Marathon County, Wisconsin - Chapter 21, 1913

The Methodist Congregation

It seems that the Metliodists were the first of all religious denominations to hold regular church service; they had visiting ministers regularly as early as 1853, and even earlier, a Reverend Greenleaf of Stevens Point coming up from Stevens Point and holding meetings ; then Rev. M. D. Warner organized a class with the assistance of Judge Kennedy, and somewhat later M. H. Barnum was called upon b\' the people to fill the pulpit, which he did for about one year. On the i^th day of May, 1858, at the conference in Beloit, Bishop Morris made W'ausau a regular appointment, sending Rev. R. S. Hayward as the first regularly stationed pastor, and in 1859 a church and parsonage were completed on corner of Second and Grant streets. Rev. W. J. Olmstead was assigned to the post and had a successful year. In 1861 Rev. C. Baldock had charge of Wausau and Mosinee. In 1862 Reverend Olmstead was returned, remaining until 1865, when Reverend Bassett came. In 1866 Rev. \\'illiam \\'illard was here until 1868; the parsonage burned in 1866, the pastor losing all his goods; from 1868 to 1869, the year the church burned, Rev. J. T. Gaskell was the pastor.

The church was soon rebuilt and the following named ministers attended to the religious wants of the congregation: 1870. Rev. E. T. Briggs; 1871, Rev. H. B. Crandall; 1872-75, Thomas Walker. Then there were Revs. G. Fallows. Jesse Coles, J. T. Chynoweth, W. W. Stevens and Benjamin Sanford; who was pastor from 1880 to 1882, followed by C. L. Logan, 1882-83;

G. C. Carmichael, 1903-05: F. H. Brigham, 1905-12; Richard Evans, 1912. The church built at corner of Second and Grant streets was sold to the

Catholic St. James congregation after the new First Methodist Episcopal church on Third and Franklin streets was completed and occupied. This church is one of the largest and finest edifices in the city. It was completed in

1905 at a cost of about forty thousand dollars. The cornerstone was laid by Bishop H. C. McCabe, August 12, 1904, with appropriate ceremonies, Mayor Zimmermann taking part therein, ^^'hile this church building seemed very large when built, it does not more than comfortably seat the present congregation, which is constantly growing.

On March 12, 1854, the first services of the Episcopal church were held at Wausau in the assembly room of the "Forest House," Rev. Thomas Green conducting the service. There was no resident pastor at that time in Wausau, Reverend Green being stationed at Stevens Point, and he for some time afterwards visited this city and held church services.

In 1858 a permanent organization was effected legally and canonically, with him as resident rector. A lot was purchased and the erection of a church edifice begun, but not completed. It stood in this unfinished state until blown down by a storm in 1863.

Reverend Green had moved away from Wausau in 1861, serving as pastor in the anny, and did not return until 1869. After his return the work of building a church was begun again and in due time completed and the church was consecrated. Reverend Green remained as pastor until 1873, when he resigned, and Rev. Philip McKim succeeded him and remained until 1876; he was followed by Rev. J. A. Davenport, he being followed by Rev. W. C. Armstrong. Rev. Thomas Green was here all that time, but being superintendent of public schools, gave his time to his official work, only taking the place of pastor when the resident pastor was absent or during an interregnum. Rev. William E. Wright was installed as pastor in 1881 and remained in charge until 189 1. During his incumbency a pastorage was built on the lot adjoining the church, and other improvements made. He was succeeded by Rev. George E. Jenner, who remained until 1893. Then came Rev. J. A. Carr, who remained until 1898, and Rev. W. J. Cordick, from 1898 until May I, 1901, followed by Rev. George Hirst, who resigned on March 24, 1904, and was succeeded by Rev. Edgar Thompson, until his resignation, December 22, 1907, to become archdeacon of Stevens Point. Rev. W. Everett Johnson had charge of the congregation from September 5, 1908, to February 15, 1912, and he was succeeded by Rev. Laurence H. Grant, the present pastor.

Reverend Johnson was the moving spirit in the establishment of the "Infirmary," which is doing excellent work for children, looking after their physical welfare.

This church was organized in 1863 by the German people of Wausau. It was the first Protestant church founded by the German-American citizens, who felt the need of spiritual guidance, and who could not consistently join any of the existing churches holding their services in the English language, even though had they fully understood the language, which they did not. The German element was not very strong at that time, and there were just families enough to found a church and secure the serA'ice of a pastor by all joining together. Consequently the difference in the doctrines of Luther and Calvin were not emphasized and all joined in the worship of the Evangelical church. The first church was built in 1863 and the congregation held uninterrupted service, only interrupted for a week or two during a change of ministers.

