Thursday, March 28, 2013

New Scandinavia Lutheran Church Rebuilt

 New Scandinavia Lutheran Church
Fall of 2008

I used to drive past this little church several times a week, and everyone was horrified when we heard that the building had been destroyed by fire. That was in December 2010. It seems that two local young men were out hunting for trouble and money. When they found no money in the church, it angered one of them and he decided to set the place aflame. But they did find trouble. They both ended up in jail...at least for a very short while.


 The old church spire


 New Scandinavia Lutheran Church

Last year, we were happy to hear that the church decided to rebuild on that same spot out in the country, rather than join another local congregation in town.

After they put on that first structure above the main roof, that cube-shaped thing, and roofed it, Kevin announced that there wouldn't be a spire. 

'They can't not have a spire,' I insisted.

'No, they're not going to put a spire on it. Look. They've already roofed that little square addition.' I know he was just giving me a hard time at this point, but still...

'I don't care if they've already roofed it. I imagine that they're waiting for whomever it was they commissioned to build the the spire. It'll be there. Just wait.'

Seeming ages went by and one day I got a text message from our son saying that he had just driven past New Scandinavia and they have a spire on top.   YEA!!!!!!!!!

Okay. So why was this so important??  a. Because I loved driving past that little church at night and seeing the white Cross shining in the darkness and b. Because it's nice to be right once in a great while.

That little white cross on New Scandinavia Lutheran Church in rural Wisconsin is a testimony to Jesus' death on the Cross -  paying for our sins - and giving forgiveness and new life to all who trust in Him.

Everyone who drives past is reminded, by that simple yet profound symbol.

NEW New Scandinavia Lutheran Church
Almost done and ready to move in.
Photos taken March 22, 2013


I'd like all churches to have a spire with a cross on top -  illuminated, so that all can see it as they drive past at night.








Photobucket



This post may be linked to some of the following:Freedom Fridays and  Anything Blue Friday and  Serenity Saturday and Inspiration Friday(ThursNite) and  Photo Friday and  A Favorite Thing Saturday and Sunny Simple Sunday and Sunlit Sunday 

27 comments:

Paulette said...

There is such beauty in a simple white church with a spire, but I love it when the church also has a functioning bell. How I enjoy the peel of a church bell on Sunday morning.

Unknown said...

I agree about the spire.. I think they are lovely and all churches should WANT to have them :)

Judy said...

I think a church isn't a church without a spire on top. How sad about the church, I will never understand why people do things like that.

MadSnapper said...

glad they added the spire, it is a crime that the beautiful church was destroyed, that spire was gorgeous. our church back in the 90's did not have a spire and we wanted one, someone donated the 5000 to put a very plane spire on, and a few weeks later the roof started leaking and we had to use the money for a new roof. never did get the spire

Deanna said...

Our church has a spire and is lit up every night. Since the church sits on perhaps the highest hill in town, it can be seen for long distances at night. We also have bells which I adore. I know it isn't the building that makes a church but it does sadden me that so many churches these days just look like auditoriums.

podso said...

How nice that they kept the spire so similar to the old one! A beautiful post. It reminds me of when my husband flew into Seoul, South Korea, at night, He was so impressed by the hundreds of white crosses on top of churches, lit up across the city.

Donna said...

What a beauty! And how wonderful that they rebuilt!

Unknown said...

Just love the photos, so simple, so pretty and such an example of faith.
Have a wonderful Easter.

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

So glad that they rebuilt the church and added the spire! It's lovely.
Happy Easter!

Ruth Kelly said...

The spire has a definite meaning and should be there. It is lovely.

Chatty Crone said...

I wish we had one on our church - God never gives up! sandie

Unknown said...

What a beautiful beautiful Church - you MUST take more photos of this as the seasons change ( it's my favorite type of Church by far ) Montreal is filled with such majestic Churches and Cathedrals - but these white country like Churches melt my heart!
Hugs,
Suzan
( p.s. I thought you were ALWAYS right? )

Terri D said...

I love that they built it back the way it was before the fire. It is a lovely 'old' church again!!

I still can't post a comment from BlogLovin. Is anyone else having this problem? I have to go to Google Reader to post a comment. I'm not having trouble with any of the other blogs - just this one. I'm sorry!!

Unknown said...

Hopped over from another blog -I like how they changed the tower! Now the building is even lovelier!
Wishing you a beautiful Easter/Resurrection Day!

Rachel said...

I agree with you about the spire! It's such a pretty church!! :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful church, reminds me of home :) I love that spire.

Debra Hawkins said...

It breaks my heart that anybody would even think about burning down a church. I am glad they decided to rebuild it. It is beautiful!

Carla from The River said...

Hi Judy,
My husband has a co worker that New Scandinavia Lutheran is their home church. We have heard several amazing stories about how many items were saved in the fire! Praise God!

Great Post!

Judy S. said...

Glad they rebuilt! I'll bet that church has an interesting history. BTW, I am posting from Bloglovin' but had to load your whole blog rather than going to the most recent post and posting.

Denise said...

Very beautiful.

Unknown said...

we have a new St.Patrick's Catholic church built with a lighted spire...it can be seen from I-80 along Iowa City, Ia. it's beautiful, but i love our St.Mary's downtown which has a carillon bells every Sunday morning!! shame on those boys for their devastation of a piece of church history!
^)^ linda

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

So pretty!

Pat said...

I agree that the cross was an important part of the spire and a beautiful symbol for the faithful and those seeking. Glad it is restored!

Unknown said...

I love the classic little white churches:)) Thanks so much for sharing this story at Freedom Fridays Blog Hop.

Hugs

PS Now following via Linky and GFC

J_on_tour said...

Wonderful photo of the new building.

I noticed this post once in RSS feed which reminded me of the original stories you told about it. It disappeared from my settings but I searched and found it. I'm so pleased that they rebuilt this classic building. The Spire and the Cross are an important feature not just in the architectural design but as a subliminal sign and reminder to all who pass of what's been done both recently and 2000 years ago.

Helene said...

This is my home church. My father's family was raised there, and he was raised, confirmed, married and buried there. I was raised there from the age of 5 and confirmed there as well. I live out of state now but can't wait to visit it next month! Thanks for the post!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

hey, i just saw this church you linked to "Inspired Sunday" ... what a beauty. a church without a spire is so sad ... they go hand and hand, at least i think so.

rainy here in VA. enjoy your week. ( :

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