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Guide to the St. Paul's Lutheran Church (La Crosse, WI) Records, 1870-1898
MSS 019, Micro 6
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Abstract
- Microfilmed records of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1870-1898, a church affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located on the North Side of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The records were filmed from several bound volumes kept by the minister and the microfilm reflects the inherent order of those books.
The earliest records are congregational minutes which span from 1870-1881. Sacramental records date from 1873-1898 and include baptisms (1873-1898), marriages (1881-1898), burials (1888-1898), confirmands (1882-1898), communion records (1877-1898), members of the congregation, members who have left the congregation, and holy events.
All records are written in the Norwegian language. - Collection Title
- St. Paul's Lutheran Church (La Crosse, WI) Records
- Date of Materials
- 1870-1898
- Creator
- St. Paul's Lutheran Church (La Crosse, Wis.).
- Call Number
- MSS 019, Micro 6
- Amount
- 0.1 cubic feet
- Physical Description
- 1 reel of 35 mm microfilm
- Language of Materials
- Norwegian
- Repository
- La Crosse Public Library Archives
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], St. Paul's Lutheran Church (La Crosse, WI) Records, MSS 019, La Crosse Public Library Archives, La Crosse, WI
Historical Note
On November 16, 1870, the St. Paul's Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was formed under guidance from Peder L. Asbjornsen, pastor of the Bostwick Valley congregation. The newly formed group counted 38 charter members and elected C. H. Walgeford as deacon; Simon Christoffersen and Gustaf Adolph Quarford as trustees. In April of the following year, a house of worship was purchased "somewhere on 8th Street" which was known as "Spiritual Hall." The building was later moved to a leased lot on North 11th Street between Pine and Badger Streets which was purchased in 1876. In 1882 a building was purchased from the Presbyterians near 6th and King Street for $3,500.
In October of 1871, the congregation called Pastor Asbjornsen to serve them. He ministered to the congregation until 1875 when Rev. Egil H. Midtbo was called to serve. By this time, the membership rolls counted 49 souls and Sunday School began. The congregation also became part of a parish with La Crosse, Bost-wick Valley, Houston (Minnesota) and Looney Valley (Minnesota). Several pastors came and went between 1880 and 1894 when Rev. Rasmus Andersen preached his own installation sermon. Pastor Andersen died in 1914 and many changes occurred during his tenure. A new facility was constructed on the southwest corner of West Avenue and Division Street and services were first held there Christmas Day in 1896. The parish formed in 1880 was dissolved and St. Paul's and Eden congregation in Galesville formed a parish. This relationship was dissolved in 1918 and St. Paul's became an independent congregation holding worship services every Sunday. Rev. Andersen's successor, Pastor O. C. Myhre, began using the English language in the weekly services. In 1920, under the leadership of Rev. H. T. Braa, the congregation voted to have one service a month in Norwegian and all other services to be conducted in English. By 1940 Rev. Mars A. Dale used English exclusively in worship services. In 1942, the constitution was revised and the name was officially changed to St. Paul's Lutheran Church of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Again, many pastors had come and gone during this time.
In 1953 Rev. Arthur M. Feroe became pastor of St. Paul's serving 31 years--the longest of any senior pastor for the congregation. A new Parish House and Chapel were completed in 1956 and ground-breaking services for a new church building were held in 1960. The dedication took place in December 1961. The old building was razed and a parking lot constructed on that site. "Damascus Illumination," a two-piece sculpture by artist Paul T. Granlund, was placed in front of the church in 1966. By 1970, the congregation numbered 1,400 baptized members. After Rev. Feroe retired, Rev. Arnold J. Athey was installed as pastor in early 1985 and continues to minister to the congregation at this time. His wife Joyce has developed a Christian lifestyle curriculum for students age three through high school.
Scope and Contents
The records were filmed from several bound volumes kept by the minister and the microfilm reflects the inherent order of those books. The records include congregational minutes, ministerial records and financial records.
The earliest records are congregational minutes which span from 1870-1881. Sacramental records date from 1873-1898 and include baptisms (1873-1898), marriages (1881-1898), burials (1888-1898), burials (1888-1898), confirmands (1882-1898), communion records (1877-1898), members of the congregation, members who have left the congregation, and holy events. All records are written in Norwegian.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
La Crosse Public Library Archives 1991 September
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
Positive microfilm purchased from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Archives, Chicago, Illinois, with the permission of Rev. Athey, August 1991.
These church records were filmed by the American Lutheran Church (ALC) in approximately 1982 and are also available through interlibrary loan from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Archives Division.
Processing Information
Register written September 1991 by Anita Taylor Doering; translation by Amanda Lambert with help from Helen Brieske, March 1999.
Related Materials
Related Materials
- (MSS 042)
- St. Paul's Lutheran Church Records, 1870-1920 (bulk 1878-1920)
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- St. Paul's Lutheran Church (La Crosse, Wis.).
Subject(s)
- Church records and registers--Wisconsin--La Crosse
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America--Wisconsin--Vernon County
- Lutheran Church--Wisconsin--La Crosse
- Norwegian Americans--Religion
OCLC Number
41575520
Collection Inventory
|
Congregational records, 1870-1881 |
||||
| Reel | Item | |||
|
Minutes, 1870-1881 |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Baptisms [Dobte] (beginning page 51), 1878-1880 |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Communion records [Nadravgjester] (beginning page 87), 1877-1880 |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Baptisms [Dobte] (beginning page 110), 1873-1877 |
1 | 1 | ||
|
Ministerial records, 1881-1898 |
||||
| Reel | Item | |||
|
1. Baptisms [Dobte], 1881-1898 |
1 | 2 | ||
|
2. Confirmations [Konfirmerede] (beginning page 33), 1882-1898 |
1 | 2 | ||
|
3. Marriages [Agteviede] (beginning page 51), 1881-1898 |
1 | 2 | ||
|
4. Burials [Jordfastede] (beginning page 63), 1888-1898 |
1 | 2 | ||
|
5. Communion records [Nadravgjester] (beginning page 71), 1881-1898 |
1 | 2 | ||
|
6. Members of Congregation [Fortengnelse over Menighedens Medlemmer] (beginning page 105) |
1 | 2 | ||
|
7. Members who left congregation [Afgaaede] (beginning page 135), 1892-1898 |
1 | 2 | ||
|
8. Holy events [Oversigt over de kirkelige Embedsforretninger Menighrdrn] |
1 | 2 | ||
| Reel | Item | |||
|
Financial records, 1871-1885 |
1 | 3 | ||