The Norka Church
In 1880 one of the most outstanding events in the history of Norka was the building of a magnificent new church on 9th street. The tall stately dome of the edifice could be seen miles away, and the white Doric columns and stately doorways, made it by far the most beautiful building in the town. The basement walls which were about three feet thick, were made of mortar and stone. The dimensions of the foundation were 127 feet wide and 175 feet long. The cornerstone was laid on 24 June 1880, and the religious ceremonies were attended by Rev. Bonwetsch, Rev. Jordan of Balzer and Rev. Stärkel who was the pastor of Norka at the time. It took 32 years to complete the building.
The famous pipe organ was said to be the first in any church in the colonies. The organ and the mixed choir of boys and girls could be heard from the rear balcony.
Norka Reformed Church Choir 1906
The church was built in the neo-classical style or so-called kontor style.
Almost all Lutheran and Reformed churches on the Volga were constructed in the village and city colonies at the same time. These were massive new buildings which were built in the same style and by the same architects and builders and so this style is referred to as the kontor or bureaucratic style.
The building followed the rules for building in stages and in a practical way for German churches which had been established in the region at the middle of the 19th century. This is evident by viewing the photos and the architectural sketches from the archives and from the present. Without a doubt, this is one of the characteristic examples for the later bureaucratic style with the multi-storied bell tower with a square foundation, halls with 4-6 pillars in the main and side entrances, slanting walls and decorative facades. The stairwells, which are built separately from the room, are situated in the wings of the interior narthex (sloping sides). The stairs lead to the choir (balconies), which are supported by massive posts and set on top of the wide apse. Characteristic of this style is the "neglect" of certain features so that the half-globed dome will be emphasized.
The church had three bells of different sizes which were rung each evening at seven o'clock. They served to call people to worship; to announce a death in the village--often telling the age of the deceased by measured toll; to announce a fire; and it rang for hours at a time to guide persons to the village who might be lost in a storm.
Norka Church bell tower in 1912 - note there are three bells
Courtyard Outside the Norka Reformed Church
Because of the expense of heating such a large structure, all church services were held in the schoolhouse during the winter months.
Parochial certificate from Norka for Georg and Peter Schreiber signed by Rev. Stärkel on 25 April 1907