Warner Township
Clark Co., Wisconsin
50th Anniversary of Immanuel United
Church of Christ
Immanuel United Church of
Christ
Greenwood, Wisconsin
1910 - 1960
To commemorate The 50th
Anniversary of the Present Church
OUR CHURCH IMMANUEL
We love our stately brick Church
Beside a traveled country road
With Shady trees, whose friendly boughs
but preface rest from all life’s load.
We love to think of all the folk
Who gather here from day to day,
Of youths, and age, of rich and poor,
Who meet to hear, and sing, and pray.
We like to pause within the Church
House door, to spend a quiet hour,
To reassure our faith and feel
The unseen Presence, and the power
That stills our frets and soothes our souls,
That fills us with a poise and calm,
That gives us victory and grace,
And lifts our hearts in joyful psalm.
We love our church that breathes
Of many well remembered hours,
Worship service – anthems, sermons-hymns
Christenings, funerals and bridal flowers.
We cherish the memories of our loved ones
Who in the quiet Church yard have found eternal rest;
Our steepled church, a symbol of hope and eternity
Will guide us in the way God sees best.
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR PRESENT CHURCH AND
PARSONAGE.
(The purpose of this Booklet is to give our members
some of the History of the present Buildings, and
events that have made it an influence for the good of
the Community for the past Half-Century.)
Soon after the arrival of Rev. Otto Saewert in
October 1908 the Immanuel Congregation became aware
of the fact that the time had come when a new Church
and Parsonage had to be constructed.
The first great question to be answered was, which
one was to be erected first. The Old Church was far
too small for the Congregation. The Parsonage which
was a log-building had settled about four inches on
the Southwest corner so that there was no level room
in the whole house.
At a Consistory meeting on December 1, 1909 it was
decided to present to the Congregation at the next
Annual meeting, the question of whether to remodel
the Parsonage or build a new one.
At the Annual meeting on January 23rd,
1910, F.W. Vollrath and Theodore Humke stated that
both the old Church and Parsonage had served their
purpose, and that the time had come to build both a
New church and a Parsonage. Naturally there was a
long discussion this important and large undertaking.
It was pointed out that by building both at the same
time, that both buildings could be built much
cheaper. It was agreed that all the hauling of Stone,
Sand, Gravel, Brick and lumber could be done by
members in one operation instead of going through the
same operation again a few years later. Finally John
Schwarze, and Theodore Meinhardt were appointed to
contact all members and secure pledges for a Church
or Parsonage. a pledge either for one, or for both.
Their faithful efforts resulted in the following
results: $4,250.00 was pledged for the building of a
church, and $1,310.00 was also pledged for a new
Parsonage. As a result of this canvas of the
congregation a special meeting of the Congregation
was called.
The Special Congregational meeting was held on
February 6, 1910. It was at this meeting that the
congregation decided to go ahead and build both the
church and Parsonage. It was also decided that the
hauling of all building materials be started
immediately while the sleighing was still good.
The following men were elected to serve on the
building Committee: Henry Awe, Gottlieb Kuester, H.W.
Decker, Henry Humke, John Schwarze, Fred Kuester, and
Fred Brick.
Wm Boedeger of Sheboygan was contacted and authorized
to draw the plans for the new church. Krasin and Co.
of Marshfield was awarded the contract for the actual
construction of the Church.
The contract for the building of Parsonage was
awarded to H.W. Decker, for $1,750.00. Krasin Co.
$3,425.00 for the church.
Never in the History of Immanuel Church was there
such fine cooperation, everyone was willing to do his
full share. 1910 was a very dry year, a good year for
building but a very poor year for crops. Work on the
new church progressed well, and on May
29th, 1910, Cornerstone laying services
were held on a cold and dreary day but the dreariness
of the weather did not dampen the spirits of the
faithful members. Pastor Saewert had charge of the
Cornerstone Laying, and the sermon was delivered by
the Rev. W. Lahr.
Mr. Henry Awe donated all the shingles for both the
church and the Parsonage, which was indeed a
substantial gift. The contractor and all the faithful
workers had the church completed and the new Church
was ready for Dedication on September 25, 1910. We
must agree that to erect a building of this nature in
just a little over three months after the Corner
stone laying, was indeed a speedy piece of work, that
would be hard to duplicate even in this day of speed.
When the great day of Dedication came the Rev.
Saewert, the Pastor opened the church doors as the
Senior choir sang, "Tut mir auf din schoene
pforte", and the Junior choir sang the American
version of the above, "Open now the gates of
Beauty". To my recollection this was the first
time a song in the American language was sung at the
services of this congregation. Professor Hofer of the
Mission House delivered the first sermon in the new
church at the Morning Worship. This service was
followed by an Afternoon service with the Rev. W.
Lemke in charge of the Worship. There was a large
Bell installed in the tall steeple, and this same
bell still rings out for the beginning of every
Worship, after fifty years of service.
