Iowa Families Rally to Save Historic Grue Church This Saturday
Deep roots in faith and heritage are hard to break. Even though the Grue Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural Buxton, North Dakota, officially disbanded in 2020, former members with deep ties to Iowa and the rest of the country are refusing to let this piece of heartland history fade away.
Organizers are inviting the public to the annual Lefse and Lemonade Fundraiser this Saturday, June 13, from noon to 2:30 p.m. The event aims to raise critical funds to restore the 1891 church building and transform it into a vibrant community and cultural center.
What to Expect at the Fundraiser
The family-friendly afternoon will feature a free lunch of lefse and lemonade served from noon to 1:00 p.m. Free will donations will be accepted to support the restoration project. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and umbrellas to enjoy the outdoor festivities comfortably.
Highlights of the day include a silent auction, a bake sale packed with authentic Norwegian specialties, and a special display of handmade Hardanger fiddles. From 1:20 to 2:00 p.m., the Fargo-Moorhead Spelemannslag, an intergenerational group of Hardanger fiddle players and makers from western Minnesota and eastern North Dakota, will perform traditional music. Several members of the group have even traveled to Norway to study this unique folk music, which traditionally accompanies dancers. The Hardanger fiddle is similar to a standard violin but features eight or nine strings, including sympathetic strings that ring without being played.
Toothpick Artisan Unveils Grue Church Model
A major attraction at this year's event will be the unveiling of a handcrafted toothpick model of the Grue Church. The incredible miniature was created by Jerry Hackett of Shakopee, Minnesota. Hackett is an artisan who turns simple toothpicks into breathtaking architectural treasures, a talent that landed him a featured spot on an ABC-televised story last fall.
Since moving with his wife Pat from Bemidji to Shakopee in 2016, Hackett has painstakingly constructed detailed models of iconic structures. His impressive portfolio includes several Minnesota county courthouses, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shakopee, the historic Duluth Central High School, the Seattle Space Needle, the Eiffel Tower, and the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
The Iowa Connection and Preserving Family Heritage
The Grue Church holds a special place in the hearts of many across the Midwest. Sally Hoffman, who grew up in the Buxton area and has dedicated herself to gathering the church's history, explained that early settlers named the church to honor their families left behind at the Grue Church in Kirkenaer, Norway.
Although the congregation is gone, the community's commitment to its memory remains strong. Hoffman, who now lives in New Mexico, says former members are scattered across the country, including right here in Iowa.
We receive a steady stream of visitors and messages from around the United States and the world, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Washington state, as well as Norway and South Korea.
Every year, many former North Dakotans send genealogical information, stories, and photos for the church's history project, along with funds for the building's restoration. Hoffman noted that the Lefse and Lemonade event has become a homecoming for many.
Some families plan their own little reunion in connection with the Lefse and Lemonade event.
Since this year's event falls on Father's Day weekend, it offers a perfect opportunity for families to celebrate their shared heritage and honor the generations that built these rural communities.
Restoring a Rural Landmark for Future Generations
Since 2020, the 1891 Historic Grue Church project's advisory council has worked tirelessly to restore the building. Their vision goes beyond simply preserving the past. They want to turn the church into a functional art and cultural center that serves the region once again.
Once fully restored, members hope to rent the building for weddings, baptisms, community gatherings, business meetings, music programs, and other special events. It is a model of how private efforts and community values can preserve local landmarks without relying on government intervention.
The Grue Church is located five miles east of Buxton and one mile north, at 1423 168th Ave. N.E. Whether you have family ties to the congregation or simply want to support the preservation of rural heartland history, Saturday's fundraiser offers a great way to spend an afternoon.