The North Swede Church will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the building of the church on June 21, 2025. It is a little one-room wooden church nine miles north of Bucklin on 129. Swedish immigrants came to the US in 1869, organizing the little church in 1870. Several families lived in the basement of the Methodist Church in Bucklin that first winter upon their arrival. A cornerstone on that church attests to this history. For the first five years, church was held in different homes, one north of Bucklin, one in town, and one south of Bucklin. In 1875 they built the church, which still stands today. The Swedish Lutheran Cemetery Association was formed in 1927 to preserve the church and surrounding cemetery. They hold a meeting once a year to honor their ancestors and ensure the upkeep of the building and grounds.

A sesquicentennial was planned for 2020, but Covid was in full swing at that time. It was decided to postpone the 150th until 2025. The day of celebration will be on the Swedish Midsommer Day of June 21st. There will be a devotional time starting at 11 a.m., with a catered lunch to follow at 11:30 a.m. A free-will donation will gladly be accepted that day. The afternoon program will start at 1:30 p.m., with special Swedish songs, dancers, poems and a history of the church, followed by anniversary cake on the church lawn. Special historical items will be on display and Swedish door prizes given throughout the day. For our attendees’ comfort, the program will be held under a large event tent with folding chairs. Also available for the day is valet parking and porta-potties. Period costumes are welcome, if you choose. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Carol (Amen) Adams at 816-309-4348 or maryadams.kc@att.net.