Part 1 was published on Aug 18, 2026, Part 2 was published on Aug. 25, 2026 and the 3rd part of the History of the Bdecan Presbyterian Church concludes here:
In August 1886, the Rev. John P. Williamson began the erection of a wood-frame church costing one thousand dollars, half of which was raised by the congregation. During construction of the new church Chief Matocatka (Left Handed Bear), whose land affronted the church donated five acres for a church cemetery. This frame church stood until 1960 when it was dismantled and the lumber used to build a smaller church by the Archie Redfox family and others.
1886 was a busy year for the Bdecan congregation, as their first Ptaya Owohdake (Mission Meeting) was held on September 23-26. The Woodlake delegates were Rev. W.O. Rogers, Amos Wakankoyake, Adam Cantemaza, Charles Dowannaĥonpi, Edward Wicanĥpiduta, Joseph Hdinajin, Solomon Sunģi, Julia Winona, Isabel Pahawin, Jane Tateyuhewin, Jane Nawaginapewin, and Julia Tapetawaŝtewin. It was decided at this meeting to start a mission church on the western side of the Fort Totten Reservation to be called Kanģipaha (Raven Hill) supplied by Rev. Samuel Hopkins.
In 1888, a special brass bell was cast in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, weighing 415 pounds bearing the inscription “Ikcewicaŝta Owasin En Upo” (All the Common people Come Here) on one side, and “Iyoyanpa Nihiyohipi” (Light has shined upon you all) on the other.
In 1890 Rev. Rogers retired and was succeeded by Rev. Alfred Coe (1867 – 1932), from the Yankton Dakota Reservation, a graduate of the Omaha Theological School. Rev. Coe was stated supply to Woodlake and Raven Hill churches. He remained until 1898.
This next 100 years is not finished yet.
The New Church
In 1999 Betty Linton an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Fargo, North Dakota called Mrs. Albin (Sharon Redfox) Georgeson, Bdecan’s Christian education director to inquire how the church and its members were doing. Mrs. Linton was given the Indian name of Wakanmaniwin (Walking Sacredly Woman) by the Spirit Lake Tribe for her previous work to improve relations between Indians and Non-Indians in the Fargo – Moorhead area. Betty Linton learned of the struggles of the church, especially a desire for a new building. First Presbyterian of Fargo discovered the needs of Bdecan right in their backyard and immediately set to work. In May of 1999, Sharon, Albin, Louis and Hilda Garcia traveled to Fargo for a planning meeting with representatives from Dakota Presbytery (Rev. Enright Bighorn), Pastor Rick Raum, Associate Pastor Mary Holtey, and Architect David Shultz. David as a youth worked at Bdecan in a summer program.
Fundraising for the Two Hundred Thousand Dollar project was begun immediately.
$150,000 was raised by First Presbyterian of Fargo for the new church, and the balance obtained from the Presbytery of the Northern Plains and other churches in the Presbytery.
The new building was under construction by Alan Gleason Construction of Tolna, North Dakota and completed by January 2002. The new church was dedicated on April 6th with a service attended by about 100 people who represented Dakota and Northern Plains Presbyteries, Synod of Lakes and Prairies and from the national office in Louisville, Kentucky. Unfortunately, Betty Linton was ill and couldn’t attend the dedication; she died two months later at age 87. Without her efforts the church would not have been built.
What’s coming in the future? Soup Kitchen, Food Pantry and After school programs.