Brandenbergers Gift Historic Building
to Norwegian Society of Texas
The Norwegian Society of Texas has a unique opportunity to restore the
historic home of Norwegian emigrants Jens and Kari Ringness. Located on
the farm currently owned by Don and Alice Brandenberger, the two-story
stone home served as the site of the first Lutheran church services in
Bosque County. Riders on horseback circled the Norse community to summon
families to the Ringness home where a Pastor Reque from Four Mile
Prairie led the first Lutheran service on January 10, 1867, in the
Ringness home. He urged those present to organize a congregation, and
Our Savior’s church at Norse is the result . An historic marker on
Highway 219 marks this event.
In addition to its place in the growth of the Lutheran church, the house
served as home for Jens and Kari Ringness and their seven children. One
of the children, Ole Ringness, is credited with the invention of the
disk plow. Four other children left descendants: John Ringness, Martha
Ringness Linberg, Ellen Ringness Homerstad, and Caroline Ringness
Reierson. A number of current NST members trace their lineage to these
early settlers, including Owen Ringness, John Homerstad, and Janice
Bertelsen.
Don and Alice Brandenberger decided to make a gift of the building and a
lot adjacent to Hwy 219 to the Norwegian Society. “We thought it should
be preserved. We had investigated the restoration of the building, but
it was simply too big a job for us to undertake,” said Alice. “We hope
it can be fixed up and used, so that people can see how the early
immigrants lived.”
The Norwegian Society of Texas intends to raise funds to move the
building to a site directly behind the historical marker on Hwy 219 and
to restore it as nearly as possible to its original condition. Current
plans involve using the restored home as NST office and meeting place.
When complete, the building will also be available for tours.
Wayne Rohne, an attorney in Arlington, has been instrumental in drawing
up papers and arranging for the legal transfer of the building and site
to NST. In September of 2000, Wayne requested that the state
organization accept the donation of the house so that gifts to NST for
the restoration could be declared tax deductible. Records will be kept
of all donors, and receipts for tax purposes furnished upon request.
Memorials or donations may be made to:
The Jens Ringness Restoration Fund
c/o Betty Tindall, President-Bosque Co. Chapter NST
RR2 Box 2085
Cranfills Gap, TX 76637
NOTE:
Checks should be made out to Norwegian Society of Texas and
designated to the Ringness Restoration Fund. |
