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Guide to the First Congregational Church (La Crosse, Wis.) Records, 1874-2006
MSS 135
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Abstract
- The First Congregational Church of La Crosse, Wis. was founded Jan. 22, 1852, rebuilt three times to accomodate increasing membership, and is affiliated with the United Church of Christ as of 2012. Materials are arranged in alphabetical order and include committee meeting minutes, newsletters, reminiscences, and worship programs related to the Church.
- Collection Title
- First Congregational Church (La Crosse, Wisconsin) Records
- Date of Materials [bulk]
- Bulk, 1991-2006
- Date of Materials [inclusive]
- 1874-2006
- Creator
- First Congregational Church (La Crosse, Wis.).
- Call Number
- MSS 135
- Amount
- 1.6 cubic feet
- Physical Description
- 4 archives boxes
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- La Crosse Public Library Archives
- Location
- wlac
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], First Congregational Church, (La Crosse, Wis.) Records, MSS 135, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI
Biographical/Historical Note
A church now affiliated with the United Church of Christ was founded Jan. 22, 1852, and met at the residence of John C. Sherwin, the Congregationalists' first minister. The Congregationalists shared the Baptists' first church building at Court House Square in Aug. 1852.
The Congregationalists' first church was built and dedicated Nov. 1, 1855. Partial financial assistance for the $1756 building project came from the Home Society. A 25-foot addition was made to the front of the building to seat 300 people, though on the eve of the Civil War the congregation numbered about 100.
A second church was built in 1870 on two parcels of land at the corner of 7th and Main. This building with a basement for the Sabbath School was completed in Nov. 1870 at a cost of $30,000.The first church was sold to the Norwegian Lutheran Society for $2,500.
The second church was remodeled in 1885, 1900, and 1941, with discussion of building a second story over the 1931 addition by 1947. In March 1950 the building was condemned and services were held in the auditorium of Washburn Elementary School on Main and Eighth Streets.
On October 8, 1950 the Trustees, with congregation authorization, approved the purchase of a property on the northeast corner of Main Street and Losey Boulevard, plus an additional lot, for $22,600. On the next Palm Sunday, in 1951, a drive was launched to raise $150,000, about half the estimated cost to build the third church. Plans for the new building were designed by the firm of Boyum, Schubert and Sorensen. Church members voted for a contemporary design which would cost an estimated $313,000.
Ground was broken on Aug. 9, 1952 in the church's centennial year. The building was completed in 1955. The mortgage was burned on Oct. 27, 1968. The church parsonage at 2225 State Street was sold in 1972 and since then ministers have received housing allowances. Two properties south of the church were purchased to create a parking lot which was used for the first time in Fall 1974.
The church celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1977. First Congregational was the first church in the city to ordain a woman. In June 1977 Nancy Johnson, daughter of Arthur and Joyce Johnson, was ordained in the sanctuary. By 1983 the "new" church was 30 years old and needed a face lifting which cost approximately $75,000. The church planned a four-phase schedule of replacements and repairs for the 1990s.
The church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2002 and continues its work today.
Adapted from Patricia Muller's history "It Started with Twelve" in the book It Started With Twelve : First Congregational Church UCC La Crosse, Wisconsin 1852-2002.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of committee meeting minutes, newsletters, reminiscences, and worship programs related to the Church.
When processed, the council minutes, clerks reports, and financial statements were found together, though the council and clerk held separate offices as indicated by a diagram of the administrative structure of the church included in this collection. The council minutes, clerks reports, and financial statements were kept together in order to reflect the relationships between the offices and their functions (for instance in the pattern of council meetings held at the end of a month, in the same week financial statements and clerks reports were given).
Arrangement
The First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ (La Crosse, Wis.) Records are arranged alphabetically by topic.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
La Crosse Public Library Archives 2012 June
800 Main St.La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601
(608) 789-7136
archives@lacrosselibrary.org
Access to Materials
Materials in this collection are available for patron use.
Acquisitions Information
(Accession nos. 1993.0003, 1999.0015, 2001.0029, 2001.0030, 2001.0033) Donated by Bill and Anita Doering, 1993-2006.
Processing Information
Processed by Benjamin H. Lang, 2012 with assistance from Cate Putirskis, 2012. Finding aid written in 2012 by Benjamin H. Lang with assistance from Cate Putirskis, 2012.
