Here in Minnesota, many people are proud of their Scandinavian heritage. There are Nordic gift stores, Norwegian bakeries, and entire Swedish towns. Those are a few of the places that celebrate Scandinavian culture, but there are many more to discover. For example, in Moorhead, Minnesota, there’s a full-size church that stands as a replica to a real-life, historic church in Norway. When you visit the Hopperstad Church, it’s like going overseas. This eye-catching structure is a must-visit for Minnesotans curious about the state’s historic ties to Norway.

The Hopperstad Church is a part of the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, Minnesota. Visitors to the center can arrange a guided tour of the impressive church.
Ken and Alicia Lund/Google
On your tour, you'll learn a lot about this beautiful stave church. It was built in 1998 by Guy Paulson. It is made of cedar, redwood, and pine.
jpellgen (@1179_jp)/Flickr
The church is impressive on its own. But it gets even more impressive when you learn about its inspiration. The Hopperstad Church in Moorhead is a replica of a stave church in Vik, Norway, that dates back to the 1100s!
Markus L/Flickr

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The Minnesota church is not nearly as old as the 12th-century Norwegian church. But it is still a fascinating look into Norwegian culture.
Ken and Alicia Lund/Google
When you step inside, you'll get to see the intricate work that went into its construction. It looks just like the inside of the church in Norway.
Ken and Alicia Lund/Google
Carvings and other artwork are also the same as those found in the Norwegian Hopperstad Stave Church. In Norway, many of the carvings were added during the Middle Ages.
Erik Edvalds/Google
This fascinating replica is a wonderful way to learn about Minnesota's Norwegian heritage. Step inside, and you'll be taken overseas to Norway!
jpellgen (@1179_jp)/Flickr

Have you ever visited Hopperstad Church? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! If you’re interested in other churches in Minnesota, you may enjoy our past article about a tiny roadside chapel in southwestern Minnesota.

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Hopperstad Stave Church, 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead, MN 56560, USA