Before 1900 the largest religious groups in North Dakota were Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal, and Presbyterian churches.

The Family History Library has histories of the Dunkards (Church of the Brethren), Episcopal, Presbyterian, Catholic, and other churches in North Dakota. For Methodists, Presbyterians, Dunkards, and Lutherans you can also consult the various volumes of The Collections of The State Historical Society of North Dakota 7 vols. (Bismarck, N.D.: Tribune State Printers, 1906—; FHL book 978.4 B2h; films beginning with film 1697422).

The Family History Library has very few North Dakota church records. Many denominations have collected their records into central repositories. You can write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located.

Lutheran

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA Archives)
8765 W. Higgins Rd.
Chicago, IL 60631-4198
Telephone: 773-380-2818
Fax: 773-380-2977

The Archives has records of many congregations on microfilm. These can be borrowed for a small fee. For a list of church records in their collection as of the 1970's see FHL fiche 6330690-93; the fiche with the North Dakota list is 6330692.

Many Lutheran Church records for Germans from Russia are at:

North Dakota State University Library
North Dakota Institute for Regional Studies
P.O. Box 5599
Fargo, ND 58105-5599
Telephone: 701-231-8886
Fax: 701-231-7138

Methodist

United Methodist Church
North Dakota Conference
Wesley United Methodist Church
1600 4th Ave. North
Grand Forks, ND 58201

Archives and History Library
Dakotas Conference
United Methodist Church
Box 460
1331 West University Blvd.
Mitchell, SD 57301
Telephone: 605-996-6552
Fax: 605-996-1766

Presbyterian

Presbyterian Historical Society
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.
425 Lombard St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Telephone: 215-627-1852
Fax: 215-627-0509

Roman Catholic

Diocese of Bismarck
Chancery Office
Box 1575
Bismarck, ND 58502-1575
Telephone: 701-223-1347
Fax: 701-223-3693

Diocese of Fargo
Chancery Office
1310 Broadway
Box 1750
Fargo, ND 58107
Telephone: 701-235-6429
Fax: 701-235-0296

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