USA > Wisconsin > Marathon County > History of Marathon County, Wisconsin and representative citizens > Part 34
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In July, 1867, the cornerstone of the St. Mary's church was laid with proper ceremony, but the church itself was not completed until 1871. From that time Rev. L. Cornelis and Rev. L. Spitzelberger attended to the religious wants of the congregation until 1874, when the first resident priest was sent to Wausau. It was Rev. W. Gundelach, whose stay at Wausau was of short duration, although a house was then being built for the residence of the priest. For a while there was no priest here until Rev. Theo. J. Richards arrived in the spring of 1875 and took charge of the congregation. Dissension of a personal character had broken out among the congregation during the pas- torage of Reverend Gundelach, and when Reverend Richards arrived to take charge of the congregation he found it divided in factions, and it was only by the exercise of utmost tact and patience that he succeeded in again uniting the congregation. Reverend Richards remained here from 1875 to 1894, and in that time the church congregation grew largely and there was harmony in all their proceedings. The present St. Mary's church, a fine brick building, was erected and afterwards the parochial school, which is a very good build-
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ing, and has since that time been conducted as a parochial school. At the request of the bishop of the diocese, Reverend Richards left Wausau to take charge of the much larger congregation at Marinette, Wisconsin; but his departure was deeply regretted, not only by his congregation, but also by the people at large, who had learned to respect and love him. Immediately there- after, on August 17, 1894, Rev. P. L. Gasper arrived here and took charge of the St. Mary's congregation, and no better selection could have been made. In a very short time the members of his church saw in him not only their priest and spiritual adviser, but their real personal friend as well; he strength- ened the ties which bound them together and united them in working to a common goal in the spirit of the gospel.
When he arrived here the congregation was encumbered with a heavy indebtedness, caused by the building of the church and the parish school, which bore a high rate of interest. His first endeavor was to wipe out the debt, and he began by refunding it at a much lower rate of interest, and by good, business-like management succeeded in time in wiping it out entirely.
In 1898 the present residence for the school sisters was built, the sani- tary condition of the schoolhouse brought up to modern demands, and an organ purchased for the church. In 1902 the church was ornamented with fresco paintings and gas and electric lights installed. In 1904 the parsonage was built at a cost of about ten thousand dollars, and a steam heat plant put in for church and school. These are only the improvements involving large expenses, not to mention the smaller expenditures occurring for repairs and keeping up the property every year. In this year (1912) there was installed a new organ, the largest in the city, played with pneumatic action, a new patented device for the relief of the organist. The cost of this organ was about three thousand and two hundred dollars. In later years the congrega- tion had grown so large that it was thought advisable to build a new church for the needs of the steadily growing Catholic population of this city and the surrounding county, and in 1905, one hundred and ten families separated from the St. Mary's and organized the St. James congregation. Since that time all parochial indebtedness contracted for all these improvements made during Rev. P. L. Gasper's pastorage, and the old church debt, has been fully paid up.
All these improvements paid for, a congregation maintaining a school where 350 pupils, up to and equal to the eighth and ninth grades in the com- mon school, taught by seven sisters of the order of "Our Lady" (Notre Dame) of Milwaukee, all going smoothly and harmoniously, is the highest evidence of the worth and high regard in which Rev. P. L. Gasper is held by his congregation.
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ST. MICHAEL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
A large proportion of the people who came to Wausau in the latter part of the seventies and years following were of Polish extraction, and they, of course, desired the services of a priest with whom they could communicate in their mother tongue. The St. Mary's church, where they worshipped, was at that time in charge of Reverend Richards, and he procured for them a Polish priest to hold mass and a sermon every four weeks, until they could build a church of their own. Reverend Gara, from Poniatowski, was the first missionary priest who visited Wausau and collected the Polish families together into an organization. Later other Polish priests held service, until in 1885-86 the organization became strong enough to undertake the building of a church edifice, which was completed in 1886. It was consecrated by Right Rev. Bishop Katzer of Green Bay. The first resident priest was Reverend Livietzki, who was followed by Reverend Malkowski, during whose pastorate in 1895 the church burned down. It was winter when the church burned, and with the first approach of the milder season a new edifice was erected and completed in the year 1896.
