Bread of Life Church - Window Restoration Project (2020-2021)

With picturesque Gothic styling and radiant stained-glass windows, the 1880 Bread of Life Church is among Bismarck’s oldest and most treasured structures—an important and tangible reminder of Bismarck history. Since 1965, the church has been a part of Camp Hancock State Historic Site, preserved and open to the public. In 2015, the Bismarck Historical Society entered a partnership with the State Historical Society to act as a “friends group” for Camp Hancock. Our latest project is to raise funds for the restoration and reinstalment of the church’s historically-significant stained-glass windows. Work will be completed in three phrases, beginning with the 10 altar windows, then the 3-part arched window in the vestibule, and finally the 14 main sanctuary windows. Already, the two most stunning windows—designed by John La Farge as a memorial to Leah F. Parhurst in 1881—have been returned to their original glory.

To-date, the Bismarck Historical Society has received a grant from the Northern Plains Heritage Foundation (NPHF) for $20,000 and several generous contributions from community members, including a $10,000 gift from the Ritterbush family. To learn more, download a copy of our project brochure.

We are currently working to match the grant from NPHF to facilitate the next to phases of the project. Help us continue our mission by making a donation to the window restoration project today!

Bismarck Historical Society is approved by the IRS as a 501c3 organization and all contributions are tax-deductible. A receipt of your donation can be provided upon request.

If you would prefer to donate by mail, please send a check to the Bismarck Historical Society (memo: “windows”) to:

Bismarck Historical Society
PO Box 47
Bismarck, ND 58502-0047