Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church (Ham Lake, Minnesota)

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Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Looking from the East on Swedish Drive.
Looking from the East on Swedish Drive.
Location: 2200 Swedish Dr., NE
Ham Lake, Minnesota
Coordinates: 45°17′36.93″N 93°12′43.03″W / 45.2935917, -93.2119528Coordinates: 45°17′36.93″N 93°12′43.03″W / 45.2935917, -93.2119528
Built/Founded: 1872
Architect: Per August Gustafson
Architectural style(s): Late Victorian
Added to NRHP: December 26, 1979
NRHP Reference#: 79001189 [1]
Governing body: Private

The following is the text of a plaque hanging on the front of the church. It was placed there by an Eagle scout completing his Eagle project in the spring of 2005.

"This church, the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ham Lake as it is called on the National Register of Historic Places, has a rich history. Founded in 1872, the building was constructed on land donated by Johan and Fredrika Magnuson shortly after their daughters Alida and Emilia died of typhoid fever and a need for a cemetery was realized. Originally laid to rest in their front yard, when the church was completed the two coffins were moved and became the first graves in the cemetery.

When the church was first built there were no local pastors, thus, whenever the families in the church wanted to hold a service someone would have to travel to Anoka to pick up the pastor and bring him back. Since that time the church has expanded and required new buildings, but despite its now limited use, the "Old Church" remains an important part of the history of Our Saviours Lutheran Church."

[edit] References

  1. ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).