In 1886, the skyline of the young town of Pembina, North Dakota changed when a Gothic Revival style church rose above the dusty, wagon-filled streets. Grace Episcopal Church was one of twenty-two episcopal churches built in developing communities on the plains of North Dakota.

The church is a magnificent example of the Gothic Revival architectural style, with features such as the steeply pitched gable roof and glorious stained glass lancet windows that adorn the sanctuary. The corner bell tower houses the entrance to the church. Close your eyes and imagine walking up to the church on a late spring morning, the breeze is soft as you listen to the sounds of horses whinnying, wagon wheels creaking, voices of friends and neighbors, and the solemn, beautiful sound of the chiming church bell. Open your eyes and notice a unique feature to this episcopal church. It was constructed of brick instead of commonly used fieldstone. Though this isn’t just any old brick. It was assembled with yellow brick made locally by Pembina Brick Company, and is one of the last remaining structures within the city that showcase brick built right here over 130 years ago.

Grace Episcopal Church experienced declining attendance in the 1930s and was sold to the local Methodist congregation. It is now known as Pembina Pioneer Memorial United Methodist Church, and while it has gone through some structural additions and renovations, it’s still a beacon of light and love in this community. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, one of thirteen structures in this county to hold that distinction.