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Faith United Lutheran, Yankton County.
Faith United Lutheran, Yankton County.
Pleasant Valley Lutheran, Clay County.
Pleasant Valley Lutheran, Clay County.
The former LaValley Presbyterian (now privately owned), Lincoln County.
The former LaValley Presbyterian (now privately owned), Lincoln County.
Lebanon Lutheran, Grant County.
Lebanon Lutheran, Grant County.
Bonilla Presbyterian, Beadle County.
Bonilla Presbyterian, Beadle County.
St. Anthony’s (known as the Cathedral on the Prairie) in Hoven, Potter County.
St. Anthony’s (known as the Cathedral on the Prairie) in Hoven, Potter County.
Wewela United Church of Christ, Tripp County.
Wewela United Church of Christ, Tripp County.
Zion Lutheran, Roberts County.
Zion Lutheran, Roberts County.
Inside Zion Lutheran, Roberts County.
Inside Zion Lutheran, Roberts County.
Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Trail City, Corson County.
Queen of the Holy Rosary Church in Trail City, Corson County.
Hutterthal Mennonite Church, Hutchinson County.
Hutterthal Mennonite Church, Hutchinson County.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish in Grenville, Day County.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish in Grenville, Day County.
Pleasant Hill Chapel, Union County.
Pleasant Hill Chapel, Union County.
Clark Center Lutheran, Clark County.
Clark Center Lutheran, Clark County.
Frost on Telemarken Lutheran’s fence, along the Clark and Codington County line.
Frost on Telemarken Lutheran’s fence, along the Clark and Codington County line.
Roseni Lutheran, Union County.
Roseni Lutheran, Union County.
Ben Clare United Methodist, Minnehaha County.
Ben Clare United Methodist, Minnehaha County.
Salem Methodist with star trails, along the South Dakota/Minnesota state line southwest of Pipestone, Minnesota.
Salem Methodist with star trails, along the South Dakota/Minnesota state line southwest of Pipestone, Minnesota.
St. Peter on the Prairie, Lake County.
St. Peter on the Prairie, Lake County.
Zion Lutheran with sun dogs, Minnehaha County.
Zion Lutheran with sun dogs, Minnehaha County.
Zoar Lutheran at sunset, Day County.
Zoar Lutheran at sunset, Day County.
St. Anne’s Church, Lake County.
St. Anne’s Church, Lake County.
State Game Chapel, Custer State Park, Custer County.
State Game Chapel, Custer State Park, Custer County.
Formerly Clara Lutheran Church adorned with holiday lighting at Joy Ranch, Codington County.
Formerly Clara Lutheran Church adorned with holiday lighting at Joy Ranch, Codington County.

Winter Sanctuaries

Dec 16, 2020

Christmas time has rolled around again. This season has been a little different than most. First, there is little to no snow, and second, we all have felt the anxiety and angst of a turbulent year. Somehow, the last few months have seemed to ratchet those feelings up a notch. That means it’s a perfect time for a holiday celebrating peace, love and goodwill. As for the lack of snow, I recently heard a wise farmer quip, “If there is going to be a drought, I want it to be in winter.”

Some of my fondest memories of Christmas took place in the church my family attended in Isabel. Starting with the first Sunday in Advent, our little congregation turned up the volume when Christmas hymns came out. With an organ and piano leading the way, we would rattle the windows on “Joy to the World” and make a joyful noise attempting to hit every note on the chorus of “Angels We Have Heard on High.”

The best part of Advent was the Christmas Eve service. Small brown bags full of peanuts, old-fashioned hard candy and apples were handed out on arrival. We’d sing favorite hymns, light candles and then every family exchanged gifts and cards. It seemed every face wore a broad smile. Many of those faces now gone. There was Art the usher, who gave each of us kids a piece of candy after Sunday school. Molly, a widow with the kindest heart you’d ever meet. And Chris, who created the most interesting gifts made of polished agate and other rocks. Incidentally, Chris was also hard of hearing and always revved his car engine to near jet-level decibels when leaving (which we boys loved). I could go on with memories of revered Sunday school teachers, old friends and manger scenes.

I suppose these memories are part of the reason I have enjoyed seeking out and photographing country churches. The buildings are not only pleasing to the eye, but they stand for so much more. Community. Faith. Family. Love. Death. Forgiveness. Hope. These are the things I remember when I think about my time growing up in church.

I started creating an annual “Prairie Sanctuaries” calendar in 2014. Each month features a different country church with a photo taken in that same month. For this month’s column, I thought it would be visually interesting, as well as poignant, to pull together a collection of winter scenes featuring these prairie churches. I’ve included a couple of brand-new photos taken on December 13, a very frosty day in northeast South Dakota. It was some of the only wintry white we’ve experienced this season. Seeing the church steeples and frost immediately put me in the Christmas spirit. As I wandered through the nearby cemeteries and along the wrought iron fences, the memories of all those smiling faces and joyous times at my little church rose up and lingered for a sweet moment like the fading tendrils of smoke from the candles in the window.

Christian Begeman grew up in Isabel and now lives in Sioux Falls. When he's not working at Midco he is often on the road photographing South Dakota’s prettiest spots. Follow Begeman on his blog.

Comments

07:41 am - Thu, December 17 2020
Wayne Stowsand said:
Very nice tribute to the churches of SD. Is the photo of Zion Lutheran in Minnehaha County the church near Hartford and Wall Lake? My relatives were instrumental in the starting of that church.
08:05 am - Thu, December 17 2020
Christian said:
Yes, that is the church. Located about three miles northwest of Wall Lake junction on Highway 42. Also Makoce Washte Prairie (Nature Conservancy) and Dewey Gevik Nature Area are just to the south as well. All great places to explore with a camera in hand. Merry Christmas!
09:16 am - Thu, December 17 2020
Gene V Hetland said:
Well done, as always, Christian! So many of us South Dakotans grew up going to small or rural churches. In my case it was St. Peter Lutheran Church of Orland, now St. Peter on the Prairie. I can trace virtually all of my faith foundation to that very special place. The changing face of rural South Dakota, and the de-population of those communities, have meant the demise of many rural churches, but the lessons taught there live within us, and they are never forgotten. Thank you for your efforts to keep these holy places in our minds- and Merry Christmas, my friend!
12:23 pm - Thu, December 17 2020
Craig Libis said:
Well done my friend! Fond memories of Christmas' in Isabel. Love the calendars. Thanks! Mom loves them as well.

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