History
About 1856, Danes began to emigrate to Montcalm County, Michigan.
The first ones settled northwest of Greenville with Sidney and Edmore
becoming other popular destinations.
Early church services for the new residents were held in the log
school houses that had been built. After a service at the Monroe School
north of Greenville on April 22, 1873 by Rev. T.H. Wald, a desire
to organize a church became evident.
Finally, on April 21, 1884, work began on St. John's, now called
North Sidney. Christian Winter laid the foundation and plastered the
walls. Niels Christiansen of Greenville, assisted occasionally by
his son, did the carpentry. On November 16, 1884, Rev. Ole Amble dedicated
the building. At the end of the service, after the church bell first
rang out, William A. Nielsen, born November 12, 1884 in Stanton (son
of Niels and Otine Nielsen), was baptized.
On Tuesday, June 12, 1902, a tornado swept through the area -- moving
fences, uprooting trees, and demolishing St. John's. By July 12, 1903,
the members rebuilt their church and it still stands today.
Read more about the history of North Sidney and area residents in North Sidney Area: 1884-1984, a book self-published by the Association.
