
There have been numerous other additions and alterations to the church building since its construction in 1890. In 1912, a basement was added. The space was used for meetings and Sunday School. In the early 1950s, the front of the church was extended 18 feet for a new sacristy. The chancel and furnishings also were replaced, including the altar and panels surrounding it, the pulpit, the Baptismal font, the lectern, the missal stand, the pastor’s kneeler and pew, the sacristy chair, and the communion rail. In addition, the pipe organ was rebuilt, the choir loft, Fellowship Hall, and kitchen were enlarged, and new light fixtures and carpeting were installed. In the 1960s, the sanctuary was remodeled, which included replacing the wainscoting with paneling and replacing the pews. Also during this time the adjacent property to the south was purchased for a parking lot. Then, in 1975, some of that additional land was used for the construction of an education wing, which is of modern design with a broad rectangular footprint and few architectural details. This wing more than doubled the size of the church. In 1990, the front entrance was remodeled. |
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