Monroe County, Wisconsin - Chapter 32: Churches of Sparta, 1912

Chapter 32: Churches of Sparta

The Congregational church liad its beginning with the coming of Rev. AV. F. Avery, who arrived October 24, 1854; having finished his studies at Amherst College, Massachusetts, he started West and, upon his arrival, found everything crude and primitive, but he entered into the work with great earnestness ; after three and a half years his health broke down from overwork. At first, there being no meetinghouse, services were conducted in private houses, the church being formally organized June 22, 1855, commenced the building of a church in the winter of 1856, which was formally dedicated June 11, 1857 ; it was erected at a cost of $3,800 complete. The first deacons of the church were Joseph Avery, the father of the pastor; Guy C. Hoyt, and H. M. Sandford. Deacon Avery was untiring in his efforts in behalf of his church, and it was through his efforts that the church building was erected. The first board of officers was elected March 8, 1856, consisting of six trustees, being George AV. Root, G. C. Hoyt, E. S. Blake, E. Lathrop, Joseph Avery and A. F. Childs.

In 1858 Rev. Avery resigned, and from that period to 1867 the pulpit was occupied by five different clergymen ; the Rev. Joseph Carmichael became the pastor in 1866 and served for nine years, being followed by Rev. Geo. F. Hunting for two years, and he in turn succeeded by Rev. Frank T. Lee, who entered the pastorate January 23, 1879. During his time the church made rapid progress.

The Rev. AVilliam Crawford followed him, commencing the work April 8, 1883, and continued as pastor for about eighteen years, and it was during his long pastorate that the church reached its climax of success ; Dr. Crawford, a most earnest Christian, of great executive ability, a profound scholar upon whom his college, Amherst, has conferred the degree of D.D., was closely allied with the best interests of Sparta, and the memory of the great work accomplished by him will long linger ate, ami largely due to his efforts, that the present beautiful cluireh was erected at a cost of about ii^20,U()0 and dedicated June 23, 1879.

This church is far beyond the cliurch building ordinarily found in a city of this size; it is l)uilt upon grand architectural lines, handsome in appearance, fitted inside with a large pipe organ and modern church furnishings, a large, roomy auditorium, tlie acoustic properties of which are excellent, church ])arlors Avhicli can be opened into the main auditorium and a Avell-appointed basement dining room and kitchen, in which church suppers are frequently held.

Rev. E. AV. lluelster was called to the pastorate from the East, succeeding Dr. CraAvford, in January, 1901 ; upon his retirement, after considerable discussion, the Rev. F. AV. A\'alker Pugh, pastor of the First Baptist Church of the city, was engaged as pastor, and the two church organizations formed an alliance; the Baptist church being so small in num])ers that to maintain a clergyman was almost out of the question ; the coalition Avas effected ; the two church societies joined in supporting the church Avork of the Congregational church, although each organization still retains its olftcers and each conducts its annual church meeting as before. The arrangement seems to be a A'ery happy one, as the congregation, thus augmentedj supports the church very Avell.

Rev. Harding Hogan succeeded Dr. Pugh. having been the pastor for about tAvo years last past ; Rev. Hogan is a fortunate addition to the local clergy, a man of broad mind, a deep student, gifted far beyond the ordinary Avith eloquence, his sermons, habitually delivered AA'ithout the aid of a manuscript, are models of logic, thought and diction. There are the usual societies connected AA'ith the church Avhich maintain the ordinary church activities and do much charity A\'ork, and the church is fortunate in having a large choir of mixed voices, ably conducted by Dr. S. D. Beebe.

The Catholic Church

Sparta Avas visited for the first time by a Catholic priest in 1858, in Ihe ]>erson of the Rev. Father Rrtche. Avho celebrated mass in a lailroad shanty. At lliat time there Avere but few Catholic families in the village, but Avith the advent of Father ]\Iontague, who succeeded Father Roche in 18G0, began the groAvtli of the congregation UJitil in llie year lS(iT a frame ehureh AA'as built, under the direction of Father Alarco; Father

This building was located somewhere near the present Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company depot, and the first members of tlie congregation were H. Fanning, Thomas and Pat Brennan, H. Schroff, D. Sullivan, P. Fitzgerald, C. Bedenk, H. C. MuUer, T. McGargle, H. Carr. AY. Lennon, M. Bransfield, Thomas and Bernard Mulrenin. Ed Barry, William, Thomas, Ed and John BoAvler, Pat Davis, Con. Carroll, Jacob Poss, J. Antweiler, John AYagner and Alec Allen, five of whom, Pat and Thomas Brennan, AA^illiam and Thomas Bowler and Thomas Mulrenin, are still living.

