Today the church serves as a memorial to the contributions made by a small group of Swedish-American settlers in Rice County in the latter half of the 19th century.

Miller erected a mill and a hotel and a partner started a general store, attracting "Yankee" settlers from the east.

Thompson's business card read: Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, Real Estate Developer, Minnesota State Legislature, Postmaster."

The old church records lead to a conclusion that Jesse James was not in Minnesota during the Northfield bank robbery but remained with his family in Nashville, Tennessee.

1877 – The first Swedish immigrants to settle in the dense and virgin "Big Woods" of Rice County formed the Christdala congregation on July 18, 1877.

Christdala congregation was established by 13 founding families on 1.125 acres (0.455 ha) of land given by neighbours Peter Youngquist & Carl Hirdler.

1880 – Pulpit was built by John Olson for $15.00, interior walls plastered, native ash wainscoting installed.

1881 – Front steps and horse stalls were built; table, chairs, baptismal font purchased (still in church today).

The church records stated: "The fruit of a surrendered life becomes capable of sacrificing personal advantages for the sake and welfare of the group."

New wood-burning furnace and hot air registers installed, wood fireplace in basement removed, convection floor slats covered.

Original hand-fashioned kneeling benches replaced with 18 identical oak pews, 9 on each side of the center aisle.

1942 – Christdala's 65th Anniversary: "The blessings of their endeavors are ours.…as giants in the earth they stood, their faith in God availing."

1994 – Christdala Church Preservation & Cemetery Association incorporated as an IRS-approved charitable organization for tax-deductible gifts.

Substantial funds raised to preserve the church with new paint, roof, windows, fence, front steps, flag poles.