The Congregation now had a new Church and Parsonage,
of which the 200 adult members were justly proud,
which was to be for many years its spiritual home to
train and to prepare the 148 unconfirmed members. For
the next six and half years the church was the happy
center of the community’s life. It peace and
quiet was disturbed when war was declared upon
Germany and her Allies on Good Friday April 6, 1917.
Seventeen youth men from Immanuel answered the call
of duty, and served on land, sea and in the air. The
faith of the congregation was further tested when the
deadly influenza epidemic gripped the land, and many
of our members ere critically ill, and at least two
died during this epidemic. Those were indeed trying
days for our congregation, and many of our members of
German extraction suffered indignities, and slurs
during the war years. Our answer was look at our
service record and you will see our loyalty to our
country. The war ended and again Immanuel
congregation began its peaceful life and served the
lord, and raised its sons and daughters to love the
Lord and their church.
Soon the Congregation was to enter upon a new project
in the History of our church. At a special
Congregational meeting held July 13, 1926 it was
voted to plot a new cemetery West of the Church. The
committee elected to take care of this matter was:
Theodore Humke, Henry Franz, and Edwin Kippenhan. The
result of this committee’s splendid work, has
given the church a beautiful Cemetery, where many of
our loved ones have been laid to rest, near the
Church were they have worshiped their God and
Heavenly Father.
It will perhaps interest many to know that the
records show that on January 27, 1927, that these
were the following finances: Pastor’s salary
was $1,000.00, and the current expenses were $520.44,
and the benevolent payments for the year $1,183.00.
We should perhaps note the proportionately Benevolent
payment was higher then than at the present time.
This year 1927 marked another (FIRST) for the
congregation, for it was during this year that
Worship Services in the english language were
conducted once each month.
During the early 1930’s Immanuel Congregation
suffered as did many other congregations as the
severe depression hit the entire nation. Many of our
members felt the effects of this awful depression,
and some lost their farms, but the faithful
congregation kept on in spite of the many
difficulties. Eggs were selling for 6 cents per
dozen, hogs at $2.00 per hundred lbs, and cows were
selling for $8.00 to $10.00 apiece.
As the nation and this community were again thriving
and going forward again. The quiet and peace of all
was upset once again, for our country was again
involved in a 2nd World War, and 25 young
men of the congregation answered the call to duty to
their country. Lt. Herbert Humke the first volunteer
from this Congregation failed to return.
Since the day of dedication of our church in 1910
many changes have taken place over the nation and
community, and also in our church and parsonage. The
members have shown their love of their church
building be redecorating it several time, always
endeavoring to keep the Lord’s house in good
repair, and attractive to all who come there to
Worship. It has also been partly remodeled during the
past fifty years.
The parsonage has been thoroughly remodeled, and
today it is completely modern home with Running
water, and Gas furnance automatically controled with
forced air heat. The congregation has proven that
they maintain and improve their property down through
the years. Both the church and parsonage have had
several paint jobs.
Immanuel congregation has always loved to sing, and
down through its history has always maintained
faithful choirs, and it is a definite challenge to us
living now to maintain this great tradition of our
church. We the following faithful workers in our
church a vote of thanks for maintaining our singing
record. The following have served as choir leaders;
Theodore Humke, Mrs. Paul Franzmeier, Mrs. John
Klingeberger, and now Mrs. Alvin Albert’s. Mrs.
Otto Fravert was organist in the church for many
years until here sister Mrs. Alvin Albert’s
took over, and is still faithfully serving.
Some of the organizations that served the church, and
increased its influence among the membership ware:
The WOMEN’S BUILD, which was known for most of
the years as the Ladies Aid Society, but has adopted
the Denominational name of all Ladies Organizations
within the church today. The Busy Bees has always
been the organization for the young women of the
church, and is still active, even though it present
numbers is not large. This Organization has presented
a set of Lectren Antependia’s to match those
already in use on the Pulpit as near as possible.
The Adult Fellowship has played a very important part
in the life of the congregation, in affording the
married couples of the Church, fellowship, and
educational entertainment. They have given
scholarship each year to our Campers for Moon Beach.
The Youth Fellowship services the church by affording
the Youth of the church an opportunity to take a more
vital part in the life of the Church as they prepare
themselves for the future years to come.
One of our Organizations of which we all can be proud
of is our male chorus, which was organized in 1956,
with Mrs. Clarence Meinhard as Pianist. We all love
to hear them sing as did at our Anniversary Service
today. It is indeed a unique thing for a Congregation
to be able to boast of a Male Chorus.
Another important year in the history of our church
occurred in the year 1951, when many members of the
former (Salem) congregation (which was discontinued)
joined with Immanuel Congregation to give them a
boost in numbers and more important a group of
faithful church workers. Others from Salem joined
with Zion Church in Greenwood.
