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Mariadahl Evangelical Lutheran Church
Mariadahl, Kansas
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    Mariadahl (Swedish - meaning "Maria's dale") Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mariadahl, Kansas was the first Swedish - Lutheran Church established west of the Missouri River.  It was founded in 1863.  The Hilgreen-Lane Organ was built in 1912 and the installation was completed in 1913, the church's 50th anniversary.  The Organ, Opus 346, was given to the church by the N.P.Johnson family, and a Service of Dedication was held on Sunday, February 1, 1914 at 2:30 P.M. The guest performer for the dedication was Prof. Hagbard Brase, with  Rev. Dr. C. J. E. Haterius presiding over the dedication. The organ served the Mariadahl church for 45 years.  
                          Memories of Mariadahl:  Dr. Emery Carlson
    Due to the passing of legislation in the 1940's that led to the building of the Tuttle Creek Dam, and eventual Reservoir, the entire area including Mariadahl was soon to be forever under water.  In October of 1958, the congregation celebrated their 95th Anniversary, which included special music to be played on the organ.  In the next few years, the organ, and eventually the entire church was taken apart, bit by bit.  The Hilgreen-Lane organ, after being dismantled, was stored in a garage of one of the church's members.  There it remained until 1966.