“The first priority was to secure the outside of the building,” said Terry Jelsing, preservation society president. “We hired contractors to replace beat-up shingles with a metal roof, repair and replace rotting siding, paint the exterior and rebuild the steeple. We were sensitive to the historic nature of the building. Based on our resources and maintenance considerations, we translated that aesthetic through modern materials.”

With the exception of the front entry – where the ceiling and floor had to be replaced – the interior of the church was in pretty good shape, Jelsing said. The last church services were conducted there in 1988, when the congregation celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The restored structure is actually the second church to occupy the churchyard. In 1906 Jelsing’s great-grandfather Afin Jelsing donated three acres of land to the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tunbridge for a church and cemetery. The original church was struck by lightning in 1911 and burned to the ground. The current structure was built in 1914.

Several members of the preservation society board share ancestral connections to the church. Phase I repairs were financed for the most part by contributions from Jason Bednarz of Horace. Bednarz, also a great-grandson of Afin, is the son of the late Joyce (Jelsing) Krukenberg, formerly of Rugby, who grew up in the church and brought her young family to attend services there.

Submitted Photo The interior of the Tunbridge Lutheran Church building looks much as it did in 1988, when the last church services were held.

“We formed the preservation society to preserve the church and keep it as an historic landmark,” Bednarz said. “We don’t want people to think this is a little club. It’s for use by everybody.” The restored church is available for rent for cultural events, family reunions, concerts. and meetings. Last year it was used for a wedding and a funeral.

The May 28 open house will be the first public event hosted by the Tunbridge Lutheran Church Preservation Society. Hamburgers, hotdogs and beverages will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A brief program is planned at 1 p.m. Guest speaker will be Shane Engeland, executive director of the Geographical Center Historical Society and Prairie Village Museum, Rugby. The church will remain open for tours throughout the afternoon.

The church’s religious roots will be celebrated with a worship service at 10 a.m. on the 28th. Hosted by Dale and Marilyn Niewoehner, the public service will be followed by the dedication of the Dwight Jelsing Memorial Bell, donated to the preservation society by Mary Jelsing in honor of her husband.

The preservation society will continue its restoration efforts with funds donated to the 501(c)3 nonprofit. Terry Jelsing said Phase II restoration projects include installing railings on the church steps, protecting stained glass windows, securing the foundation and creating interpretive panels to tell the story of Tunbridge Lutheran Church.

For more information and photos, find Tunbridge Lutheran Church Preservation Society on Facebook.

Submitted Photo The Tunbridge Lutheran Church building stands in weathered gray prior to its renovation.