Danish Communities
DANE - Danish Archives North
East
Penn Yan, Yates County, New York:
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Danes began settling in Yates County as early as the 1860s. They
settled there primarily between the 1880's and 1920s. They went there
for the good farmland. Many of them were from Vendsyssel, Denmark
in northern Jutland, near the city of Hjorring.
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Churches:
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United Evangelical Lutheran Churches:
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Penn Yan, St. Paul, organized September 22, 1912, incorporated January
28, 1917, 135 Hamilton St., Penn Yan, NY 14527.
The first worship was conducted by Rev. Rasmus
Anderson of Brooklyn when he visited Penn Yan in 1881. He returned
at intervals until 1891. Most of the Danes in this area came from
Vendsyssel, Denmark in northern Jutland. The first pastor was Lewis C.
Larsen, of Falmouth, Maine, in 1912. Eight years prior to 1917, the congregation
held services in the First Presbyterian Church. Construction started on
the church in 1917 and it was dedicated on May 5, 1918. In 1928,
a parsonage was built adjacent to the church. Up until 1928, services
were held in Danish. By 1942, all services were held in English.
The original church was demolished on June 18, 1970 and the newly built
church was dedicated on December 13, 1970. (drawing
of old church) (picture of new church)
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Danish Brotherhood in America Lodges:
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Danish Sisterhood of America Lodges:
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Penn Yan, New York, Lodge 173
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Books:
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Danes of Yates County, author: Varick A. Chittenden, copyright 1985 by
Yates County Arts Council and Varick A. Chittenden.
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Aspiring Christians, Histories of Yates County Churches, Compiled by Linda
J. Jackson, created for the 175th anniversary of Yates County
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