“Each time I come down to Nora Church, I am again renewed by the wonderful feel of this place and where the church sits. Somehow this is holy land. Any of you who have stood in the cemetery and gazed across the fields, seen the distant trees etched against a flaming sunset sky have perhaps felt it. Depth, a vast openness, a sense of great sustenance that supports our lives as the soil supports our livelihoods and food. This place, this hill in Brown County, is one of those places where the deep core of things comes closer to the surface; close enough to touch the perceptions of our Spirits, and to bring us into a deep calm. It is a place where the great silent voice of the earth can be heard with the ears of the heart. Next time you’re there, take a moment to listen. Walk on the hill, listen to your heart and let your spirit rest on the solid ground of being that sustains all things.”
--- Written by the Rev. Phil Harper, who served us as an interim minister.
Click on the thumbnail pictures below to enlarge them.
The Parsonage
This Victorian home was built in 1906. It was first occupied by the Rev.
and Mrs. Amandus Norman until his death in 1931. Dr. Norman served as our second minister
from 1893 - 1931. The house serves as the parsonage for our current minister.
The Log Cabin / Museum
One of the most unique features of the Nora Church grounds is the Log
House Museum, or more properly the Ole Jorgensen Memorial Museum. It stands south of the
church proper near a beautiful spreading white oak tree. The log house structure brings to
mind in a meaningful way the early pioneers who struggled against such great odds to build
a church home on this hill. Their household artifacts are here, the treasures they brought
from Norway are here, and the very logs they hewed from the wilderness make up its walls.
By tradition, the flower service is performed on the last Sunday before the summer break. Before the service, each member is asked to bring a flower and add it to several vases of flowers. These flowers represent our church community which is accepting of all. At the end of the service, individuals are asked to come forward and take a different flower than what he/she brought. Again, this represents the acceptance and respect that we all have for each other.
The Norwegian Smörgåsbord
Nora Church has had a proud history of our yearly Smörgåsbord, but now
with the continuing concern of the COVID-19 pandemic and our dwindling
congregation we are sad to say that we are not able to continue our
Smörgåsbord tradition.
Please view slide shows of some of our past Smörgåsbords to
remember what good times we had.
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