The little church on a dead end road

SAUDE - Old country churches are full of architectural character. But eventually, they need to be updated.

And one built in 1904, like Saude Evangelical Lutheran Church, has seen several transitions over the years.

The latest one, completed this spring by Riehle Decorating of Cresco, integrated pieces of each era of the church’s history into the design.

Pastor Peter J. Faugstad, who has been the preacher for a little over six years, said the congregation was ready for a facelift. 

A pamphlet given at the rededication service on June 5, 2022 stated, “We want our church to be beautiful, a pleasant place to sing the praises of our God. but the main reason for this project is to express by the decorations of this place the beautiful things that our gracious Lord does here.”

Church members had a few pictures of the interior of the church going back to the early 1900s. “We found a picture from before the paneling was installed (in 1960). Some members said they missed how it looked, and we should think about going back,” Faugstad said.

Riehle Decorating gave a bid, and the project began.

The pastor said Dennis and Ron Riehle were great to work with. They looked at all the old pictures and the current space and took the best features and incorporated those components into the overall design. 

The paneling was likely installed because the plaster was cracking. The sanctuary from 1960 was revealed after the paneling was removed.

Riehles were pretty much given free reign to use their experience and creativity to produce a masterpiece.

They added painted scrollwork with metallic leaf accents along the ceiling, stained glass windows and chancel area.

The firm also included the Luther Seal and encircled crosses above each window on several parts of their design.

 

 

 

 

The 2022 renovation was not the first time the Riehle family was involved with Saude Lutheran Church. In 1952, the business submitted the low bid to paint the interior. In 1954, new wood materials were added to the ceiling, and Riehles offered to redecorate without charge.

Another business that has been used several times over the years was Glass Effects of Sumner. Owner Roger Bahe restored the stained glass windows in the balcony. They match the ones he installed in 1996-1997 after a hail storm broke most of the original windows. It was reported some of the glass was imbedded in the pews.

Another found treasure after the paneling was removed was two pieces of artwork on the walls on either side of the front of the church. The concept of the images were recreated on canvas, that was then edged with gold leaf and glued to the wall.

As one enters the sanctuary, his eyes are drawn to the chandelier that started out using kerosene and was lit by lowering it down and back up with a sturdy rope. In the early 1930s, it was electrified. It has been cleaned and painted over the years, illuminating congregations for generations.

The latest renovation also included putting tin on the ceiling and a bank of lights encased in two soffits running the length of the church.

Faugstad commended congregation volunteers for spending countless hours working on the project to keep expenses down. Kyle Johnson was the foreman. Many others from the Johnson family, as well as the Otters and Webster families and more, volunteered their time and talents to the ceiling, wiring and insulation installation.

One thing that was not changed was the centerpiece of the altar, the artwork by Herbjorn Gausta, “The Good Shepherd.” The painting was originally hung in the previous church. Parishioners were able to save the painting after the church was struck by lightning and burned down in 1903. 

The 2022 project cost $125,000.

Faugstad explained, in 1948, a donation of $500 from G.G. Vaala was put into an account, with the interest to be used to support the Saude school. The school closed. Over the years, the fund grew. The congregation decided to use half of the accrued amount for the project. “The other half came from pledges, which ended up being about what we needed to complete the project,” said Faugstad.

He added, “If any members of the community express interest in visiting the church, I would be happy to give them the grand tour.”

The small congregation, with lots of talent and even more faith, proves that gold is not only found at the end of a rainbow. It is also found in Saude, Iowa, on a dead end road that leads to salvation.