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In June 2003, our historic, Icelandic church and all the artifacts and furnishings were destroyed by a fire. Our church was unique in that most of the interior artifacts and furnishings were the original items from the pioneer days. Photos are available in the photo gallery. It is so important to preserve our past. It will benefit those in the future and share with them knowledge and appreciation of our history and our roots.
No one was injured in the fire but those in the community were devastated. The pain and sadness of this loss was also felt and acknowledged by many people who have moved out of the community for their careers. News of the loss was carried in many newspapers including Iceland and Canada. See the News Stories page to read them.
The burned site was left as it was until after the annual Icelandic Heritage Celebration. After “August the Deuce,” the cleanup began. The foundation of the church was preserved and black dirt was put in place both inside and outside the foundation.
In the summer of 2004, a “living prairie memorial garden” was planted within the foundation of the church building. A stone walkway, which mimics the original aisles of the church, has been installed. These paths will lead visitors through the site. Grasses and wildflowers native to the North Dakota prairie were planted.
The purchase of a bronze replica of the Thorvaldsen Christus Statue was approved by the congregation at the January 28, 2006 annual meeting. (Albert) Bertel Thorvaldsen, (1770-1844), was the son of an Icelander who had settled in Denmark, and there carried on the trade of a woodcarver.
He attended Copenhagen's Royal Danish Academy of Art, winning all the prizes including the large Gold Medal. In 1819, he visited Denmark. Here he was commissioned to make the colossal series of statues of Christ and the twelve Apostles for the rebuilding of Vor Frue Kirke later known as the Copenhagen Cathedral. These were executed after his return to Rome, and were not completed till 1838, when Thorvaldsen returned to Denmark.
He bequeathed a great part of his fortune for the building and endowment of a museum in Copenhagen, and also left to fill it all his collection of works of art and the models for all his sculptures very large collection, exhibited to the greatest possible advantage. Thorvaldsen is buried in the courtyard of this museum, under a bed of roses, by his own special wish.
Icon Bronze and the artist, DJ Bawden was chosen to design the Thorvaldesen Christus statue replica. You may see more about them by clicking on their names.
Interpretive panels were the next step in the design. Pam Furstenau researched the history with many local people and historical writings. She obtained photos and combined all the gathered pieces of information to help tell the Thingvalla Story.
The panels were built by M Squared from Bismark, ND and installed in July 2007 onto a cement base.
The old trees were removed and new trees were placed to the north of the memorial panels.
The dedication ceremony was held on August 3, 2007.
Donations for the memorial are being gratefully accepted. Please send them to:
Thingvalla Cemetery Association
13041 84th St NE
Edinburg, ND 58227
For questions or more information about the Thingvalla Church and Cemetery Association, e-mail Curtis Olafson, President, Thingvalla Cemetery Association.
For questions, comments, or suggestions for this website
contact the webmaster, Pam Furstenau
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