Cathedral neighborhood steps up for church struck by vandalism

Augustana Lutheran Church stands almost literally in the shadow of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph.

In fact, the church was established in 1882, only a couple years after the Cathedral’s predecessor, St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Over the years, Augustana Lutheran grew some but never reached its neighbor’s congregational size. When the central Sioux Falls neighborhood received its name, it became the Cathedral Historic District.

But small can make an impact. And that impact can ripple throughout a neighborhood in ways that even the congregation may not appreciate.

That’s why, after one of Augustana Lutheran’s stained-glass windows was destroyed by an unknown vandal or vandals, it made such a heartwarming impact when the neighborhood stepped up.

Last Thursday, before one of Augustana Lutheran Church’s regular outreach programs, members of the Cathedral Historic District presented the Rev. John Paulsen with a check for $450 to go toward replacing the window.

Augustana Lutheran hopes to raise a total of $6,000. It will be used to both replace the window, estimated at $1,000, and install an enhanced security system to replace the current cameras.

“It’s kind of amazing,” Paulsen said. “I spent 29 years in rural ministry. I switched gears to come here to an urban congregation, and to know that the neighborhood cares this much about the church is pretty impressive.”

Jessica Stienstra moved to the Cathedral Historic District two months ago. Even in that short time, she’s learned how much her neighbors appreciate Augustana Lutheran Church and the pride it takes in its building.

“It’s really a neighborhood that cares about its neighbors,” Stienstra said. “And preserving the history.”

Paulsen, who has been at Augustana Lutheran since June 2022, is unsure if the stained-glass windows are original to the building, which was built in 1927. He suspects they are.

The window that was destroyed did not depict a specific scene but had a pattern instead. The colors are primarily gold, green, red and purple, the liturgical colors.

Augustana Lutheran, the oldest church in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America denomination in Sioux Falls, draws its congregation of 400 people from throughout the city with one member who drives in from Salem.

“We’re a small worshipping congregation made even smaller by Covid,” Paulsen said.

Its outreach, however, stretches beyond the church walls. It hosts a food distribution known as the Food to You Mobile Food Pantry every third Thursday, serving 91 households. Pueblo de Dios, a Spanish-English-speaking congregation, calls Augustana Lutheran home. A mid-week children’s ministry is offered at the church.

The food ministry rotates among other churches. It is particularly important in this neighborhood, Paulsen said.

“This neighborhood does have some hunger issues; we are in a food desert,” he said. “We benefit the neighborhood by providing this food pantry once a month and by providing some programming for some people. They have reached back to us, and we’re very grateful.”

Augustana Lutheran also opens its door to Cathedral Historic District residents for other gatherings, Stienstra said.

“They let the neighborhood use the church for potlucks and gatherings,” she said. “The neighborhood association appreciates them. They’re such a vital part of the neighborhood.”

Anyone interested in donating to Augustana Lutheran Church’s stained-glass fund can send a check to 235 N. Prairie Ave., Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104.