The Old Danish Church

Story from Off The Beaten Path written by John Purvis

The first Danes arrived in Sheffield and settled the area in 1854, holding their first services in 1868. St. Peters Danish Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in 1869 and by 1873 they had 33 members. Originally they had bought a small church which proved to be too small so a new church was built and dedicated on September 112th, 1880. The Sheffield congregation also has the distinction of being the oldest Danish Lutherans in America.

When the new church opened they boasted 150 members and dues were: $7.00 a year for farmers with 80 acres or more, $6.00 a year for those with less than 80 acres, bachelors were asked to pay 4.00 a year and spinsters paid the least, $2.00 a year. Pastors were paid $500.00 a year. Eight years after opening its doors membership had risen to 200 members and the congregation was thriving.

Over the years alterations were done and undone. Some of the historical discoveries made include original stenciling along the top of the inner walls, a painted mural was discovered behind Continue on page 18

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Continue from page 17 the altar during a renovation. Original frescoes were found on the ceiling and the original baptismal font was

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In one corner is a replica of the “Danmark” a Danish naval cadet training ship used in WW II. There are two bells in the steeple both of which work and are rung for special occasions. In 1973 the church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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