National Register Listing

Viking Lutheran Church

a.k.a. South Viking Norwegian Lutheran Church

SE of Maddock, Maddock, ND
Once a common sight throughout the state, the Viking Lutheran Church represents a dwindling number of unaltered country churches built in a tradition popular in the early years of settlement. As rural populations diminish or relocate, many of these churches must be abandoned for more centrally located places of worship. Empty, they stand victims to vandalism and natural deterioration. The Viking Church, however, remains essentially unaltered and in excellent condition because its members, through three generations, have identifed themselves with the historic and cultural roots of the church.

Neither purely neo-classical nor Victorian Gothic, the Viking Church exhibits the same combination of exterior style and detail common to rural wood frame churches in the mid-west. This familiar combination of stylistic elements in the Viking Lutheran Church creates a powerful visual image of a lifestyle now threatened by increased urbanization in even the most rural states.

More than a visual image to its members, the Viking Church remains a center of social interaction and moral and religious instruction. Each Sunday, Viking Church members worship together as their ancestral families first worshipped. Newly arrived in 1887 from Spring Grove, Minnesota, these pioneer Norwegians organized themselves under a constitution, invited pastors from the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church and held services in the home of Timan Quarve. In the same year the first baptism was celebrated and months later, an infant was buried. Land donated by Andrew K. Gilbertson for the burial became the Norwegian's cemetery. Six years later, adjacent land was chosen for the church site.

In 1903, Viking Church proper was complete and by 1909, the church was part of a small trade center made up of a general goods store, blacksmith shop and meat market. All of these enterprises stood a few yards from the church. None are extant today.

The church was formally dedicated in 1909 when it hosted the first regular meeting of the North Dakota District of the Northwest Synod of the Norwegian Evangelical Church of America. This meeting drew representatives from North and South Dakota, Montana, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. No longer an entity, the Norwegian Evangelical Church became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church which is today part of the American Lutheran Church,
Local significance of the building:
Exploration/settlement; Architecture; Religion; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

Lutheran denomination churches religion
Audiobooks about the history of North Dakota.
North Dakota has the highest percentage of residents of Norwegian ancestry of any state in the U.S. Today, many towns and cities in the state still celebrate their Norwegian heritage with festivals, parades, and other events.
North Dakota random facts
Benson County, ND has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by Native Americans, particularly the Dakota Sioux tribes, who relied on hunting, fishing, and farming for sustenance. European settlers began to arrive in the mid-19th century, with the establishment of military forts and trading posts.

In 1884, Benson County was officially established, named after B.W. Benson, a territorial legislator. The county saw a significant influx of settlers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attracted by the promise of free land through the Homestead Act. The agriculture industry boomed, with farmers cultivating wheat, barley, and oats. Towns and villages sprang up, including Maddock, the county seat, and Minnewaukan, the largest community.

However, the county faced several challenges over the years. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, many farmers suffered from drought and financial difficulties. The Dust Bowl also had a severe impact on the region, leading to soil erosion and crop failures. The construction of the Garrison Dam in the 1940s further disrupted the county, as it resulted in the loss of fertile farmland and the relocation of communities.

Despite these challenges, Benson County has adapted and thrived over time. The agriculture industry remains a cornerstone of the economy, although it has diversified to include livestock, dairy farming, and the production of biofuels. The county also boasts beautiful landscapes, with several recreational opportunities in the area, such as fishing, hunting, and boating on nearby lakes.

Today, Benson County continues to honor its history while looking towards the future. Its resilient community and dedication to preserving its agricultural heritage make it a unique and thriving part of North Dakota.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Benson County, North Dakota.

  • 1883 - Benson County was established on March 9.
  • 1888 - The county seat was established in Minnewaukan.
  • 1911 - The Butte St. Paul Catholic Church was constructed in Maddock.
  • 1930 - The Minnewaukan Public School, known as the "Castle on the Hill," was built.
  • 1948 - The North Dakota State Highway Department built a bridge connecting the mainland and Pelican Island.
  • 1969 - The Spirit Lake Tribe established a reservation within the boundaries of Benson County.
  • 1990 - The White Horse Hill National Game Preserve was established on lands adjacent to Devils Lake.