The congregation owns five lots surrounding the church, enough to place a good-sized schoolhouse thereon, which no doubt will be done when the debt created by the building is paid. The church itself is a large, commodious and solid brick building, with fine inside finishings. On account of the burning of the records with the building it is not possible now to obtain the names of all the resident priests who served the congregation, but among those who are well remembered are the following: Reverend Livietzki, Reverend Mal- kowski, Rev. N. Kolasinski and Rev. W. Slicz, who was succeeded in 1912 by the present pastor, Reverend Wojak. There is a powerful organ in the church, installed in 1912.
The congregation consists of between 175 and 200 families.
THE ST. JAMES CATHOLIC CHURCH.
This church was built in 1911-12, and is at this time the finest and most beautiful church edifice in the city and county. The congregation was organ- ized in July, 1905. Most of its members had been members of the St. Mary's congregation, whose membership had grown so large as to make the building of a new church a necessity. Between 135 and 140 families organized a new congregation, and Rev. J. J. Brennan was sent by the bishop of the diocese to take charge of it. For a church they secured the vacant Methodist church
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building and parsonage for $6,500 and made some improvements at once. The church stood on the corner of Second and Grant streets and was unused, because the Methodist congregation was occupying at that time their new and much larger church on Third street.
Under the charge of Reverend Brennan the congregation grew so rapidly that in a few years the church could not hold the worshipers, and a new edifice was contemplated. Without losing time, Reverend Brennan and the trustees secured the lots on corner of Second and McClellan streets and plans for a new church were obtained and building begun in 1911 and completed in 1912, large for years yet to come; at least that was the intention of the founders. If the congregation continues to grow in the future as in the past, it will not be very long, however, when another church will become a neces- sity again.
The church was dedicated by Right Rev. Bishop James A. Schwebach, bishop of La Crosse. in whose diocese it is, on the 17th day of December, 1912, with impressive ceremonies.
The total cost of the building is $47,500, not including the high altar, which was taken over from the old church; nor the organ, which was do- nated by the young ladies of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, which will come to $3,500. The value of the property, including the real estate owned by the congregation, is fully seventy thousand dollars ; the edifice stands in the very heart of the city, though not exactly in the business portion. At the present the congregation numbers three hundred families, and over fifteen hundred communicants.
The success of building up this congregation and edifice in so short time is the highest testimonial of the confidence the congregation bears to their beloved pastor, the Rev. J. J. Brennan, in his worth as a priest as well as in his business capacity.
THE FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
A society was organized December 10, 1870, probably known as the "People's Church," or the "Liberal Religion Society." The early records of this society have been lost, but among those who were interested in this move- ment may be mentioned the names of B. G. Plumer, R. P. Manson, D. B. Willard, Mrs. Mary Scholfield, James McCrossen, William Gouldsbury, Nathaniel T. Kelly, William P. Kelly and M. D. Corey, then the leading business men in Marathon county. A substantial church was built in 1871 on the northeast corner of Fifth and McClellan streets. This church was after- wards, in 1881, sold to the St. Stephan's Evangelical Lutheran church.
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The first minister, Rev. B. F. Schultz, came soon after the church was finished in 1872, and also conducted a private school, which was well patron- ized. He departed from Wausau about the year 1874, and was succeeded by Rev. J. S. Fall, who remained about two years.
After the church was sold there was for some time no regular meeting place for this society, but a reorganization was effected in 1886 and the society incorporated under the laws of the state as "The First Universalist Church of Wausau." During the same year a church building was erected on a lot donated by Mrs. Mary Scholfield on northwest corner of Fifth and McClellan streets. A parsonage was built in 1889. The preamble to the constitution of the congregation reads: "We, whose names are herewith annexed, believing that sound morality constitutes the basis of true life, hereby associate ourselves together in society relations. The objects of this society shall be to promote the welfare of the society by stimulating the acquisition and diffusion of knowledge, the cultivation of virtue and honor, to unite the members into a close friendship, and encourage them to lead a life consistent with morality and sound reason."
For many years the late Judge T. C. Ryan served the church either as moderator or clerk. The following have served as pastors of the church since 1886: Revs. B. F. Rogers, J. L. Andrews, - - Schindler, W. S. Williams, B. F. Snook, B. B. Gibbs, and T. B. Fischer.
The present pastor, Rev. William H. Gould, took charge January 1, 1912. The church is in a strong and prosperous condition, having a membership of ninety-four; having a well organized Sunday school, a society of young people's union, boy scouts, missionary society, ladies' aid, and a strong men's club.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATION.
