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Historic church fosters spirit of caring

Janelle Atyeo
Mar 31, 2018
Mar 31, 2018 Updated Feb 4, 2026

Church bell — Benton Lutheran’s original bell sits behind the current church. It cracked when it fell in a fire that destroyed the first church in 1913.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Benton Lutheran Church sits on a hill west of Crooks, South Dakota, as a white, steepled beacon.

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Benton interior — Benton Lutheran Church near Crooks, S.D., features two large stained glass windows and a pipe organ. The altar speaks to its Swedish heritage. An inscription in Swedish translates to “I prayed for you.”
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Benton Lutheran Church sits on a hill west of Crooks, S.D. The building was dedicated in 1915.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Benton history — Church members gather outside of Benton Lutheran Church near Crooks, S.D., in this photo that is likely from the 1920s.
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.