On the open prairie of Southwest Minnesota a church was built by settlers in a newly organized Township of Mandt, Chippewa County, Minnesota. For over one hundred years this church had served the spiritual needs of these pioneers who came to worship their Lord and God. Located approximately 11 miles Northeast of Montevideo, Mandt Lutheran Church, as it was appropriately named, fell victim to the changing demographics and declining population of rural Minnesota. In 2003 the few remaining members of Mandt Lutheran Church voted to disband the congregation, dispose of the interior furnishings and dispose of the church building. Initially, many of the church artifacts were disbursed to the church members and a number of the artifacts were donated to Heritage Hill, including the altar, communion rail, pulpit and other miscellaneous items. The members of Minnesota Valley Antique Farm Power and Machinery Association voted to build a new, low maintenance, modern church facility. The facility was designed to depict an old country church setting and at the same time commemorate the heritage of the early pioneer settlers. The altar and pulpit were restored. When the former Mandt Lutheran Church parishioners learned of the new plans at Heritage Hill, many of the former church artifacts were then donated for the new Heritage Hill project. The new church facility was completed in the summer of 2004. A dedication service was held August 18, 2004 during the annual Heritage Hill Threshing Show. The new Heritage Hill Chapel is available for all Christian based functions.
Features:
- Non-denominational.
- Publicly available for services, weddings, funerals, baptisms, etc.
- Seating capacity for 70 adults.
- Hymnals and Bibles in every pew.
- Electronic and Pump organs.
- Beautiful, photogenic, surrounding scenery.
- Liturgical paraments available.
- Free will offering for usage.
*The Heritage Hill Chapel was constructed to commemorate the religious beliefs of early agrarian pioneers who settled on the Southwest Minnesota prairies. Minnesota Valley Antique Farm Power and Machinery Association is organized as a non-profit corporation to preserve and demonstrate agricultural history. Minnesota Valley Antique Farm Power and Machinery Association has no religious affiliation.
