Danebod History |
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The Stone Hall was built in 1889 from native field rock
hauled in by farmers and split and shaped by a Danish stone mason named Kristian Klink. The Stone Hall was used as the first church, later as a gym and assembly hall. At the present time it is used as a museum and at times as a classroom. Points of interest are: The old bell from the former children's school (outside), fresco from the gym hall, the old chandelier from the church, old pictures, and handcut field stone in the structure. |
| The first Danebod Folk School was built in the year
1888, and church services were held in the lecture hall of that building. On
February 25, 1917, the first Folk School burned to the ground, but nine months later the
present brick building was dedicated. In 1946 the Folk School was renovated and is now used as the Parish hall for the Danebod congregation, for camps, retreats, and a meeting place for local clubs and groups. Points of interest are: The hand-carved podium in the lecture hall, the picture behind the podium, the hand-carved wooden cross on the podium, collection plates made by Dr. Thomsen, and also the statuary in the lecture hall and sitting rooms, pictures in the sitting rooms and the small podium in the dining room. |
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The Danebod Gym Hall was erected in 1904 and was used
for gymnastic and basketball for the Folk School students and local people. In 1928
it was enlarged with a stage, basement and furnace. Many home talent plays were
presented there and it is still used for an occasional play, and is also used by the camps
and retreats for folk dancing. Points of interest are: The statue with an original canvas curtain with advertising, bars used years ago by gymnasts (on south wall), and the original wainscoting on the walls. |
| The brick building at the Danebod Village was built in
1909 and was originally used as a Children's Home, and served in that capacity until
1936. At this time there were not many children who needed that kind of home, but
there were older people who did, so for a time the Home was operated with both children
and old people living there. Since 1950 the Home has housed only the elderly. In 1959 a synod corporation was set up to own and operate the Home, and apartments were built. It is now called Danebod Village and functions under the Danebod Congregation. |
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This is the present parsonage at Danebod. The
first parsonage was built by Rev. J.J. Petersen, "Founder of Danebod", as a
temporary living place for his family, was rebuilt, and is now used as a garage. The new parsonage was built in 1915 and was a large structure with five bedrooms, a sleeping porch and electric lights. When the new parsonage was finished the cost was $5,660.38. |
It wasn't until 1947 that church services in the English language, as well as the Danish, were held every Sunday. Pastor Holger Strandskov, who came to Danebod in 1930, was the first pastor born in America to serve the church. He was involved in the period of language transition, and the beginning of the adjustment from the using the Danish language only. The time has come when very little Danish is used. In 1953 the name of the synod was changed to American Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1962 we merged with the Augustana Evangelical, Finnish Evangelical and United Lutheran Church, forming the Lutheran Church in America or the L.C.A. In 1988 we merged with the American Lutheran Church and the American Evangelical Lutheran Church to to become the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. |
