Denmark Evangelical Lutheran Community Church

Thank you for considering helping us out. My name is Mary Andersen and I am one of 20 members of the Denmark Evangelical Lutheran Community Church (such a big name for a tiny church). Our church is located in Denmark, Kansas and our congregation is requesting donations to help save our steeple and preserve our church. Many of you have found this page because you have connections to our community. For those of you who have never heard of Denmark please read on - we love new friends and always welcome visitors!

VELKOMMEN TO DENMARK - WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE!

As you travel on the dirt road that leads to Denmark, you will crest a hill and see the steeple of a tiny limestone church that sits in the valley below. Listen carefully and you might even hear the church bell ringing. This is the way it is, the way it has always been and with God's blessings this is the way it will continue to be.

The Demark Evangelical Lutheran Community Church was completed in 1880 by our ancestors most of whom came from Denmark, Norway or Sweden. It took five years to quarry the limestone and build the church. The first services were held in 1878 in a partially finished building. The steeple and bell tower were added in 1901 and in 1911 a community hall was built next to the church. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. (See Danske Evangelist Lutheran Kirke).

The Church and the Community Hall are more than buildings. These buildings are our legacy, our history and our heritage. They are community vaults that store generations of wonderful memories. We remember baptisms, birthdays, graduations, weddings and funerals. As we remember these events we feel the love of the people in our community who shared these memories with us. Denmark is like a town in a Hallmark movie where the buildings are more like characters and the people keep offering you coffee and cookies.

Many of the people who live in Denmark today are ancestors of the original settlers. We do our best to keep our Danish traditions and heritage alive. People come from all over to tour our community and on special occasions you can smell the Aebleskiver cooking or learn how to make Danish woven hearts. Community members and friends just recently joined hands in the annual celebration of dancing around the Christmas tree.

WHY DOES OUR CHURCH NEED A GO FUND ME AND HOW YOU CAN HELP!

Our forefathers crafted a beautiful limestone church that has been standing for nearly 150 years. The interior of the church is currently in good condition and we continue to hold services on Sunday mornings at 10:30. We are not asking for money to help with services. That would not be fair, but if you would like to join us for services, that would be wonderful! All denominations are welcome!

WE HAVE SET UP THIS GOFUNDME TO HELP WITH REPAIRS TO THE STEEPLE AND THE EXTERIOR OF THE CHURCH.

The church steeple is leaking and the paint on the steeple and on the church is peeling. The limestone of the church is in good shape but the mortar between the stones is starting to come loose and crack. We have received bids to have the work done and now we are humbly asking for some help.

DONATIONS WILL BE USED TO:

Repair the leaking steeple

Paint all exterior surfaces of the church and paint the steeple

Repoint (retuck) the mortar between the stones

We have received several bids and the total cost of these projects is estimated at $40,000.

If we do not get help, we will have to close the church and use all of our remaining funds to try to save the building. This would be the end of an era and it would be a sad day in Denmark. We are hoping this will not be the case.

We are praying that with the help of your donations and the possibility of a few grants, we will be able to keep the church in good condition and still continue to hold services.

I just love the two pictures above. They were taken within minutes of each other. These photos demonstrate both God's power and his love. We are praying with all our might that God will continue to sustain our church with the funds needed to keep it standing for many years and many generations to come.

All donations are welcome whether they be big or small. Donations will be paid directly from PayPal to the Church Treasurer.

If you would like to make a donation in memory of a loved one please note that in your comments.

We know that you all have communities and churches of your own that you support and that is what makes your contribution to our church even more special.

You can help us out by sharing our fundraiser with your friends and family, especially those that might have connections to the Denmark community. Please like and follow the Denmark Church Facebook where we will be sharing memories and stories.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078401581922

Please watch for updates to stay connected with our community and our progress.

Every Sunday mornings we will ring the church bell in honor of each donation that we receive.

Thank you so much for reading about our church, for your donation, and for helping us keep Denmark, Kansas alive and thriving!

God's blessings to you all.