Situated on the grounds of The Danish Immigrant Museum, tiny Morning Star Chapel beckons museum visitors to stop and rest for a few moments.
The Chapel was built in 1951 by Charles Johann Walensky, then 83 years old. A carpenter by trade, Walensky was a Danish immigrant to Waterloo, Iowa, who helped build many churches in that community during his career. For years the chapel served as a site for baptisms and weddings for persons of all faiths. When Walensky died in 1959, his daughter operated the chapel until failing health caused her to turn it over to her nephew and his wife. LaVerne and Ann Walensky maintained the chapel in their back yard for 26 years. They, in turn, donated the building to the museum when their own health began to fail.
The 6’ by 8’ chapel was moved to Elk Horn in 1995. It contains a pulpit, an altar, and four small pews. A copper cross adorns its miniature steeple. The chapel has seen use as a wedding venue since its arrival at the museum.
The Friends’ Walk, a path winding through the museum grounds, leads to the chapel before continuing approximately one-half mile through gently rolling hills to Bedstemor’s House, located on the outskirts of downtown Elk Horn. |
