Though the church remained a dynamic influence serving Norwegian immigrants throughout the 1940s, through the next two decades services were held only sporadically until the 1980s when only a few descendants of the congregation's original membership remained. By the mid-1980s, in need of great repair, the building also became a target for vandals and was considered for demolition by the Calumet Village Council. But through a determined effort, a small group of remaining members of the congregation bought the property and began stabilizing and repairing the wood structure. In 2000, the Norwegian Lutheran Church Historical Society was founded to maintain, restore and facilitate future use of the historic church building. On Sunday, the NLCHS celebrated five years of its existence, and hundreds of hours of rehabilitation work, with an open house at the once-decrepit building. "It's really a beautiful building," said Susan Rokicki, board trustee of the NLCHS. "The style is reminiscent of Norwegian State Church designs from earlier periods."
The church design is said to be an exact replica of a church in Kristiansund, Norway, including stained glass window, a typical Norwegian altar and sloped, theatre seating. The NLCHS is devoted to restoring, not renovating, the wooden structure and has raised $15,000 thus far.

Members have devoted hundreds of volunteer hours to complete building rehabilitation work, including wood siding replacement, partial roof stabilization, electrical service upgrading and restoration of the pastor's study. Rokicki said much work still needs to be done to fully restore the building.

The open house also commemorated Syttende Mai (Norwegian Constitution Day), the 100th Anniversary of Norwegian Independence and National Preservation Month.

The Celebration was also a recruiting effort of sorts for the Sons of Norway, a fraternal benefit organization promoting Norwegian traditions and fraternal fellowship through the cultural and social opportunities offered in local and district lodge activities, including language camps and classes, scholarships, heritage programs and travel opportunities.

There are currently 420 Sons of Norway lodges. The group in Calumet has applied for lodge status and is now seeking potential members. An interest in Norwegian culture and heritage is the only qualification for membership; Norwegian ethnic background is not a requirement.

Should the group be formed, it would be the only one of its kind in the Upper Peninsula and would meet at the Norwegian Lutheran Church.

For more information, or to inquire about making a donation towards the preservation and restoration of this beautiful church, call Susan Rokicki or NLCHS Board President, Joseph Mihal at 906-337-3731.