The Rev. Father Quigley succeeded Father i\Iarco as the pastor in 1867, and he in turn was succeeded by the Rev. Father Dorward of Tomah, who on the 14th day of August, 1876, was succeeded in turn by Rev. J. B. IMetzler, who held the pastorate until August, 1877. when the Rev. Joseph Bauer relieved him ; he officiated until 1877, when Rev. J. AVicker took charge, until 1879, when Rev. J. B. AViedman succeeded him. The church first erected in 1867, near the depot, was moved to the present location in 1877 ; the membership at that time consisted of about fifty families.

Rev. Father T. H. Beau succeeded Father AYiedman in the pastorate, and after a short pastorate of a few months by Rev. J. Kennedy, he in turn was succeeded by Rev. Father H. F. Flock, who marks the twenty-fifth j^ear of his pastorate in 1912. During the latter 's pastorate the old church was enlarged and remodeled at an expense of about $2,000. Until about 1897 two mission churches were attached to the Sparta church, one at Summit of about fifty families, and one at Pine Hill, near Shamrock, of about twenty families. Since 1897 the Sparta congregation has service every Sunday ; the aforesaid church at Summit now having a resident pastor, and the church at Pine Hill being attended from Black River Falls.

On Sunday morning, January 22, 1905, the church was totally destroyed by fire, which started in the basement and, it being an old wooden building, it soon went up into flames. The congregation, luckily, had $2,300 of insurance on this building, so that it was not a total loss.

Steps were immediately taken for the erection of a new church, and on Sunday, September 24, 1905, the cornerstone of the new edifice was laid with impressive ceremonies by Bishop Schwebach, of LaCrosse, and on June 5, two years later, the bishop again visited the elnireh and presided at the dedicatory ceremonies, Avliieli were very e]al)orate. The clnirch OAvns the entire ])lock upon wliidi its huildinos are situated, Avith tlie exception of four h)ts Avhieh are owned bj' the Franciscan Sisters and upon which stands the St. Mary's Domestic Science school building.

The congregation has a membership of something over 100 families, who are steady supporters of the church, besides about fifty who are occasional contributors. Though not large, the congregation has made a splendid showing the last few years in erecting a new parsonage at a cost of !|<4,000 ; buying new property to the value of $6,000, and building the new church at a cost of $30,000 with a residue debt of only $15,000 at the present time and that is being paid at a rapid rate.

St. Mary'S Domestic Science School

This is not financially connected with St. Patrick's congregation, but is a separate institution conducted by the Franciscan Sisters of LaCrosse, "Wis. Originally the building which was considerably smaller than now, was used as a school and afterwards it was changed to a girls' orphanage, for which purpose it Avas used until 1889, when the orphans were taken to LaCrosse, and it then became a boarding school until about the year 1905.

The sisters then determined to undertake the opening of a domestic science school in connection with the St. ]\Iary's Convent, and it became a success from the start; it then was necessary to enlarge the buildings to accommodate the increasing attendance. The building was thoroughly remodeled and enlarged and school formally opened on I\Ionday, January 6, 1908. It is equipped with a large and commodious kitchen, a spacious dining room, sewing room, class room, bright, airy dormitories, a wellequipped laundry, several music rooms, all well lighted, steam heat and ventilation and provided with all modern improvements, arranged with a view to the practical convenience and comfort of the pupils.

