Photo by John Noltner

Historic Trondhjem Church is located near Lonsdale, Minnesota in Rice County. Built by Norwegian immigrant farmers and placed on a hilltop with views of the rolling countryside, the first church on this spot was constructed in 1878. In 1899, it was redesigned and rebuilt to allow a larger building to be erected on the site.  Many elements were incorporated including the chancel which dates back to the original church.

In 1988, the Trondhjem Lutheran Church congregation relocated to a new church located a half-mile away.  The Historic Church building has been restored and is under the care of the Trondhjem Communitry Preservation Society, Inc.   In 2001, the Trondhjem Norwegian Lutheran Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its historical significance.  Also listed on the National Register of Historical Places is the cemetery which is located right across the road from the church and was established before the church building.

Trondhjem Community Preservation Society

The Trondhjem Community Preservation Society, Inc. was formed in 1988 by dedicated parish and community members. The mission of TCPS is to preserve and restore the Historic Trondhjem Church building, to collect and display the history of the community of Trondhjem, Minnesota, and to promote the use of the historic building for appropriate functions such as community events, concerts, family reunions, baptisms, and weddings.