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The country church clearly represented the spirit of early North Dakotans. The familiar white steeple topped with a gleeming cross symbolized unity in a land where people of varied ethnic backgrounds shared a common belief.

Some were farmers. Some were ranchers. All could be found on a regular basis at country churches throughout North Dakota. It was the rural church that brought people together like no law or ordinance or resolution ever could.

While the number of country churches continues to decline, some of them still greet parishioners on a regular basis today. One of those is the 106-year-old Hope Lutheran Church located southeast of Minot. It overlooks the countryside and remains a symbol of what North Dakota once was and, in some areas, still is.

"I guess it is symbolic of the simplicity on the prairie many years ago. It's a community thing," said Sheila Schoenwald, a member of the congregation. "It's a place where we come and it is calming to us. It's not an unusual church, but like the ones that dotted the prairie. It's where neighbors meet neighbors. If it wasn't there, it would be hard to connect."

The size of the congregation at Hope Lutheran has dwindled a bit over the years, but remains large enough and dedicated enough to keep the church open. Attendance for regular Sunday services usually is in the mid-20s. On occassion, weddings and funerals are still conducted in the small church.

"Just like it used to be, it's a big deal when we have a wedding or a funeral," said Schoenwald. "The church is a source of pride. We keep it up."

"I got married in the church 13 years ago," said Leta Semchenko, who resides not far from Hope Lutheran. "It is a very, very pretty church and well attended by the farm families out there."

The interior of the church contains numerous items that date back to the early days of the church. Some of the items were crafted by area residents. The additions help give the church a personality all its own and helps maintain the importance of keeping the doors open each Sunday.

"Even the bell still works. We ring it every Sunday for our call to worship," said Schoenwald.

The ringing of the church bell was commonplace on the North Dakota prairie during the years when settlers established their farmsteads and when North Dakota grew as a family farm state. Fewer and fewer bells toll on the countryside today as a big part of the state's history fades into memory and rural churches disappear.

A common problem facing country churches is the lack of ordained ministers. Hope Lutheran has been without an ordained minister on a regular basis for nearly two years. A lay pastor has been conducting services at Hope Lutheran, stepping down from the pulpit one Sunday a month for a visiting ordained pastor. The arrangement has helped keep the church operating something that has special meaning to church members.

"Once you come there, you feel like everyone is your family. We're a pretty close-knit bunch," said Cindy Krueger, an area resident and member of the congregation. "We don't have a town and people keep showing up. We're keeping our doors open and we're glad to have new people come in. It's just a little prairie church. That's what it is."