Alongside a county highway 8 miles south of Bath, South Dakota, there’s a stately tombstone with a cryptic message.
A gravestone in the Scandinavia cemetery bears a poem about preparing for death and following Jesus.
Scandinavia Lutheran Church members gather for a picnic in this old photo posted in the church basement.
Young members of Scandinavia Lutheran show that membership was once thriving. The church used to run a “Norse” school where children were taught to write and read in Norwegian.
People are also reading…
John Ellingson displays an old sign from the church’s “ludefisk” supper and bazaar, which was a major fundraiser in the 1950s and earlier.
A curved communion rail surrounds the altar of Scandinavia Lutheran Church near Stratford, S.D.
The sun sets behind the cemetery of Scandinavia Lutheran Church near Stratford, S.D.
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.
Janelle Atyeo
Editor
