In the last article of OLD RED/OLD TEN I wrote about the many historic churches along the Old Red Trail. One church that has survived in spite of the loss of the town is Sims Lutheran Church.
It speaks to the faith and courage of the congregation. “Built on a rock the church doth stand, Even when steeples are falling; Crumbled have spires in every land, Bells still are chiming and calling”. These are words of a great hymn but certainly typify the Sims Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church which was founded on September 30, 1884 with 35 people. It is the oldest Lutheran congregation west of the Missouri River in North Dakota.
The members of the Sims Lutheran church built a parsonage in 1884 and the church services were held on the second floor and the pastor’s living area was on the first floor. Rev. O. J. Norby was the first pastor with a salary of $300.00 per year. In 1897 the congregation decided to plan and build a church building. The first meeting in the new church building was held in 1898; however many furnishings were added in later years.
Sims was once a town of approximately 1000 people and was begun when the railroad reached Sims in 1879. The town was surveyed and laid out in 1883. The main industry was coal but also the early pioneers found that there was a bed of clay and bricks were manufactured. Bricks were made for the capital in Bismarck as well as houses, the hotel, stores, and homes in Sims. The history of this community is rich, unique, and extraordinary. Through the many years the town has become a ghost town, but the church is strong and vibrant. Services are held twice a month.
In the beginning years of 2000-2002, Joel and Donna Johnson of Sims (and Almont) applied for a grant from “Preservation North Dakota – Save America’s Treasures” to help in restoration of the old church and parsonage. The grant was received and countless hours by many people were spent cleaning, painting, wallpapering and decorating. The parsonage is beautiful and restored to the days of 1884. The church is so exceptional with the raised pulpit, organ, altar and the entire interior.
Probably the hi-lite for the Sims Lutheran Church was a visit from former First Lady Laura Bush in October, 2008. First Lady Laura Bush was honorary chairwoman of the Save America’s Treasures. It was a very special day for Sims with a bustling of activity, a potluck, stories to share, etc. She noted that places like the Sims church are “America’s story” and represent “the values that make America strong.” She praised the work of Preservation North Dakota as well, as they work to preserve prairie churches like Sims Lutheran.
Joel and Donna Johnson of Sims and Almont, the folks who spearheaded the restoration of the church and parsonage, would be happy to give tours of the area in the spring and summer.
Be well, do good work and see you on OLD RED.
***The above information was taken from the book, “A Prairie Heritage” and articles from the Almont/Sims website: www.sims-almont.us
Why not take a drive along OLD RED/OLD TEN and view some of our historic churches?
Did you know? OLD RED/OLD TEN SCENIC BYWAY is only five miles longer than Interstate 94. Be well, do good work, and see you on OLD RED.
~ Delores Klusman
January 20, 2012
Longtime Old Red Old Ten Scenic Byway Committee member and volunteer (9.8.1940 – 11.6.2019)
OLD RED/OLD TEN SCENIC BYWAY
Before Highways there were trails