Manitoba Municipal Heritage Site No. 111
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Designation Date: March 14, 1994 Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, established by a long-standing Icelandic congregation, is a fine example of the economy, simplicity and commitment that pioneer communities brought to the development of local worship facilities in the early 1900s. The wooden structure, prominent on its corner site in Langruth, is straightforward in its design, massing and appointments, but not without elements of distinction, including a crenellated tower, Gothic Revival detailing and well-crafted interior woodwork. Construction of a permanent building where services could be conducted in Icelandic was a seminal achievement for the Herdubried Lutheran Congregation, formed in 1906 and for many years served by itinerant ministers from other communities. A mix of paid and volunteer workers erected the structure, while locals contributed fittings, including an elegant platform enclosure built by master cabinetmaker Carl Lindal. Expanded and renamed in the 1960s, this stalwart church remains active today, attended by a largely English-speaking membership. |