The first resident minister was Pastor Waldmann, who was followed by Pastor Stoeffler, until about 1866, when Pastor Albert took charge, who in turn was relieved by Pastor Kern in 1869. Pastor Kern, resigning his pastorate, was followed by Rev. F. Reinecke until 1881, when he resigned, organizing the St. Stephan's congregation. After his resignation Reverend Kern returned, but resigned after a short time, and a missionary held divine service until the arrival of Rev. C. Schaer. Rev. C. Schaer was succeeded by his brother. Pastor Fr. W. Schaer, under whose patronage the present edifice was built in 1886. At the time it was built it was the finest and largest in Wausau. Under Pastor F. W. Schaer many families joined the church, and among the many improvements made during his term must be mentioned the large organ installed in the year 1890. Pastor Schaer resigned in 1909, accepting a call from some Illinois congregation very close to Chicago. Rev. E. Grauer, who succeeded him, arrived in May, 1909, and has since been in charge of the congregation.

Owing to the growth of the city and the organizing of more congregations, some members have withdrawn, joining some congregations nearer to their residence, or because a little closer to their ideas of religious doctrines, but new members have come and the church retains its large influence as a factor

In 1912 a new pastorage was built at a cost of $7,200; it has a ladies" aid association with 136 members, a sewing circle with 35 members, a young men's association with 76 members, three choirs and a juvenile band, and the congregation consists of 390 families.

On February 15. 1913, it celebrated its semi-centennial anniversary with great ceremony and a great outpouring of people, the religious and social festivities continuing during the week following, until the next Sunday.

The Catholics were probably the first that held services in Wausau, for there is a record which shows that mass was held by Reverend Dale at the house of W. D. Mclndoe as early as 1849. Afterwards Reverend Itchmann held ser\^ices in the residence of Mr. M. Stafford, and later there was mass service from time to time held in the store of W. D. Mclndoe. Reverend Pollock came to Wausau from Stevens Point from time to time to attend to the religious wants of the Catholics in this vicinity. After the church in Marathon City was built the priest that had charge of that parish visited Wausau and held services regularly every four weeks in the hall of Levy Gennett, on corner of Forest and Fifth streets, where there is now a bakery. The priest who regularly visited Wausau was Rev. Ch. Hengen.

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. Comelis 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 pastorage 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- 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 IMarinette, 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 thereafter, 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 ad\iser, but their real personal friend as well; he strengthened 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 sanitary condition of the schoolhouse brought up to modem 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 congregation 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 common 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 bv his congregation.

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 Ba}'. 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 Malkowski, Rev. N. Kolasinski and Rev. W. Slicz, who was succeeded in 19 12 by the present pastor, Reverend \\^ojak. There is a powerful organ in the church, installed in 1912.

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 organized 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 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 191 1 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 necessity 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 donated 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.

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 movement may be mentioned the names of B. G. Plmner, 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 ]\Iarathon county. A substantial church was built in 1871 on the northeast corner of Fifth and ^IcClellan streets. This church was afterwards, in 1 88 1, sold to the St. Stephan's Evangelical Lutheran church.

The first minister, Rev. B. F. Schiiltz, came soon after the church was finished in 1872, and also conducted a private school, which was well patronized. 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 Scholiield on northwest corner of Fifth and McClellan streets. A parsonage was built in i88g. 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."

The present pastor. Rev. William H. Gould, took charge January i, 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 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. Libbey, 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 211 Forest street, though the actual organization was begun over the workshop of Mr. Corey, across from the courthouse square, which was afterwards a shingle mill, which burnt in 1866.

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 schoolhouse. 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 accession 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 sensed 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 designation, 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. X. 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 i, 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 anniversary 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 teachings of the gospel of Christ.

St. Stephan's Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized November 6, 1881, by Rev. F. G. Reinicke, who had been pastor of the St. Paul's

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 19 10 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.

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 conducted in the German language, excepting monthly English evening services, which were introduced in January, 191 1.

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.

This congregation was organized by Rev. W. L. Rosenwinkle, A. D. 1874, with eight members. The first church and parsonage were located on Seymour street near Frenzel street. In 1876 Reverend Rosenwinkel was succeeded 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- gelical Lutheran Trinity congregation. The mother congregation aided them to the extent of $6,000 and the building site. When Reverend Bretscher resigned, January, 191 1, the congregation numbered 194 voting members. The present pastor. Rev. George C. Schroedel, was installed in May, 191 1.

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.

The Immanuel Norwegian Lutheran church was organized during the early part of the year 1884 by the Rev. N. Foerde (Forde). 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 languages in this church.

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 ser\'ices 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.

Tilgner, when Rev. H. Schmidt attended to the wants of the congregation until June, 191 1. The present resident minister, Rev. F. W. Socolofski, came in October, 191 1.

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.

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 Kienemann, 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, Germany, 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 Gennany, 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 until they were ready to unite in a congregation. A prominent member of this small church was H. IMannecke, 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 ser\-ices 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 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 fundamental 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 fonner preachers of the congregation are all living, with the exception 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.

