Church History

 "O Lord, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths we have not yet walked and through perils we cannot know.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand has led us and your love has supported us.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord."

 

History of Our Congregation

 

Peace Lutheran Church was first organized under the title of "Evangelical Lutheran Friedens Church" by 38 members on November 2, 1883.  The Norwegian Lutherans already had an established congregation in the neighborhood by then.  But, as was typical in those days, the German Lutherans and Norwegian Lutherans each wanted to be able to worship in their own language and follow their own customs. There must have been a cooperative spirit amongst the various groups of ethnic Lutherans however because the "Friedens" congregation rented the Norwegian Lutheran building on Sixth Street for a time until they could construct their own place for worship. By September 28, 1884, the congregation had built and dedicated its own building on Eighth Street and Twelfth  Avenue.

 

On February 8, 1938, the name of the congregation was officially changed to Peace Lutheran Church.  By then, the congregation had been served by three pastors:  John Weyrauch (1883-1899), H. Hoerig (1899-1917) and John M. Woerth (1917-1956).

 

During Pastor Woerth's tenure, the congregation constructed its present building at the corner of Seventh Street and Tenth Avenue, breaking ground on September 12, 1951, and laying the cornerstone on June 15, 1952.  The area was originally the site of the two story home of J. B. Kahan, one of Menomonie's pioneer residents. Construction of the Gothic structure of Lannon Stone included more than 14,000 hours of labor donated by then members of the congregation.  The quality of their workmanship can be appreciated in that now, more than 60 years later, there is nary a crack in the walls anywhere.

 

An addition to the north end of the building to accomodate an elevator was constructed in 1989. In 2010, we dedicated an addition to the west side of the building that expanded the gathering place and relocated adminstrative and staff offices near the "new entrance." We have found that the additional space offers a much more hospitable welcome to those who have never entered our building before; and a light, airy place for people to visit before and after worship services.

 

After Pastor Woerth's long service ended in 1956, our congregation has been served by the following rostered persons:

• Pastor Eugene J. Leschensky                          (1957-1961)
• Pastor Emil F. Eske                                           (1960-1970)
• Pastor Ernst F. Staehling                                   (1961-1973)
• Pastor Arthur M. Vorhes                                    (1973-1980)
• Pastor Robert A. Bipes                                     (1974-1986)
• Pastor Alan C. Kelsey                                       (1980-1985)
• Pastor Jon B. Becker                                        (1986-1996)
• Pastor Dale E. Freberg                                     (1987-2004)
• Pastor J. David Whelan                                    (1996-present)
• Diaconal Minster Heather Kistner                    (2006-present)     
  

Peace Lutheran has also been served by many, many good and faithful members - most of whom remain nameless. But among the highlights of past histories of the congregation we find these mentioned:

• Mr Louis Brown, one of the confirmands of the first class of 1884 was still living when we moved to our current building in 1953.
• 1st child baptized was John Trettin on December 16, 1883.
• First funeral service was held for John William Gebert in 1883
• Mr and Mrs. Max Hetze both played the hand pumped organ in the first church building around 1910.  Mrs. Hetze also taught piano and mandolin, giving many recitals.
• In 1950 it was reported that many members worked hard and faithfully at the Fair Stand.  "It was one way congregation members had of getting to know each other better."
• The Annual Chicken Dinner in the 1950's, featured the butchering of more than 200 chickens in one day for the dinner held two days later.  "The water had to be kept hot in a hog kettle for scalding.  Dinner and lunch followed for workers. Tired? Yes, but it was fun and togetherness."
• In June, 1958, the executive committee of the congregation distributed relief funds received from many fellow Lutherans for members of the congregation who were directly affected by the tornado that struck our community.
• Sunday radio ministry was inaugurated in 1960.  At the time Peace Lutheran was the only Lutheran Church in Dunn County engaged in this ministry.
• In 1973 the congregation approved the purchase of a new organ "to the tune of" $42,000.  It was dedicated during the December 15, 1974, worship service.  Helen Garvey gave a recital later that day.
• In July 1980, many members were engaged in clean up efforts around the community following a severe storm.
• In 1983, we held a joint Communion Service with Grace Episcopal Church celebrating an interim agreement between our respective denominations for sharing the sacrament.
• In 1984, we held a prayer service for the Russian people.
• In 1986, we honored Margaret Herrem for her 50 years of  playing the organ at Peace Lutheran.
• In 1993, our Puppet Ministry hosted a workshop for nationally known "Puppet Productions."
• In 1994, we held a retirement potluck  dinner honoring Helenmae Debee in thanks for her 38 years as Parish Secretary.
• in 1998, our paschal candle was dedicated  - a gift from Kathy Fullarton, Rudy and Judy Schleusner and Vicki Sinz in honor of their graduation from the Lay School of MInistry. 
• Also in 1998, we raised more than $7,000 to support a family in East Grand Forks, Minnesota whose home was severely damaged in the Spring flood.
• In 2001, we held a joint service with Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Christ Lutheran Church and First Congregational United Church of Christ in celebration of the full communion agreement between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the United Church of Christ (UCC).
• In 2006, Heather Kistner began her call at Peace Lutheran as a Diaconal Minister in
  order to carry out our determination to invite people not just to "come to church" but to "be church" in the community.  Thus began an intentional effort to help people understand that the God is at work wherever the people of God find themselves, and that each of us is called by God to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ by applying the gifts God has given us for the good of all.

Today we give thanks to God for the many ways we have been blessed to be able to preach, teach and live God's Word in and for the world. We participate in global ministries through donations of money and material goods to Lutheran World Relief, as well as financial support of missionaries and contribution to the budgets of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin and to the ELCA.

 

Locally, in addition to offering opportunities for regular worship, fellowship and learning,  we are aso involved in assisting many service agencies of the community including Stepping Stones, the Menomonie Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, Tuesday's Table, Dunn County Partnership for Youth, Dunn County Fish and Game, Lutheran Campus Ministry, and

Positive Alternatives.

 

History of the ELCA

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was formed over 20 years ago. This new church was formed from three separate and well-established North American church bodies:

• The American Lutheran Church
• The Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and
• The Lutheran Church in America.

Beginning January 1, 1988, these churches, with shared beliefs and missions, officially formed the ELCA. Two decades later, this energized church is composed of 4.8 million members and nearly 10,500 congregations across the U.S. and Caribbean. Today, the ELCA reflects the rich and diverse heritage of the people it serves.

 

But to understand our heritage fully, one must trace our roots back through the mid-17th century, when early Lutherans came to America from Europe, settling in the Virgin Islands and the area that is now known as New York. Even before that, Martin Luther sought reform for the church in the 16th century, laying the framework for our beliefs.

Read about Lutheran Roots in America on the ELCA website >>

 

Go to our own What is the ELCA page >>