In the early 1900s, a little church was built in the midst of a hardworking farm community. Almost a hundred years later, that community has taken on the task to preserve it.

"My grandparents started it, then my folks had it," Eric Franson tells us of his century-old farm.

"We get up a little after five and the first thing we do is milk," Karen Franson describes the start of a very busy day on that farm.

The Fransons are hard-workers. They say they're not unlike their rural neighbors just south of Strum in Trempealeau County. But, every now and then the community takes a break from tending the fields to tend to a little white church nestled in the rolling Bruce Valley hills.

"I was baptized here. I was confirmed here," Eric says.

Bruce Valley Church was built in 1911 just a mile or so from the Franson farm. Eric's grandparents were among its first members. He remembers Sunday services as a child, listening to the men chat afterward in Norwegian.

"We got so we could understand it good. But, as for talking it, I never got started with that," Eric says laughing.

But, by 1970 membership had dwindled and the church closed its doors for 24 years.

"In 1984, we decided we either had to tear it down or restore it. So, we started restoring it and we've been doing that ever since," Eric says.

"It was a total mess,” Karen adds. “There was a lot of washing to do and a lot of repairs."

Karen says birds and mice had moved into the abandoned church and vandals had used it as a place for parties. The Bruce Valley Church Restoration Committee and Bruce Valley Cemetery Association painted, fixed walls, carpeted, and re-shingled. Karen says the beautiful stenciling never had to be re-touched. It's her favorite part of the church.

"I’m not a very artistic person, so I’m just amazed someone did the stencils on the wall, the alter and even around the light fixtures," she says.

For Eric, it's the sense of togetherness that this little church continues to bring, even without the Sunday services of the past.

"In a small church like this, they asked 'where were you Sunday?' So, we missed very few Sundays down here!"

The church doesn't have set Sunday services, but there are still weddings and family reunions there.

The group funds its restoration project with two annual dinners including one on Sunday. It starts at 11 a.m. The meal includes meatballs and gravy, mashed potatoes, lefsa, vegetables, salads, drinks, and dessert. It costs $8. At 1:15 p.m., there will also be a graveside memorial service to remember the men and women who died for our country.

In August, the group will celebrate 25 years of hard restoration work with a special service. It’s August 30 at 1:30 p.m. There will be entertainment, food and fellowship.