And Representative Citizens 365 Christian Science

First Church of Christ Scientist of \\'ausau was organized in 1894, with Miss Margaret Scholtield first reader and ]\Irs. W. S. \\'illiaiTis second reader. There were ten famihes 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 purchased and services held there until the spring of 191 2, 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 purchased 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 IMiller.

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.

The Evangelist Lutheran Trinity Congregation

This congregation was founded by those members of the Evangelical Lutheran Zion congregation who lived on the west side of the Wisconsin river in the summer of 1908. A church was built with a parochial school in the basement at a cost of $19,750. Rev. J. T. Destinon of Gleason, Wisconsin, accepted the call as minister, and Prof. E. Ritzmann as teacher of the school. Both were installed on November i, 1908, the day the church was dedicated. Two years later Professor Ritzmann went to Milwaukee, and Prof. A. T. Landsmann took his place. A second teacher was deemed neces-

The congregation has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth. The charter .members numbered 97, while now the lists show 175 families. In 1912 they built a beautiful parsonage at a cost of $3,725.

Different preachers held services in private homes during the years of 1870-74. Rev. A. H. Kopplin was the first pastor holding meetings at a regular time. He lived in the town of Main. Under his successful leadership it was decided to buy a suitable building lot and to build a church. A suitable location was found, being the corner of Jefferson and Sixth streets (southeast corner). The church was built in 1874, a vet}' modest building, 24 X 34 feet, the building committee being Rev. A. H. Kopplin, Aug. Wilde, Ferdinand Boemke. First trustees of the organized societ}^ were Aug. Wilde, Charles Wilde, John Nass, and F. Lemke. The first parsonage was built in 1 881, during the pastorate of Rev. John Beinert, who resided in the town of Main. Rev. Gustav Magdsick was the first German Methodist Episcopal church pastor who resided here in the city of Wausau, having been sent here in the fall of 1881. Sen-ices were held regularly in the city of Wausau, town of Wausau, and town of Texas. The present church edifice was erected in 1900, Rev. H. F. Mueller being the pastor from 1897 to 1902. The present parsonage, a modern and commodious dwelling, was built in 1906, during the pastorate of Rev. A. M. Wieting. The present membership is one hundred and forty (counting individual members, not by families).

Evangelical Lutheran Salems Congregation And Representative Citizens 367

charter members. The church was built in the same year and dedicated December 20, 1908. The congregation is a member of the Evangehcal Lutheran Synod of Wisconsin and other states. It enjoyed a rapid growth and at present has over one hundred families constituting the congregation. It conducts a parochial school, and owns also its parsonage building. The property at a fair valuation is $10,000. It is situated on Bridge street, on the north side of the city.

The Y. M. C. A.

The above initials are so well understood that they need no explanation for their meaning. The association was established in Wausau in December, 1891. Its first officers and directors were: C. J. Winton, president; C. B. Bird, vice-president; Henry Smith, secretary; C. S. Gilbert, treasurer; and A. H. Clark, F. U. James. A. H. Grout, F. J. Tyrrel and W. W. Wilson, trustees. The first general secretary, F. D. Hopkins, was engaged in the spring of 1893. He served the association until August, 1896, when he removed to Racine, Wisconsin, and in September, i8g6, Neal Campbell of Sheboygan was secured to succeed him. The first permanent home for the association was built in the summer of 1893, at the corner of Scott and Fourth streets, at a cost of $10,000. Here for fifteen years, twelve of which under the management of Mr. Campbell, the association pursued its farreaching work among the men and boys of Wausau.

With the growth of the city there was a gradual stronger demand for a larger building and better equipment, until in January, 1908, the eft'orts of the men interested in the upbuilding of the society bore frtiit in the magnificent building on Third and Grant streets, the present home of the association, at a cost of not less than seventy-five thousand dollars. The men who had direct charge of raising the fund for this new building were Tamar Sexsmith, chairman ; C. J. Winton, H. G. Flieth, G. D. Jones, W. H. Bissell, C. E. Turner and C. B. Bird. Mr. Campbell remained the general secretary continuously from 1896 until the summer of 1912, when he resigned and was succeeded by C. F. Ogden of La Crosse, with C. E. Middleton as physical director, and F. W. Brandenburger as boys' work director.

The present officers and board (February, 1913) are: S. B. Tobey, president; P. F. Stone, vice-president; A. A. Hoeper, secretary: C. E. Parker, treasurer, and Charles Zahn, F. M. James, H. G. Flieth. \^^ C. Landon, James Montgomery, A. H. Clark, C. B. Bird, M. B. Rosenberr\', C. S. Gilbert, C. G. Krueger, and Lamar Sexsmith, trustees.