Related Materials
Related Materials
- (285.877571 F519LA 1977)
- First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ : 125th anniversary, 1852-1977
- (285.877571 F519LB 1984)
- Bless the work of our hands : a history of the First Congregational Church of La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1852-1972
- (285.877571 F5193L 2002)
- The first century [videorecording] : a brief history of the First Congregational Church: 1852-1952
- (285.877571 F5193LI 2002)
- It started with twelve : First Congregational Church UCC, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 1852-2002
- (285.877571 F5193LM 1917)
- Manual of the First Congregational Church of La Crosse, Wisconsin
- (285.877571 F5193LS 1912)
- Sixtieth anniversary, First Congregational Church, La Crosse, Wisconsin : January 22nd, 1912
- (285.877554 F5193SE 1988)
- Early baptismals, First Congregational Church
- (929.377572 R245 1976)
- Record of marriages in which Rev. Henry Faville officiated while pastor at La Crosse, Wisconsin -- 27 December 1888 until 6 September 1913 : First Congregational Church / [Naomi N. Holmlund]
- (Annual Reports)
- First Congregational Church
- (Clippings)
- La Crosse-Churches-Congregational
- (Ephemera)
- Churches-Congregational-First Congregational
- (MICRO 18 (MSS 45))
- First Congregational Church records [microform], 1859-1936
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- First Congregational Church (La Crosse, Wis.).
- United Church of Christ (La Crosse, Wis.).
Geographic Name(s)
- La Crosse (Wis.)--Religion
Subject(s)
- Church architecture--Wisconsin--La Crosse
- Church history--Wisconsin--La Crosse
- Church records and registers--Wisconsin--La Crosse
Collection Inventory
| Box | Folder | |||
|
Board of Christian Education Minutes, 1991-1994 |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Board of Finance and Facilities Minutes, 1991-1994 |
1 | 2 | ||
|
Board of Membership Minutes, 1991-1994 |
1 | 3 | ||
|
Board of Missions Minutes, 1991-1994 |
1 | 4 | ||
|
Board of Service and Worship Music Committee Minutes, 1991-1994 |
1 | 5 | ||
|
Board of Stewardship Minutes, 1991-1994 |
1 | 6 | ||
|
Bylaws and Constitution, 1994 |
1 | 7 | ||
|
Bylaws and Constitution Proposal, 2003 |
1 | 8 | ||
|
Council Minutes, Clerks Reports, Financial Statements, 1991 |
1 | 9 | ||
|
Council Minutes, Clerks Reports, Financial Statements, 1992 |
1 | 10 | ||
|
Council Minutes, Clerks Reports, Financial Statements, 1993 |
1 | 11 | ||
|
Council Minutes, Clerks Reports, Financial Statements, 1994 |
1 | 12 | ||
|
Facilities Planning Committee Minutes, 1992-1994 |
1 | 13 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 1967 |
1 | 17 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 1990 |
1 | 22 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 1991 |
2 | 1 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 1992 |
2 | 2 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 1993 |
2 | 3 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 1994 |
2 | 4 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 1995 |
2 | 5 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 1996 |
2 | 6 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 1997 |
2 | 7 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 1998 |
2 | 8 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 1999 |
3 | 1 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 2000 |
3 | 2 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 2001 |
3 | 3 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 2003 |
3 | 4 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 2004 |
3 | 5 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 2005 |
3 | 6 | ||
|
The Greeting [Newsletter], 2006 |
3 | 7 | ||
|
History, 1874-1941 |
1 | 14 | ||
|
Long Range Strategic Planning Committee Minutes, 1991-1994 |
1 | 15 | ||
|
Memorial and Endowment Committee Minutes, 1991-1994 |
1 | 16 | ||
|
Miscellaneous Items, 1957-1968 |
1 | 17 | ||
|
Nominating Committee Meeting Minutes, 1993-1994 |
1 | 18 | ||
|
Personnel Committee Meeting Minutes, 1992-1993 |
1 | 19 | ||
|
Reminiscences, 2001 |
1 | 20 | ||
|
Scrapbook Pages & Clippings, 1952-1957 |
4 | 9 | ||
|
Sermons, 1963 |
4 | 10 | ||
|
Sermons, 1968 |
4 | 11 | ||
|
Summer Schedule, n.d. |
4 | 12 | ||
|
Womens Fellowship Meeting Minutes, |
1 | 21 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 1989 |
3 | 8 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 1990 |
3 | 9 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 1991 |
3 | 10 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 1992 |
3 | 11 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 1993 |
3 | 12 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 1994 |
3 | 13 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 1995 |
3 | 14 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 1996 |
3 | 15 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 1997 |
3 | 16 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 1998 |
4 | 1 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 1999 |
4 | 2 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 2000 |
4 | 3 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 2001 |
4 | 4 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 2002 |
4 | 5 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 2004 |
4 | 6 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 2005 |
4 | 7 | ||
|
Worship Programs, 2006 |
4 | 8 | ||