Home»All Photographs»Churches of North Dakota

With over 2000 of them, North Dakota is well known for its prairie churches. Represented by a number of nationalities and a variety of religious denominations, most of the churches are located in the countryside. Here they were the focus of community life for the immigrant farmers. The declining rural population has left the churches abandoned or in various states of preservation. Many continue to hold a summer service as families return for memorial gatherings.
While photographing these churches, I mentioned to a woman how surprised and appreciative I was that many were unlocked.
She replied with, "Well, this IS North Dakota."