TWO WITNESSES

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 281

Today, the wifey and I ventured out from the comfort of Comfrey to explore a few locations we’d stumbled across on YouTube. Thankfully, these spots were close enough to home that we could bring the doggos along for the ride. For their stellar behavior, the boyos were handsomely rewarded with chicken nuggies, french fries, and a pup cup along the way.

Anywho, today’s adventure took us north into Renville County. Having never been to these spots before, we relied on Google Maps to get us hither and yonder. Now, while Google might claim it gave us the shortest route, it certainly didn’t feel like it. Nevertheless, after about 20,000 turns on gravel and country roads, over the river and through the woods, we finally arrived—not at grandmother’s house, mind you—but at the Fort Ridgely Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The old church isn't in use anymore, at least not for normal Sunday services. Danielle and I figured the nearby Central Lutheran Church is likely the same congregation, just operating under a new name and in a new location. Ironically enough, the new worship spot looks a lot like the old one, just... newer.

Fort Ridgely Norwegian was established back in 1868 and held continuous

worship for 60 years. Today, the weathered old sanctuary stands as a silent witness to the history of the prairie and the rugged settlers who carried their faith into a new world. Many of those early pioneers were laid to rest right there on its hallowed grounds, and to them, we owe a debt of gratitude for hanging onto the values and faith they cherished most.

Just a few miles to the northwest, Finnish settlers farmed right alongside their Norwegian neighbors. The Finns, arriving about 14 years later, likewise constructed a church to serve as a witness for Christ to the generations to come. And much like Fort Ridgely, the historic Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church is no longer in use… well, at least by humans. It appears a few local avian species have taken over the lease, making their home up in the abandoned sanctuary’s rafters.

While we couldn’t catch a glimpse inside Fort Ridgely, we were able to peek through the windows of the Finnish Apostolic’s aged sanctuary. Eerily enough, everything seemed to be right in place, exactly where it was left after the very last service. A torn curtain still hangs on one window; the wooden chairs are aligned neatly in rows; the altar railing and pulpit are clearly visible; and an old blackboard sits atop an area where we surmise a piano or pump organ once sat (or maybe still does).

I’m incredibly thankful these two witnesses remain out on the prairie to remind us of days long past. While these specific congregations weren't quite around to witness the Sioux Uprising of 1862, I’m certain the stories and scars of those terrible times lingered. Yet, despite the hard times those folks faced, their legacies remain standing tall.

In the book of Joshua, God instructed the Israelites to construct a witness to His goodness as they moved into the Promised Land. The Lord said,

“In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ you should tell them, ‘The water of the Jordan was cut off in front of the ark of the Lord’s covenant. When it crossed the Jordan, the Jordan’s water was cut off.’ Therefore these stones will always be a memorial for the Israelites” (Joshua 4:6–7, CSB).

I pray that both Fort Ridgely Norwegian and Finnish Apostolic Lutheran—two distinct witnesses to God’s goodness and grace—remain for a good long time out on the prairie. I’m thankful for the families who founded those churches, the God who sustained them, the history they carved out, and yes, even the YouTuber who marked their locations for the rest of us to find.

What are you thankful for today?