St. Olaf's Lutheran Kirke (The Rock Church), Cranfills Gap, Texas

The Rock Church, Texas

A small Norwegian Lutheran church located in central Texas

In 1982, King Olav V of Norway paid a visit to rural Central Texas. He had come to see St. Olaf's Kirke, also known as the Rock Church, located outside of Cranfills Gap and Clifton, Texas. The small church has a long history as a center of Norwegian heritage in central Texas, and the king visited during a tour in which he came to pay respects to Cleng Peerson, the "Father of Norwegian Immigration", who is buried nearby.

historic Norwegian cemetery in Texas

The Rock Church was established as an offshoot of Our Savior's Lutheran Church at Norse, when the original congregation grew beyond the church building. The Rock Church was constructed in 1884 on a small patch of farmland originally purchased by the Norwegian settlers for $25.

The local settlers built the church themselves, hauling native limestone from the surrounding area. The Rock Church is simple; having neither running water nor electricity. The building is heated with an original wood-burning stove.

The congregation was small, made up of the local Norwegian settlers and their families. In fact, church services were conducted in Norwegian through the early 20th century.

St. Olaf's became an independent congregation of the ELCA (Lutheran Church) in 1902, but by 1917, the congregation had grown large enough again that the church decided to build a new building. The "new" St. Olaf's church is currently located in downtown Cranfills Gap, Texas, just a few miles away.

the Rock Church

One of the most interesting features of the little church is the rare Vocalion Reed Pump Organ, which dates back to the late 19th century. While the Rock Church is today only used for special occasions, it is a big part of the Norwegian Country Christmas festival, when the sanctuary is filled with the singing of beautiful Christmas carols.

sanctuary with stained glass; St. Olaf's Kirke

There is a cemetery behind the church with some 3000 plots. Some of the tombstones date back to the early settlers, while others are more recent. If you have the time, I recommend visiting the cemetery to pay your respects. It's full of history!

St. Olaf's Cemetery; Rock Church, Texas

The Rock Church was recognized as a Texas historical landmark in 1974.

"Built in 1886 of the native stone by architect Andrew Mickelson and his brothers, Christian and Ole Mickelson. It originally had a dirt floor and planks laid on wooden kegs for pews. The bell was acquired in 1897. The church served the Norwegian settlers of this area, who were members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church of Norse (6 miles E). In 1902, the growth of the community necessitated separation from the Norse Church and the St. Olaf congregation was organized. A new edifice was erected in Cranfills Gap (4 miles W) in 1917, and the church has since been used only for special services."

Visiting the Rock Church (St. Olaf's Kirke)

• Visitors are welcome to visit the church during daylight hours, or walk around the historic cemetery.
• The church is located at 2680 CR 4145, Cranfills Gap, Texas 76637. It is located on the country road just outside of the small town of Cranfills Gap. It is near Clifton, Texas, and within a day trip of Waco.
• Today, the congregation of St. Olaf's has moved to a newer, bigger church building in the town of Cranfills Gap, Texas. The Rock Church is used only for special services, such as funerals, baptisms, weddings, Easter, and Christmas Eve.
• If you are in the area around Clifton, Texas, and want to learn more about the Norwegian history and heritage of the region, also pay a visit to the nearby Our Savior's Lutheran Church at Norse, the original Norwegian church in the area. If you are lucky, you might just be able to score an invitation to their excellent November smorgasbord! 
• You can visit both churches during the Norwegian Country Christmas festival held annually in Clifton, Texas.
• Learn more at the Rock Church's official website: http://rockchurch-gap.com/