BAY CITY – As visitors ascend a steep hill on the Great River Road between Bay City and Maiden Rock, a white steeple comes into view. The bright white country church has been a beacon of hope and community since 1881, beating the odds thanks to a determined and devoted congregation.

The church holds services the third Sunday of each month and new and exciting initiatives are on its horizon, thanks to the committed community. In fact, the community is invited to an Easter service at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 19, followed by a time of fellowship and food.

The church was founded in 1881 by Swedish emigrants. Tabor, which shared a minister with Svea Lutheran Church of Hager City, closed in May 2011 when the congregation could no longer pay for its portion of the minister’s salary. Though the congregation was small, it was determined to hang onto its treasured church, which is now flourishing with new life, new renovations and renewed joy in 2026.

Fifteen years ago, Church Council President Mary Edquist sought help from the church synod in finding volunteer pastors who would come preach once a month. In July 2012, Pastor Gene Hasselquist, then 88, came out of retirement to lead Tabor’s monthly services, doing so until September 2025. He died Feb. 7, 2026 at the age of 101.

“He really kept this place going with this small community and no money,” said parishioner Cindy Florness. “They had very, very little. They paid him $150 a time and he would give half back to Tabor.”

Hasselquist’s memorial service took place on Saturday, Feb. 28 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Red Wing, where he served from 1970-1987. Florness credits Hasselquist, Edquist and the church council for keeping little Tabor going when many rural churches were closing due to dwindling membership. Florness said Hasselquist’s joyful enthusiasm drew people to the church, which started seeing an uptick in attendance, sometimes nearing 70 people which pleased him to no end.

“He always had a little joke and a little smile,” Florness said. “Red was his favorite color and he wore it often.”

Six active members remain from that determined congregation; the current church council, led by President Edquist, includes Julie Davis (treasurer), Gary Thorson (whose mother Elaine was Tabor’s faithful organist for 63 years), Evy Johnson and Patty Florness.

“Mary has been the president of the church council forever. She loves Tabor,” Florness said. “She and her mother Muriel used to make pies for everyone.”

Renovations

The church, like any building, needed some love and attention to bring it back to its former glory. Thanks to community and memorial donations and concert fundraisers, the congregation was able to refurbish the stained-glass windows featuring the MacIntosh rose that flank the altar. Local stained-glass artist Joe Diethelm of Red Wing completed the windows in January.

“There were no storm windows over them and they were cracked and had holes in them,” Florness said. “They were a mess.”

The congregation also gathered enough funds to paint the church, replace rotten boards and two boarded up windows with special “church glass” from Indiana. A hail damage claim allowed the congregation to install a new metal green roof, which is stronger and more durable. A handicap accessible ramp allows all to enter the church safely, where they’ll be greeted by two tables set up for coffee, apple cider, baked good, cheese and crackers and fellowship if they’re unable to traverse the basement stairs.

Florness admits the basement fellowship hall/kitchen is in desperate need of a new floor, but they have turned the space into an inviting gathering place thanks to strategically placed, cozy rugs, tables and chairs, and local artwork paying homage to the river road communities along Highway 35. The cost for a new floor is estimated at $10,000-$11,000, a stretch for the church.

“You’re going to come to an old building and it’s not going to be perfect,” Florness shrugged. “My favorite word is ‘Joy.’ And I believe Tabor Church is all about faith, community, music, art, nature, with the four advent themes of joy, love, peace and hope. It’s a heartwarming setting of community at its best.”

The church community worked hard to clean up the “scary basement,” hauling out years of accumulated junk and furniture. The space has been painted, cleaned and decorated with beautiful local art and photography.

“We’re still working on it, and now we are also adding a bulletin board collection of local photos on the area groups that help by ‘Building Community,’” Florness said. “It’s a real tribute to all the music, art, environmental, and community involvement that brings the river communities together and helps the area thrive.”

With the snow melting, visitors can also visit the church’s Swedish Labyrinth, completed on July 5. Designed by nationally known labyrinth designer Lisa Gidlow Moriarty of Stillwater, Minn., a group of 10 volunteers constructed the “paths of peace” to honor Bruce Hecksel of the local musical duo Patchouli, who died in July. The project took about two hours to complete, with rocks donated by the community

“Bruce and Julie were a big part of the Tabor community, helping to fundraise for the painting of Tabor,” Florness said. “We will plant a meditational garden by the labyrinth in 2026.”  

What’s next?

The next big project is a wildflower meadow in the 2-acre field between the church and Highway 35. The land, owned by Isabelle township, was burned and sprayed last year by Harley Hotchkiss of Diamond Bluff’s Premium Plots, and planted with native pollinator seeds from Reuvers Nursery.

Florness is excited for the church to work with the Department of Natural Resources, Pheasants Forever biologists and local conservationist/photographer Tom Hanson from Maiden Rock to develop a plan for the wildflower field. 

“When it starts taking shape, we will dedicate the meadow to Dennis Potts, who passed away on June 14, 2025,” Florness said. “He served as Chairman for Isabelle Township for over 30 years. It will be a beautiful landmark with the wildflower meadow and old Tabor Church on the Great River Road. The church still lights up at night when the sun charges up the solar lights.”

As for the church services, they will still be held the third Sunday of each month. At Christmas, Tabor hosted 84 people, a promising sign that the country church will continue to thrive.

“Some people who come here are Catholic. We have someone who is Buddhist. Some people who don’t even believe, but they come for the community,” Florness said. “It’s a place where people can make friends. I never know who is going to come here or who I am going to meet.”

The next service will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 19 featuring the theme “Spring Joy,” celebrating Easter faith, joy and spring flowers. Stillwater violinist Shawn Vougeot will provide music, followed by food and fellowship.

Tabor is also looking for interim ministers to lead monthly services. Pastor Jon Becker, who has filled in since Hasselquist’s death, must step down due to health challenges.

“He is such a nice man and has given beautiful sermons and services since he stepped into the void after Pastor Gene’s hospitalization and passing. Pastor Jon is 81 so he deserves a rest,” Florness said. “The Tabor community keeps working together to keep the little church going.”