This is a school for girls, and its principal purpose is to teach domestic science and all its branches, which includes for the first year, cooking and serving of meals, table etiquette, study in composition and nutrient value of various foods, housekeeping and home management, laundering in all its branches, plain sewing, mending and darning, the making of simple garments, common and fancy needlework. The second year of the course includes also home-nursing, care of the sick and the sick room, making, cutting and fitting of garments and art needlework. Music is also taught, tlie music department being well provided with rooms and instruments. Orchestra concerts and musical programs are provided for the entertainment of the pupils and their friends ; there is also a course of drawing and painting, which is optional for those who desire to take it. In connection with the other instructions in the school, religious instruction is given, and the training and discipline Avhich will cultivate in its pupils the Christian virtues and special traits of womanly character that should be prominent in good Christian homes.

The following is. a list of the graduates of the school: 1910 - Veronica Elner, New Ulm, Minn. 1911 - Emily Shornar, La Crosse, Wis. ; Gertrude Beecher, Eau Claire, Wis. ; Pauline Hildebrand, Sheboygan, Wis. ; Catherine Schmitt, St. Lucas, la. 1912 - Clara Belter, Athens, AVis. ; Anna Beil, Athens, Wis. ; Mary Greiner, Athens, AVis. ; Clemence Canar, Mondovi, AVis. ; Florence Schlosser, Eau Claire, AVis. ; Anna Alariek, Eau Claire, AVis. ; Sophia Duren, Cazenovia, Wis. ; Clara Muehlenkamp, Norwalk, AVis. ; Elizabeth Rick, Plain, AVis. ; Alary E. Hughes, Greenwood, AVis.

The Order Of The Sacred Heart

This city is fortunate in being selected as one of the three points in the United States where is established a home for the members of this order.

In August, 1911, the property known as the Judge Romanzo Bunn residence, on South Court street, was purchased, which includes about thirteen acres of land, and became a mission house of this order, and on September 27th it was dedicated by the Rev. James Schwebaeh, bishop of LaCrosse, with impressive ceremonies. This order was originally founded in France, by Very Rev. Jules Chevalier, December 8, 1851, but in consequence of the French anti-clericalism, the society was moved from France, wdiere it had a magnificent basilica, dedicated to our Lady of the Sacred Heart, which annually attracted thousands of pilgrims and established its headquarters in Holland, from which it rapidly spread over many countries. The mother home is now located in Rome.

The chief activities of the order are the missions of the South Sea and Philippine Islands ; the society is especially strong in New Guinea, where it has a complete organization, headed by an arclil)isli()|) willi 140 ])riests and 100 lay bretiircn ; in llic i'liilippiue Lslands tlicro are twenty-five priests and twenty lay brethren. Altlioujrli 1lic missions are dang^erons and ditficult, they are declared lo he llic most pi'ospt'i'oiis of any througlioul the world, and the ordci- lias at this time a total membership of 600 priests and 200 lay brothers. At tiie mission home in tliis city tliere are at tlie present time an average of about seven priests who are here for rest from their arduous labors.

The home is well located geographically, and it is expected in the future that it will grow in usefulness and be the home of many of these missionaries during the times in which they are permitted to retire from active service and recruit their health and strength.

Methodist Episcopal Church

In the early settlement of the country it seems that the Methodist denomination Avas first on the ground in Sparta in the person of Rev. Frederick Walrath, who preached the first sermon in 1851 to a congregation of five persons, services being held in the cabin of iNlr. Petit.

Rev. AValrath continued to hold services from that time until 1854, the membership numbering about twenty-five persons ; in that year the first regularly appointed pastor took charge, the Rev. Mr. ^layne. Although regularly assigned to this clnirch, the organization did not, in fact, take place until 1850: at that time Rev. Reuben R. Wood, presiding elder of the LaCrosse district, AVisconsin conference, appointed Frederick AValrath, AV. J. Tucker, Albert II. Blake, Benjamin Stevens and J. W. Harding as trustees of the church at Sparta, to hold in trust all church property; the organization being completed according to the laws of the state by the presiding elder acknowledging the execution of the certificate before E. S. Blake, notary public, at Sparta, on the 16th day of February, 1856, the document being filed in the office of the county clerk on the same date.