The First Presbyterian congregation traces its beginning to June 3, 1858, when it was organized by Rev. Charles F. Halsey, evidently a missionary member, with five charter members, the first members being Richard H. Lib- bey, John Dobbie, Mrs. Elizabeth Gouldsbury, Mrs. Jane Hobart, Mrs. Clarissa Calkins, Mrs. Mary Poor, Mrs. Adeline Green, and Mrs. Sylvia Anne Halsey.
The membership slowly increased, but was not large enough to build a house of worship, and the first meetings were held in a dwelling located about 2II Forest street, though the actual organization was begun over the work- shop of Mr. Corey, across from the courthouse square, which was afterwards a shingle mill, which burnt in 1866.
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There seems to have been no regular service after Reverend Halsey left in 1863, until a reorganization was effected in 1868.
The general assembly reports for 1870-71-72 show eight members, and no report is given for 1873; and from 1870, 1872 and 1874 the church is shown as vacant.
Divine services commenced again in a schoolhouse by Mr. Farewell, a licentiate from Lane Seminary, acting as pastor at request, and religious meetings were held at the courthouse, the Universalist church, and school- house. Mr. Farewell remained about one year, until the end of 1875.
Early in 1876, Rev. J. W. Hageman was called as pastor, the congregation having been much strengthened in the previous years, especially by the acces- sion of the families of J. M. Smith, M. A. Hurley, and the Armstrongs. A Sunday school was organized, and under his pastorage, the first church, now the garage of T. H. Jacob, was built and dedicated in the fall of 1881.
In the following year provisions were made for the purchase of a house and lot for a parsonage. On July 15, 1882, on a call issued to Rev. William R. Stewart, he took charge of the congregation and served most acceptably until his death, June 14, 1885.
From February 9, 1886, to May 27, 1888, Rev. Thomas G. Smith, D. D., was the resident pastor, and was succeeded by Rev. W. O. Carrier, who was pastor until his resignation, in August, 1900. Under the pastorage of Reverend Carrier the congregation had largely grown in numbers; the present fine church, costing about thirty thousand dollars, was built and dedicated February 21, 1897 ; a number of chapels were established in the county, which gave evidence of the earnest work of the congregation under his charge.
He was succeeded by Rev. S. N. Wilson, D. D., who resigned in August, 1908, whose field of labor was enlarged by the founding of missions in Edgar, Stratford, and Fenwood. The present pastor is Rev. James M. Duer, who took charge of the congregation April 1. 1909.
The church of the First Presbyterian congregation is one of the many fine edifices which certify to the Christian spirit of the people of Wausau, with a steadily growing congregation. It celebrated its twenty-fifth anni- versary in 1903. There are no debts, the last having been paid in 1901, and the congregation can and does assist smaller, struggling missions in the teach- ings of the gospel of Christ.
ST. STEPHAN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGREGATION.
St. Stephan's Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized Novem- ber 6, 1881, by Rev. F. G. Reinicke, who had been pastor of the St. Paul's
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congregation, and who was pastor of this congregation until 1898, when sickness and old age made retirement convenient.
When the congregation organized it purchased the church building of the Universalist congregation on Fifth street. After Reverend Reinicke's retirement Rev. F. Werhahn was called to the pastorage, which he filled until 1910, when Rev. William Spiegel was chosen his successor.
The congregation had a sound growth from its beginning, but under Reverend Werhahn its growth was much more rapid and almost marvelous The church soon proved too small to hold the worshiping mass of people. and a new and larger one became a necessity. A magnificent church building was erected in 1910 at a cost of about sixty thousand dollars, the largest church edifice at the time in Wausau. The building was completed and the church dedicated under Pastor Werhahn's pastorage.
The membership numbers now 450 families, with 1,500 communicants.
On January 6, 1907, the congregation amended its constitution, adopting all confessionals of the Evangelical Lutheran church, hence its confessional standpoint is strictly Lutheran. The congregation has its parochial school, presided over by teachers C. Giese and O. H. Blase. The service is con- ducted in the German language, excepting monthly English evening services, which were introduced in January, 1911.
Under the pastorate of Rev. Wm. Spiegel the congregation is in a most flourishing condition, and the large church is filled with devoted worshipers every Sunday and Holyday.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ZION'S CONGREGATION.
