A long time Pass Lake Salem Lutheran Church parishioner says she was devastated and numb when she got the call about the historical church going up in flames Tuesday.
Debby Jensen says it is a huge historical loss.
“Pioneers built this with their hands with all volunteer labour, they cut the trees themselves and hauled them by horses to build the church. My great-grandfather donated the property, he was one of the pioneers, one of the first family to move and establish Pass Lake. The community of settlers decided they should build a church because no community is a community without a church,” Jensen said.
Jensen says the congregation will now have to meet to see if they will rebuild again.
She goes on to say Pass Lake Volunteer Fire has told them the church documents have been recovered from the fireproof safe.
Jensen says unfortunately many historical artifacts weren’t so lucky including their many crosses and a painting in the front of the church.
“The painting at the front of our church was painted by an artist in Denmark who heard of our church being built. She painted this beautiful picture of Jesus with children gathering around his feet. We have pictures of the beautiful painting but that’s all,” Jensen said.
Photo Supplied by Debby Jensen (Salem Church 1932)
Salem Church Interior 1946
Salem Church Interior 2019
