Norway Lutheran Church
Encyclopedia
The Norway Lutheran Church or Muskego Church stands on the edge of the campus of Luther Seminary
, in Saint Paul, Minnesota
.
in the Wind Lake area of Racine County, Wisconsin in 1844, four years before Wisconsin became a state. It was originally built in the Muskego Settlement near Racine, Wisconsin, by Norwegian immigrant settlers.
Even Hansen Heg, father of Civil War Hero Hans Christian Heg
, donated the land on which the original church was built. Within the first year of construction, the congregation called pioneer Lutheran minister Claus Lauritz Clausen
, to serve as the first minister. Clausen would be followed by Hans Gerhard Stub
, future Bishop of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in America. The congregation made use of the facility for 25 years, replacing the building with a new church in 1869.
Principally through the efforts of historian, Hjalmar Holand
, the Old Muskego Church was purchased, taken apart, moved and re-assembled in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1904. The Minnesota Historical Society dedicated the church a State Historical Site in 1963. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
Luther Seminary
Luther Seminary is the largest seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America . Located in the Saint Anthony Park neighborhood of St...
, in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
.
History
Old Muskego Church was erected by Norwegian-American Lutherans near WaterfordWaterford, Wisconsin
Waterford is a village in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 4,048 at the 2000 census. The village is located mostly within the Town of Waterford...
in the Wind Lake area of Racine County, Wisconsin in 1844, four years before Wisconsin became a state. It was originally built in the Muskego Settlement near Racine, Wisconsin, by Norwegian immigrant settlers.
Even Hansen Heg, father of Civil War Hero Hans Christian Heg
Hans Christian Heg
Hans Christian Heg was a Norwegian- American politician and soldier in the American Civil War from Wisconsin.-Background:...
, donated the land on which the original church was built. Within the first year of construction, the congregation called pioneer Lutheran minister Claus Lauritz Clausen
Claus Lauritz Clausen
Claus Lauritz Clausen was an American pioneer Lutheran minister, church leader, military chaplain and politician.-Biography:...
, to serve as the first minister. Clausen would be followed by Hans Gerhard Stub
Hans Gerhard Stub
Hans Gerhard Stub was an American Lutheran theologian and church leader. He served as Bishop of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in America.-Background:...
, future Bishop of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in America. The congregation made use of the facility for 25 years, replacing the building with a new church in 1869.
Principally through the efforts of historian, Hjalmar Holand
Hjalmar Holand
Hjalmar Rued Holand was an American historian and author. He was the author of a number of books and numerous articles principally dealing with the history of the Upper Midwest and with Norwegian-American immigration....
, the Old Muskego Church was purchased, taken apart, moved and re-assembled in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1904. The Minnesota Historical Society dedicated the church a State Historical Site in 1963. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Other sources
- Nord, Mary Ann (2003) The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota (Minnesota Historical Society) ISBN 0-87351-448-3