This congregation was organized by Rev. W. L. Rosenwinkle, A. D. 1874, with eight members. The first church and parsonage were located on Sey- mour street near Frenzel street. In 1876 Reverend Rosenwinkel was suc- ceeded by Rev. W. Weber, who served the congregation as a filial charge while he resided in town Wausau, till April, 1882. In April, 1882, the Rev. H. Erck was called. Under Reverend Erck the present church building on corner Fifth and Scott streets was built, the same being dedicated October 19, 1884. It cost $3,600. The congregation then numbered sixty members. In June, 1889, when Rev. H. Erck was succeeded by Rev. C. A. Bretscher, the congregation numbered one hundred and five voting members. Under Rev. C. A. Bretscher the church building was enlarged and remodeled at an additional cost of $7,000. This was in 1903. In 1908 all members living on the west side of the river (eighty) were branched off and organized the Evan-
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gelical Lutheran Trinity congregation. The mother congregation aided them to the extent of $6,000 and the building site. When Reverend Bretscher resigned, January, 1911, the congregation numbered 194 voting members. The present pastor, Rev. George C. Schroedel, was installed in May, 191I.
Zion congregation maintained a parochial school since 1876. The present school building, corner Fifth and McClellan streets, was built in 1892. Under the able leadership of Prof. W. Wetzel, assisted by Prof. W. Haas and Miss Ida Braun, Zion's school ranks second to none in the schools of Wausau.
Zion congregation now numbers 207 voting members, about 1,000 souls, and has 160 children in its school.
The property, church, school, parsonage, and teacher's dwelling are valued at about thirty thousand dollars.
IMMANUEL NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The Immanuel Norwegian Lutheran church was organized during the early part of the year 1884 by the Rev. N. Foerde (Förde). In August of the same year the church was dedicated. The congregation is affiliated with the Norwegian Lutheran Synod of the United States. For a number of years services have been conducted both in the English and Norwegian lan- guages in this church.
The following pastors have served the congregation: N. Förde, Paul Koren, I. G. Monson, T. Norseth, B. J. Larson, A. O. Dolven, J. Grevstad, O. Skatteboe, A. W. Hirstendahl, L. O. Qien, G. C. Ulen and O. T. Boe.
The church is situated on McClellan street.
GERMAN BAPTIST.
The German Baptist congregation of Wausau was organized August 23, 1880, and the church edifice erected in 1886. Rev. W. M. Kroesch was the first minister and served from July, 1880, until May, 1883. From June, 1883, to September, 1883, the services were conducted by Charles Rocho, a student, and a resident minister in the person of Rev. C. Jung took charge of the congregation from August, 1884, to February, 1886; he was succeeded by Rev. M. Dornke, who served from September, 1886, to May, 1891. From September, 1891, Rev. J. F. Matzick was the resident minister until May, 1895, when he was succeeded by Rev. H. Schroeder, who served from August, 1895, to August, 1898; from November, 1898, to April, 1900, Rev. J. Schlipf was the resident minister, and from that time to May, 1906, Rev. A. L.
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Tilgner, when Rev. H. Schmidt attended to the wants of the congregation until June, 1911. The present resident minister, Rev. F. W. Socolofski, came in October, 191I.
The congregation consists of 43 families, with a church membership of 139.
The church is situated on corner of Sixth and Steuben streets.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The congregation organized in the spring of 1884. The foundation of the church on the corner of Grant and Fourth streets, now used for worship, was laid in the fall of 1886, and the building dedicated January 8, 1888. Rev. G. S. Martin, the first pastor of the church, closed his labors the next September.
The succeeding pastorates have been as follows: Rev. J. H. Sampson, from 1888 to 1890; Rev. D. R. McGregor, from 1890 to 1892; Rev. K. N. Morrill, from 1892 to 1894; Rev. A. J. Morris, from 1894 to 1895; Rev. W. I. Coburn, from June, 1896, to September, 1897: Rev. F. C. R. Jackson, from 1897 to 1898; Rev. Adam Fawcett, from 1899 to 1903; Rev. E. A. Patch, from 1903 to 1906; Rev. Frederick H. Donovan, from 1907 to 1908; Rev. Guy C. Crippen, 1908 to 1911 ; Rev. O. D. Briggs is the present pastor.
Societies connected with the church are: The Ladies' Aid Society ; Graded Sunday School, Woman's Missionary Society, Young People's Christian Endeavor, Boys' Club.
EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH.
The Evangelical Reformed congregation was organized December 25, 1886, with the following charter members : Peter C. Peterson, William Kiene- mann, Rudolph Wiesman, Henry Mannecke, Sr., Adolph Storch, William Nagel, Daniel Fischer, E. H. Kohnhorst, and William Hagen.
About the year 1887, a number of immigrants from Westphalia, Ger- many, settled in Wausau; they were members of the Reformed church while in Germany, and naturally desired to worship in that faith in the new home. Fortunately, they found a Reformed minister, who was also from Germany, in the person of Rev. H. W. Stienecker, with whom they were personally acquainted, and who at that time was pastor of a Reformed congregation in Dale, Wisconsin. He conducted their religious services from time to time in private houses and school buildings. Thus the people were kept together
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until they were ready to unite in a congregation. A prominent member of this small church was H. Mannecke, Sr., who spared neither time nor effort to promote the good cause. He was an active member and officer of the congregation until his death a few years ago. For his efficient work and sacrifices brought for the welfare of the church he will always be gratefully remembered.
The congregation was organized by Rev. O. Muehlmeier, who was also its first pastor. In the beginning services were held in a small Norwegian church on Clark's Island; later the congregation convened in the Presbyterian chapel on Third avenue north. In the year 1888 the congregation erected a church edifice of its own on Jefferson street, but when a few years later the west side became more densely settled, it was found necessary to relocate to Third avenue south, where the congregation has its church and parsonage today. During the subsequent years the congregation progressed and has grown, so that today it has a membership of one hundred and twenty-five families. The following are the names of the ministers who in time have served the congregation : Rev. O. Muehlmeier, 1886-90; Rev. L. Bruegger, 1890-91 ; Rev. T. C. Schneller, 1892-1901 ; Rev. E. A. Fuenfstueck, 1901-10. Since February, 1910, the congregation's first minister, Rev. O. Muehlmeier,. has resumed his work as pastor of this field.
The present officers of the church are: Richard Flatter, president ; Albert Michler, secretary; Albert Rapraeger, treasurer.
The Sunday school is in a prosperous condition, having as many as one hundred and forty scholars. During the summer months a parochial school is conducted by the minister, the object being to teach the children the funda- mental truths of the Christian religion in the German language, thus training them to become faithful and loyal church members in later years.
A Young People's Society has been organized and holds its meetings once a month. The work of this society is not exclusively of a religious nature; much attention is paid to literary entertainments.
Two years ago the congregation celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary. It had the privilege at that time to look over a quarter century of prosperity and blessing. The congregation is without debt, which is due mostly to the efficient work of the Ladies' Aid Society. This society has an enrollment of sixty-five members and is active in every respect.
The former preachers of the congregation are all living, with the excep- tion of Rev. L. Bruegger, who died several years ago. Rev. F. C. Schneller holds a pastorate in Tillamook, Oregon, and Reverend Fuenfstueck, who has retired from the active ministry, lives at Wausau.
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CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.
First Church of Christ Scientist of Wausau was organized in 1894, with Miss Margaret Scholfield first reader and Mrs. W. S. Williams second reader. There were ten families in the congregation at that time, and services were held in the Myer's building; later the services were held in the Universalist church. In 1906 the old Presbyterian church on Mcclellan street was pur- . chased and services held there until the spring of 1912, when the property was sold and the "Log Cabin" (printing office of the Philosopher) property at the park of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad depot was pur- chased and remodeled, where the services are held now. The congregation comprises now over twenty families. The present first reader is J. B. Hall; second reader, Mrs. Elmer Miller.
SWEDISH METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
A congregation was organized December 13, 1895, by Rev. John O. Borjeson as pastor and Mikal Forsmo, Gustaf Rylander and Andrew T. Pearson as trustees. They purchased the old Presbyterian church on Scott street and there held their services for some years. In 1905 they sold this property and under the pastorage of Rev. Louis Johnson built a church on Main street in the same year. It is a neat frame building, large enough for the congregation for some years to come. The Swedish population is not very strong in Wausau, but this congregation numbers twenty families. The following named pastors served the congregation at different times, to wit: Revs. John O. Borjeson, Klas Okerman, Victor Swift, Andrew Fedrikson, Louis Johnson, Alex Sjoding, Theo. Livingston, Elmer F. Lund, A. G. Olson, who is the present resident pastor.
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