The Scandia Church, with its striking white exterior, stands tall against the backdrop of a Minnesota sky. It’s a place of quiet reflection, a beacon of faith for a community that has endured a lot. This church, though it looks relatively new, has a history that dates back to the 1850s, making it one of the oldest in this part of Minnesota.
The beginnings of this church were humble. The original log cabin sanctuary sat near a lake called Hay Lake. It’s hard to imagine stepping into a cramped log cabin for a service, but that’s exactly what the first Swedish settlers who arrived in 1850 did. Back then, this church was known as Marine Country Church and, if you look closely, you might see the original log sanctuary preserved at the Gammelgarden Museum, a testament to the enduring spirit of this community.
The church, like the community it served, has seen its share of hardship. In the 1880s, a devastating tornado swept through, putting the church building to the ground. They rebuilt, only to be struck by a fire in 1907, which destroyed the church. They rebuilt twice more before the current church was constructed. Yet, they never failed to persevere, their faith stronger than ever.
The Scandia Church, like the spirit of those early Swedish settlers, is a story of resilience and a testament to the powerful bond of community. In this church, you’ll find a place of peace and reflection, a space where faith has sustained a small community for over 150 years. It’s a place you can truly sense the history of this small town.