GRAND FORKS — Whether they know it or not, everyone who has ever walked through any outward-opening egress door has already benefited from the fire of 1822.

The worst fire in Norway's history took place 203 years ago on Pentecost Sunday, May 26, 1822, near the Norway-Sweden border at Grue Church in Solør, Kirkenær, Hedemark, Norway. The traditional old wooden stavekirke, which had existed from the 1200s, was totally gone in less than 20 minutes, along with 113-116 people — several of whom have family connections today in and around Traill County, North Dakota

In 1897 in Traill County, a small group of Norwegian immigrants named their newly formed congregation after their home church in Norway — Grue. The small congregation also brought with them the customs from the old country. For ex

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