For more than a century, Denmark Lutherans have clung to their faith and to the enduring rock of their tiny, sturdy church built atop the rise at Denmark, Kansas.
On Saturday, Sept. 10, the Denmark Evangelical Lutheran Community Church flock will rejoice and celebrate the 110th anniversary of the church building with an 11 a.m. service, and at the hall closeby, a potluck dinner at nooon and a special afternoon program.
The beautifully simple, solidly built church gracing the skyline at Denmark has withstood the test of time, its presence a tribute to the pioneer parishioners who, in spite of hardship, saw their dream of building come true. Begun in 1887, it was completed three years later and, in 1901, the bell tower and south entry were added.
From a publication prepared for the church's centennial anniversary 10 years ago, comes information relative to the architecture and symbolism which will be of interest to many readers.
"Worshippers mount two steps outside, with one more step onto the nave at the base of the alter ' these three steps denote the three stepping stones for Christians ' baptism, confirmation or instruction, and the final step, communion."
The trefoils carved into the stonework arches over each window and door denote the Holy Trinity. Pointed window tops aim heavenward, also according to Christian symbolism, the booklet relates.
The Trinity is symbolized in the three-section windows, the green and blue glass denoting hope and meditation. The Holy Spirit is also symbolized by the eight panes contained in every window, each pane containing 12 parts, symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel dating back to the windows of King Solomon's temple.
High on the front wall of the Denmark Lutheran Church is the Messianic rose, described in Isiah where it is written that the "desert shall blossom as a rose at the coming of the glory fo God." The publication explains, "This advent (coming) of God is in Jesus Christ."
The double fleur-de-lis found at the top of the metal spire denotes the Virgin Mary; the two small circles on either side of the spire are for the Holy Trinity.
The Lutheran cross, carved of native limestone, first stood on the roof over the doorway. In 1901 when the tower and entry were added, the heavy cross was removed. It now stands to the east of the church on a memorial to the early pioneers who built the church.
The centennial brochure tells that the decision to build the church was reached in the fall of 1875. The building was to measure 46' x 26 feet, to be of native stone with a shingle roof, on a site located on the summit of a "gentle rise of ground" located on the homestead of Lars P. Nielsen, who donated the ground. The deed was recorded May 3, 1880.
Stone quarrying was done in the community from the Niels Andersen farm, the sand from the farm owned by Clarence Lessor. The lumber came from Ellsworth, a distance of 35 miles. Later, the bell tower rock came from the land of Bob Nelson.
The first regularly called pastor was the Rev. Andreas P.V. Bekker, who served from 1879 to 1883. The booklet relates that the Danish language was spoken exclusively in the church until the mid-1920s.
The community hall was built nearby in 1911.
It was in December, 1950, that a new constitution and bylaws were adopted and the church name changed to Denmark Evangelical Lutheran Community Church.
While there is some doubt as to who was the first to have been buried in the church cemetery, a 5-year-old child, J.M. Larsen (1872-1877) lies beneath a limestone marker that claims, "This is the first grave in the cemetery."
The Kansas State Historical Society has informed trustees of Denmark Lutheran Church that it has been approved by the Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
Said trustee Ruth Sorensen, (the church) "has not been admitted to the Kansas Register of Historical Places, but it has only been submitted for nomination to the National Register."
Trustees expect notification from the state historical society when word is received as to the final action taken on the nomination by the keeper of the National Register.
Properties approved for nomination to the National Register are automatically listed in the Register of Historic Kansas Places, according to Sorensen. Since 1981, the Kansas Historic Preservation Act has provided a strengthened review mechanism for projects undertaken by the state which affect properties listed on the National and Kansas registers. The law protects those places from damage or altering or isolation.
The Denmark Evangelical Lutheran Community church stands at the crossroads in Denmark, Lincoln County, in a community settled mainly by Danes in the 1870s. Construction started in 1875, but was not completed until 1880, and along in 1901, the bell tower and entry were added. The building is an example of the gable front, one-story, one-room native limestone buildings that stand throughout the state, said the Kansas Preservation Newsletter for March-April of this year.
In 125 years this part of the country has seen many changes. Small towns have withered, one-room schools have become consolidated school districts and many friends and neighbors have finished their time on this earth. But one thing has remained constant, the faith of the members of the Denmark Evangelical Lutheran Community Church.
On Sunday, Oct. 26, the church will celebrate its 125th birthday with special services and guest speaker Dr. Paul K. Formo....
The beautiful limestone building housing the congregation stands at the top of the rise of the Spillman Creek valley, where its construction was completed in 1880, with the bell tower and entryway added to the south end of the church in 1901.
The Danish language was used exclusively in the church until the mid 1920s, when occasional services in English were added. In less than a decade services would be provided in English.
An English Sunday School was organized in 1880, dropped in1884 and in 1892 revived, where it flourished unitl population declines forced it to be discontinued in 1977.
In 1911 a community hall was built. It is still used to this day for social functions, but was also used in the past for theatre productions and lectures.
A unique decoration of the Denmark Lutheran Church is the memorial model ship which hangs at the front of the church.
The replica of the Danish Navy training ship, the "Danmark," was given to the church by Arnold and Helena (Wollesen) Duus in 1879 as a memorial to Mr. and Mrs. Sophus Wollesen, pioneer members of the Denmark Church and community.
It is common to find such ships along the seaside churches of Denmark's coastline. The ships were sometimes offerings made by seamen who promised them to their church if saved from a violent storm, while others were models given as memorials. Many were given by seamen who could not afford the decorations give by wealthier farmers or merchants.
Duus learned he could purchase the materials and plans for the model from a company in Denmark and he did. After hours of work and attention to detail he presented the ship to the church for display.