In 1856 a neat church was erected at a cost of about H'2,500. and about that tinu' a bell was presented to the church by the members of the community, the sum of $450 having been raised by subscription for that jMu-pose. and became a great addition to the building. The eliureii was. of course, regularly sujiplied inuler the system used in the Methodist conference, Avith })astors, during the first years, and for a great many years the five-year rub' being in force; a record of all of the pastors is not available, but among them have been humi of high intellectual attainments, among them might be mentioned the Rev. Seamann, Rev. Trimm, Avho became presiding elder of this district a few years ago ; Rev. AVright, who afterwards was sent to Europe in the missionary work; Rev. Bauchop, who believed in practical patriotism, joined the Sparta military company and received a commission as lieutenant, serving for a time faithfully and well.

Rev. L. A. Brenner perhaps accomplished the greatest amount of improvement in church property, for during his incumbency for a few years ending in 1911, the church Avas greatly improved and enlarged, and through his etforts money was raised and a magnificent pipe organ purchased and installed ; the building entirely fitted with beautiful stained glass windows.

In the past years the church has had able managers among its trustees, and has acquired the title to most of the block upon Avhich the church building is situated ; has erected a fine parsonage for the pastor's use, which is one of the finest appointed residences in the city.

During the fall of 1911 the conference of the LaCrosse district was held at this church; at this meeting Rev. L. A. Brenner was appointed district superintendent, a fitting reward for good and faithful service. The church has a large membership, is in a good condition financially, and wields a considerable influence in the community ; has many societies connected with it, especially among the young people, and strong Sunday school and Epworth League ; the pastor at the present writing being Rev. Straw.

First Baptist Church

Was organized September 9, 1854, with sixteen members, its first pastor being the Rev. James Squier; after an existence of some months the church disbanded and was reorganized on the 29th of June, 1856, with twenty-two constituent members, who adopted the New Hampshire confession of faith, and during the first year, under the pastorate of Rev. AY. H. Card, the membership increased by the addition of fifty-one persons ; in 1 858 the first church building was erected on Benton street ; subsequently this was disposed of and, under the pastorate of Rev. S. S. ATalker, a church building was erected on the corner of Oak and Court streets, the present site ; in 1895 the congregation having grown to substantial proportions, erected the beautiful church Avhich occupies the site Avhich was formally dedicated February 7th, 1897. The church, during the succeeding years, had varied success, but gradually, through removals from the city, the mem- bershij) clwiiulknl to a })uiiit wliieh, as has l)i'eii said, resulted in the coalition with the Congregational society during the pastorate of the Rev. F. AV. AValker Pugh ; at the publication of this history the arrangement still continues, a striking illustration that letting down the bars in denominational religion results and can result in greater good.

The Episcopal Church

The first services of this church were held at what was known at "Union Block," just south of Assembly hall, by Rev. Fayette Durlin, missionary stationed at LaCrosse ; he visited Sparta occasionally thereafter for some time. Bishop Kemper made the first Episcopal visitation in 1859, at which time Mrs. J. AV. AValrath, ]\Irs. J. D. Condit and Mrs. J. AY. Smith received the rite of confirmation. In 1860 the first Sunday school was organized by a few ladies at the home of ]\Irs. 0. D. Kaiidall, which held its first sessions at Liberty hall. In 1861 the lot was purchased where the little church noAv stands, and in 1863 a plain church "was erected through the efforts of the few meml)ers and the donations from all classes of citizens. In April, 1863. St. John's Church Avas formally organized with the Rev. AV. P. Ten Broeck as pastor. !Many clergymen have been assigned to tliis little church, Avhich has had a varied existence, at times no services being held, at others occasional service and at times having a missionary priest regularly in charge.

Of late years the most determined effort to inaugurate a revival of the church membership and work was undertaken, with the coming of Rev. A. J. R. Goldsmith from England, sent here by Bishop Nicholson; he arrived in July. 1906. and remained about two years, during which time he was ordained by Bishop AYebl) ; he resigned and went to Arapahoe, Neb. In September, 1909, Rev. Robert T. ]\IcCutchen assumed charge, holding regular services up to the time when he received an appointment from the general board of missions in New York City as missionary to the Philippine Islands, with residence at Sagada, for whicli duty he and his wife left Sparta early in 1911. The church has since been closed, except for occasioiud services which have l)een supplied by Rev. Link fioiii Alauston.