Brown Earth Indian Church
2 mi. east of Stockholm, South Dakota on Hwy. 20,
then 1 mi. north, 1/4 mi. west
The Brown Earth Church or "Old Indian Church" near Stockholm, SD was built in 1877 by Sisseton and Wahpeton Indians. It was first served by the Rev. Daniel Renville, a Presbyterian missionary of French-Indian lineage. It is believed to have been the first church erected in Grant County, Dakota Territory. Rev. Renville and his wife extended many courtesies to white settlers. After the settlelment was abandoned, relatives would come from Flandreau to care for the church and cemetery.
In 1892 it was purchased by Swedish Christians from Stockholm and used by them until 1899 when it was sold to the Evangelical Free Church congregation in Stockholm. The Grant County Commissioners bought the church in 1905.
The church served many of the early settlers in the Stockholm and Strandburg areas for many years. The Stockholm-Strandburg American Legion maintained the grounds for many years as well as completing a major restoration of the building in 1929.
Home Page
News Articles
Weddings
Back
Next
