Willow Creek Lutheran Church
N 43° 47.434 W 096° 48.671
14T E 676104 N 4850940
Norwegian pioneers homesteaded in this area in the early 1870s too far from the Norwegian Churches in northwest Minnehaha County, so the first services conducted by an ordained minister was held in the Willow Creek area private home in July, 1874.
Waymark Code: WM14KW
Location: South Dakota, United States
Date Posted: 01/13/2007
Views: 30
Many of these incoming newcomers built homes on the high ground overlooking Willow Creek. Some lived in dugout homes carved into hillsides, while others used the tough, thick prairie sod to erect "soddies," homes with walls and roofs of prairie sod. A few were able to harvest enough timber growing along the creek to build log cabins. Most of the early worshiper gatherings were held in these primitive homes.
An itinerant preacher, Hans Zahl Hvid, conducted the service. Pastor Hvid was a circuit rider whose ministry stretched from Nobles County, MN, to the James River in Dakota Territory.
A year later on 27 June 1875 the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Willow Creek was organized. Although a cemetery three miles south of this site was opened and dedicated in 1876, because financial resources were unavailable, almost ten years passed before the congregation decided to build.
Sam K. Ducken donated land for the church site and for the ;resent cemetery, and most of the remains buried in the older cemetery were then moved to the new cemetery. In 1886 a Ladies Aid Society was established to raise the funds needed, including a half-ton church bell, and finally on 19 November 1893, the Willow Creek congregation celebrated the dedication of their new house of worship.
In 1919 after younger members asked to have services in English, it was voted to have one or two Norwegian services for each English service. By 1934 all congregation minutes were written in English.
Dedicated to the memory of the founders and to honor all members of Willow Creek Lutheran who have kept their steadfast faith for over 125 years with the Word of God as their guide.
Marker Name: Willow Creek Lutheran Church
Marker Type: Roadside
Marker Text: Not listed
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