In the year 1952, on April 20th, the
Congregation at a Special meeting voted 80 to 4 to
launch an extensive remodeling project, and an
addition to the present Church. It was voted to build
an addition 20 ft wide and 34 ft. long to the North
end of the church. At the committee meeting later is
was decided to extend the new addition 8 ft. further
to the East, and have an entrance door from the
South. The Basement portion of the addition was to
contain a modern kitchen, furnace room, rest rooms,
and a small hall. The second story was to be one
large room for Sunday School, other organizational
meeting, choir dressing rooms, with closets for their
gowns and Sunday school supplies. On August 25, 1952
ground was broken for the new addition. The Tall
chimney at the North end of the church had to be
removed, and also most of the North wall of the
Church. Again the members cooperated and in one day
with five tractors and several men, the excavation
was completed for this addition. The committee had to
wait for the blue prints, once they were received the
building moved forward at a rapid pace. The
Dedication of the Addition was a happy occasion and
was held on June 28,m 1953. It is indeed interesting
to note that this small addition cost $11,300.00 more
to build in 1952 that it cost to build the church and
Parsonage in 1910. This addition has certainly been a
most useful one, and is commonly called the (GREEN
ROOM).
1957 found the Immanuel Congregation taking another
important step in beautifying their church. On July
3, 1957 at a Special Congregational meeting it was
voted to purchase Beautiful Stained glass Windows for
the sanctuary. These windows were installed in the
Autumn and Dedicated on Sunday December
8th, 1957 to date Windows have been
assigned in MEMORY OF: Mr. & Mrs. Henry Humke,
Mrs. Paul (Esther) Franzmeir, Salem’s Church,
Walter Ebert & Mrs. Ed Schwarze, Otto H.
Reineking, THE LADIES AID (now Women’s Guild).
The Church Name Window above entrance door, in memory
of Nels Myrin, Otto Decker, and Henry Mattausch. Two
windows remain that may be had for memorials.
In writing the History of Immanuel Church, the LADIES
AID SOCIETY, now the (Women’s Guild) must
receive much credit for their efforts and
contributions towards the total program of the
church. They gave $325.00 for the new Gas stove that
serves us so well in our modern kitchen today. They
also gave $500.00 to Immanuel building fund, and
maintained the cemeteries for many years.
Our church received from the John Woepse estate a
legacy of $5,000.00, showing his love for his church.
This gift was received in 1948. It was used to
purchase nice Wurlitzer Electric Organ and Chimes,
and also the beautiful background of our present
church Chancel.
(SOME STATISTICS of interest to all)
Verna Vollrath was the first Baby to be baptized in
the present church, who is now (Mrs. Ted Abel). It is
also note worthy that the last Baby to be baptized in
the present church was Larry Dean Fravert, son of Mr.
& Mrs Allan Fravert, who was baptized September
25, 1960, 50 years from the date of Dedication.
Altogether 416 children have received the sacrament
of Baptism.
The first Confirmation class to be confirmed in the
present church was: Oscar Decker, Ernest Vollrath,
Emil Noah, Emil Beyer, George Kern Jr., Cilla
Kippenhan, Ella Rindfleisch, Lena Reinhardt and Emma
Goeke. Confirmed April 14 1911. The last class to be
confirmed was: Nancy Franz, Ronald Franz, Sandra
Liebzeit, Ronald Meinhardt, Sharon Miller, Phyllis
Orsburn, Gerald Schofield, roger Schwarze, Lynn
Schwarze, Judy Toburen and Lois Wessel. Altogether
413 youths have taken their confirmation vows in our
present church.
The first wedding in the new church was Gustave Abel
and Maria Wehrmann. Witnesses; Willie Goeke and Lydia
Decker, on June 22, 1911. The last Wedding September
17th, 1960 Arlene Noah and Robert Stark.
Altogether as near as the records state 53 marriages
have been performed in the church. Is well to
remember that for many years it was not the custom to
be married in the church itself, but the Pastor
performed the ceremony elsewhere, oft at the home of
the Bride.
The first funeral service held in the new church was
that of August Steiger. The Last Funeral service in
the Fifty Years was Theodore Hium. Altogether
memorial Services have been held in the church for
143 members and children. Rev. Paul and Mrs
Franzmeier are the only minister or minister’s
wife buried in our Cemeteries in 86 years.
Pastor’s who have served the congregation since
1910, are: Rev. Otto Saewert 1910-1915; Rev.
Frederick Hall 1916-1921; Rev. G. J. Zenk for 3
months; Rev Otto Vriesen 1921-1929; Rev. Paul
Franzmeier 1929-1943; Rev. John Klingeberger
1944-1950; Rev Charles Koch 1951-1958; Rev. Orval
Egbert 1958 to present time.
* * * * * * * * * *
OUR THANKS TO THE HISTORICAL COMMITTEE FOR ABOVE
INFORMATION
Mrs. Clara Liebziet, Mr. Theodore Humke, Mrs. Olga
Reineking, Mr. Theodore Kippenhan, Mr. Albert
Fravert.
