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Prayers on the Prairie

Calling them in

With a focus on youth, rural church brings in followers from far and wide

Janelle Atyeo
Apr 27, 2021
Apr 27, 2021 Updated Apr 27, 2021

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Richland Church was founded in 1910 and built this addition with a modern sanctuary in 2006.

Tri-State Neighbor photos by Janelle Atyeo

Richland Church near Mina, S.D., built a new sanctuary in 2006.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

The Richland Church is decorated for Easter.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

Early churchgoers pose for a photo. Before building their own church in 1910, Richland Church members worshiped in school houses.

Submitted photo

Richland Church is several miles from any town, so kids catch a bus or van to weekly youth nights.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

The bell of the original Richland Church sits outside the building south of Mina, S.D.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

Richland Church is several miles from any community in northeastern South Dakota, so they offer shuttle vans to get youth to Wednesday night activities.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

The youth center at Richland Church includes a coffee bar.

Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Janelle Atyeo

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Richland-Church-(14)-WEB.jpg — The newest addition to Richland Church is an activity room for youth programs with space to run and play when the weather is too cold.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Richland-Church-(23)-WEB.jpg — The first Richland Church, south of Mina, S.D., was dedicated in 1910. By the 1940s, they needed to expand with a basement, then a new church building.
Submitted photo

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Richland-Church-(25)-WEB.jpg — Members of Richland Church share their musical talents.
Submitted photo

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Richland-Church-(16)-WEB.jpg — The 1959 church now serves as a youth center. There is a stage, pool table and a coffee bar. A new sanctuary was built in 2006.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Janelle Atyeo

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Janelle is editor of the Tri-State Neighbor, covering South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota, northwestern Iowa and northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at jatyeo@tristateneighbor.com or follow on Twitter @JLNeighbor.