The Valley Grove Country Social

It was a nice afternoon for the Valley Grove Country Social. It was cloudy, but no rain. A blue-sky backdrop would have been nice, but looking out from on top of the hill to the surrounding prairie and farmland is a beautiful sight no matter what the weather.

I never tire of this scene approaching these two historic churches.

The fall Country Social, which I incorrectly called Valley Grove’s fall festival, began its annual affair with a two-day event in 1995. Back then it was a local artist’s exhibit in the two churches. Various fall events took place during the ensuing years, all with different names.

This photo was taken in fall of 2020, when the sky was blue. We visit Valley Grove many times throughout the year. It’s one of my favorite places.

It wasn’t until 2002 that it officially became titled the annual “Valley Grove Country Social”, held the third weekend in September. It Is a fundraiser, and chance for folks to enjoy the area, and to learn about this very special place…two churches, a cemetery, and 52 acres of restored prairie.

A beautiful view, no matter what the weather.

This year there were a few artist’s works displayed, but it mostly was a time for joining in on two walks; a cemetery story tour led by Jeff Sauve a local historian and author, and/or a prairie walk. 

Plus, both churches were open to explore. They are both on the National Register of Historic Places. Refreshments were for sale in the 1862 stone church with photo books on display, and a few artist gifts available to buy. There was four exquisite tapestries (see below) hanging on the walls.

The bell tower on the 1894 wooden church. The bell weighing 1,433 pounds was moved from the stone church to the wood church when it was built in 1894. Using a pulley system with rope and horse power, the bell never touched the ground as it was transferred from one church to the other.

There was outdoor background music by two different Nordic groups, recitals in the 1894 church, displays and hands-on activities for everyone, and the members of the Valley Grove Preservation Society were in attendance to answer any questions you had about these two historic and beautiful churches. The group works hard to maintain these remarkable churches built by Norwegian immigrants in the 1800’s.

There were several highlights for me this Sunday afternoon… 

One was leisurely meandering the grounds, and running into people we recognized, stopping to chat…soaking in the energy of folks excited to be here in this wonderful space.

One visitor brought his pet goats.

Another highlight was the cemetery story tour with Jeff Sauve. It was interesting. He’s a great storyteller!

A view looking towards the prairie from the churches…in the corner is where the beloved, old oak tree used to stand.

Riding in a horse-drawn wagon through the surrounding prairie, which the preservation society also maintains, was fun.

Two beautiful horses…Percherons.
The horse-drawn wagon ride was popular with folks.

And, I really enjoyed seeing four beautiful tapestries on display in the old stone church.

This tapestry depicts the 1894 white wooden church, birds in the area, the Minnesota state flower and also the dwarf trout lily (found in Rice County, one of three places in the world).

Funded by a grant, a Minneapolis textile artist, Robbie LeFleur, was hired to depict the Valley Grove churches and life in Valley Grove, back in the day.

The tapestry for the 1862 Stone Church. It was common at that time for women in the area to raise chickens and sell their eggs.

LeFleur designed and created the tapestries (20”X26”) using a traditional Norwegian type of handiwork.

Nils. A. Quamman was the longest serving pastor for the congregation. According to church lore, he sometimes skied from Farmington to Valley Grove, staying overnight with parishioners.

The tapestries were made to hang beneath four light sconces in the stone church. Each tapestry had a write-up explaining the various scenes on each one.

This tapestry depicts the beautiful old oak tree that grew tall and wide in the corner of the cemetery, and was felled by a storm in 2018. It is surrounded by animals of the area.

What a lovely display to peruse on a delightful afternoon at Valley Grove, one of my favorite places!

4 thoughts on “The Valley Grove Country Social”

  1. I so enjoyed your take on the Valley Grove Country Social. I especially love your horse images. The whole event was, as you indicate, fun and informative, with a strong sense of community.

    And those tapestries, oh, my! Beautiful and meaningful.

    1. Thanks Audrey. I knew we would both be writing about this wonderful Country Social.
      I admire your writing skills, and realize your articles would be much more skillfully crafted!
      But, that’s ok, right?

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