history

The Luverne Christian Reformed Church had its beginning when several families of Reformed conviction began to meet, in the spring of 1941, in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Peter Block. Rev. Paul De Koekkoek, pastor of the Hills, MN, Christian Reformed Church, led the services. The group grew in number so that, at its spring meeting of 1944, Classis Sioux Center permitted the congregation to organize and to elect its own officebearers. Later that same year the congregation purchased what was then known as the Jones’ Sisters property, which was located at 609 N. Estey in Luverne. The property included a large house, which served for several years as both church (main floor) and parsonage (upstairs).

It’s barely large enough to seat three people, but for nearly 50 years, the Wayside Chapel along U.S. 75, north of Luverne, has provided a sanctuary for thousands of weary travelers to rest and reflect.

There are few, if any, of its kind still in use today in southwest Minnesota, but for the parishioners of the Christian Reformed Church in Luverne, their little chapel on the hill will continue to spread the word of God for as long as members are willing to restock the devotionals and scriptures offered within.

The chapel has stood as a beacon on a hill overlooking the Blue Mounds since it was dedicated on June 30, 1963, just months after church members decided to build it.

That mission, as adopted by the church when the chapel was dedicated, reads: “For all those in this community who seek quiet in the midst of storm, who seek relief from burden and anxiety, who seek peace beyond the understanding of mankind, who seek a restful place to pray and worship, for all those who travel through our community, for those who have forgotten God and for years have not appeared in his house, for those who have never forgotten God, for those on business, for those seeking pleasure and vacation, for those who flee from the past and trouble, for those who are tired and need rest, for these we dedicate this chapel.”

The history book states that more than 40,000 people had visited the chapel by the end of its first summer on the hill. After two years, the number of visitors had grown to 100,000.