While cars speed by at 80 mph on Interstate 29 between South Shore and Watertown, South Dakota, a mile away there’s an unassuming country church that holds a beautifully grand piece of history.
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The sanctuary at St. John’s Evangelical Maszeppa Township.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
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A colorized photo of an early church gathering hangs in the entry way at St. John’s.
Submitted photo
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St. John’s Evangelical Church is located south of Summit, S.D. The church building dates to 1897.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo
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A basement is dug for the St. John's Mazeppa church in 1950.
Submitted photo
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The bell tower at St. John's Mazeppa was removed in 1950 when the church was moved onto a basement. A schoolhouse eventually moved to a nearby farm.
Submitted photo
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Janelle is editor of the Tri-State Neighbor, covering South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa and northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at jatyeo@tristateneighbor.com or follow on Twitter @JLNeighbor .
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