First lady Laura Bush to visit Bismarck Oct. 2 Eds: APNewsNow.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) First lady Laura Bush is planning to visit a school and a rural Morton County church next week.

Bush has scheduled visits to the Sims Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church and Bismarck's Riverside Elementary School on Thursday.

At the school, Bush intends to promote a National Endowment for the Humanities program called Picturing America. The program brings art works into the nation's schools.

The Sims church is believed to be the oldest Lutheran church building west of the Missouri River. The first church building was built in 1884, and the Sims church still hosts Sunday services.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-26-08 1831CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list