St Olafs Kirk

Deep in the heart of Texas, located on Bosque County Road 4145 between Cranfills Gap and Clifton, is what the local people call “The Rock Church.” Built in 1886 by Norwegian settlers in the area, Saint Olaf Lutheran Church (St Olafs Kirke – as it is carved above the doorway) still serves as a place of worship.

Immigrants from Norway first began settling in Bosque County in 1854. Most days were spent clearing land, building shelter, harvesting food, and providing for everyday essentials. But Sundays were days of rest and for gathering to worship in homes.

In 1886, St Olafs Kirke (The Rock Church) was built with mostly volunteer labor by church members, using rocks hauled from the mountain to the south. The church has neither running water nor electricity and is heated by an old wood-burning stove. Both the stove and the Vocalion Reed Pump Organ (a rare instrument which has been recently restored), were manufactured before 1900. The hand-painted finish on the pews mimic more expensive wood. Pews, floors, and light fixtures are all original. In 1897, the Ladies Aid Organization purchased the Swedish bell which still hangs in the bell tower. An hour before services were to begin, the bell would ring, reminding people, “This is Sunday. Come to church.”

Rev. J.K. Rystad, who was pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Norse (est. 1869), also served the new congregation at The Rock Church from 1886 until 1902, when St. Olaf ’s congregation was able to support a preacher of its own. Church membership had grown enough by 1917 to require the “new” St. Olaf Church be built in Cranfills Gap. The congregation is responsible for both church buildings. Services were conducted in Norwegian until the 1940s.

St Olafs Kirke is used for special services at Easter, Christmas Eve, and other planned events. It is a favorite spot for a quiet, simple wedding service, and serves on occasion for baptisms or funerals. The adjacent cemetery has been expanded to almost 3,000 spaces.

The peacefulness of the quiet church on the hill is hard to believe until you are there. Bird song as accompaniment, soft breezes as air conditioning, and candles as lighting make a wedding at the Rock Church so memorable.

But all is not so primitive. The Gathering Place was constructed in 2013 with the generous support of church members, former members, friends, and neighbors. This muchneeded facility is equipped with a full kitchen, restrooms, a bride’s dressing room, and storage space. The building is handicap accessible and climate controlled.

The Gathering Place accommodates approximately 50 people and is ideal for wedding receptions, family reunions, grave side family gatherings, meeting venues, and other events.

Located at 2680 CR 4145 · Cranfills Gap, Texas 76637 the Rock Church is the perfect oasis for your special occasion. For more information direct your questions to Geneva Finstad 254-597- 2453 or 214-949-0711 or e-mail: info@ rockchurch-gap.com.