Eastern North Dakota Synod

The Church Roof Project began about 35 years ago when the ELCA predecessor church, the ALC, offered to provide a roof for any church building constructed by congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic (EELRCA). Even though the C.A.R. is a financially impoverished country, Lutheran congregations there began to erect church walls with a zeal that is reminiscent of the Lutheran settlers in North Dakota a century ago. When the ALC became part of the ELCA, the church roof commitment was passed on to us. And when the EELRCA became the Eastern North Dakota Synod’s companion synod, we voluntarily took upon the task of fulfilling this promise.

There are several parsonages currently 28 churches waiting for roofs: Two roofs are in progress; three older roofs were destroyed in a storm. Some roofless church structures have suffered serious damage since they have been exposed to the elements for up to five years. Several even have plants growing on their walls! The church members are discouraged because they have worked to rebuild the church walls two or three times already. Two church walls have even collapsed. No new churches have been built since 2004 due to this crisis.

The EELRCA has kept building churches and parsonages despite the truly daunting obstacles that have been thrown in its way, such as bad or nonexistent roads, difficulty in obtaining materials, and the recent civil war. Over the years, 84 church roofs have been constructed with donations from the ELCA. From 2000-’04 alone five parsonages received roofs and 15 church roofs were built.

Can you help?

A new church roof costs approximately $10,000. A donation of any size will help further this cause. Donations can be sent to the Synod Office (1703 32nd Ave. S., Fargo, ND 58103) and clearly marked "C.A.R. Church Roof Project."

Synod Education

Several people from our synod have visited the C.A.R. and several missionary families are now living in the Fargo area. They are willing to come and speak to your congregation to share first-hand experiences of life in the C.A.R.. To schedule a speaker, please contact the synod office (701-232-3381).

The synod resource center also has videos and other information about the C.A.R., which are available free of charge.

Download the C.A.R. Village Education, Girl's High School and Church Roof Project Fact Sheets (download .pdf file) to share with your congregation.