"WE are the end-product of our history." FLASHBACKS Revealing glimpses of our creative past

Official newsletter of the UNITED METHODIST. HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN

Vol 31,No. 3 September,2005 CONVOCATION 2005 The UBC were predominately German in ethnicity and were mostly rural in The North central Jurisdiction of in character. Several characteristics describe Archives and History Convocation met in this new church. They were against slavery Milwaukee,Wisconsin from July 11-14, and against secret societies, But they 2005. There were about fifty-five people in approved of women clergy. The first attendance. woman, Lydia Sexton, was licensed to preach in 1851. In 1889, Ella Niswonger The opening service on Monday was ordained in Illinois. evening featured an address by Dr.James Stein, of Garrett Evangelical Seminary. Dr. IN 1889, there was a division on the Stein gave an overview of the history of the denomination. The essential cause of the United Brethren in Christ Church. He disruption was membership in secret began with the historical meeting of William societies, Those who left the denomination Otterbein and Martin Boehm in Longs Barn, were sometimes called the Radical Branch Pennsylvania in 1789. Boehm was or the Old Constitution. The departure was preaching, when Otterbein , who was in the led by Bishop Milton Wright. About one congregation, came up to Boehm, tenth of the congregations left the embraced him and said in German," We are denomination. In Wisconsin, five of the Brethren." The first conference was held in congregations joined the Radical branch. 1800 in Frederick, Maryland. In Wisconsin, the first organized class Otterbein came from the European of the UBC was in Rutland in Dane County, Calvinist background. Boehm was a in 1840. The first circuit rider was James Mennonite who rejected an official state Davis, who was named missionary to church, denied infant baptism, and was a Wisconsin in 1842. The first annual pacifist. conference was held in Rutland in 1858. Two events of religious importance WE TOOK THE BUS took place in this country when from the 1730s to the 40s there was the first Great On the next morning, Tuesday, July Awakening. The Second Great Awakening 12, the members of the convocation occurred in the 1800s. traveled west, to the area of Wisconsin around Madison. The first stopover was at The establishment of the United the Rutland church. The building still exists Brethren in Christ Church (UBC) occurred but is in bad repair The class that had been during this second period. The UBC were organized in 1840 was organized into a reluctant to consider themselves a congregation in 1851 Land for the building denomination. Even the word church was was purchased in March,1852. The not used until 1881. Membership was not building was dedicated in the fall of 1853. recorded until 1857. Bishops were not elected for life and were elected by the pastors of the church. 2 General Commission on Archives and History. VISITING MILWAUKEE On July 12, there was a presentation by the Rev. Anthony Farina, who gave the history of the work of the Evangelical Church in Wisconsin among the Italian immigrants. One of the early workers was a woman, Katharine Eyerick. She was born and raised in Ohio, Later she was the first woman to graduate from the Evangelical Theological School in Naperville, Illinois. She came to Milwaukee. Here she worked for three years. She traveled to Italy in an effort to The next stop was at Cambridge improve her Italian language abilities. There which holds the distinction of the oldest she met August Giuliani, a former priest. Scandinavian Methodist Church in the world. She convinced him to come to Milwaukee to The first pastor was C.P. Agrelius. He was work. followed by Christian P. Willerup. The church is named for Willerup. After leaving Others who spent time in the Cambridge, he traveled to Norway and establishment of the churches were Angelo established the Methodist Church there. Gerrmanotta and G, Busaca Two churches were organized in Milwaukee, one in Racine and one in Kenosha. Two visits were made Wednesday afternoon. The first was to Northcott Neighborhood House, a social service agency related to the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries. The organization was opened in April 1961. the organization is named for Bishop Clifford Northcott, bishop of the Wisconsin area in the 1960s.

Currently Northcott offers several day care operations, activities for youth, a The final stop was at the Pleasant food pantry, a clothing pantry and assistance Ridge Church which has been replicated by to the elderly. the State of Wisconsin Historical Society at Old World Wisconsin. The church was The second stop was at the Historical originally situated in Grant County in the Museum of the Wisconsin Conference. The southwest corner of the state. It was a museum is located in Greenfield, just south United Brethren Church established in a of Milwaukee. It is housed in the first building largely African American Community of the Evangelical Association in Wisconsin. Mr. Ed Knop, currently the president of the On Tuesday evening, there was a Wisconsin Conference Historical Society, recognition service for Charles Yrigoyen, made a presentation about the building and who will soon retire as the Secretary of the the growth of the Evangelical Church in 3 mission of CAH is evident in the life of the Wisconsin Conference. On Wednesday evening there was a The Wisconsin Conference is blessed with presentation by Theresa Little Eagle Oyles- the group that is the Commission. The Sayles who discussed the work among the addition of new space and a professional Native Americans in the Methodist church. Archivist is monumental, considering the effort and struggle it took to accomplish. The final presentation on Thursday morning was by Dr.Velma Smith, currently The work of accumulating the histories of the the pastor of Central United Methodist three founding institutions is continuing with Church in Milwaukee. She talked about the added fervor. The volunteers in this cause organization and dissolution of the Central are mostly unrewarded. I am aware of the Jurisdiction. In 1844, the Methodist personal sacrifice some have made to make Episcopal Church divided into two sure the CAH has fulfilled its mission in the divisions, over the issue of slavery. When Conference. they reunited in 1939, the compromise was a racially segregated denomination. Along The addition of the Historical Society to the the five geographical jurisdictions, an CAH will assure the continuation of the overlapping Central Jurisdiction was formed Society in a new and expanded role. It will for Black Methodists. It had its own Black eliminate duplication of efforts by persons bishops, newspapers, and judicatories that who are dedicated to the success of both, often paralleled those of the White and will give new energy and knowledge to jurisdiction. all involved. By the later 1960s, there came an As the future unfolds, it is evident to me that effort to abolish the Central Jurisdiction and Sandy Kintner as chairperson of the CAH is bring it back into the general church. an answer to prayer. His steady hand and Increasing numbers of Black Methodist excellent mind is just what is needed in this leaders urged the elimination of the Central time of change in both the Conference and Jurisdiction. It was dissolved in 1968 at the the CAH. His historical knowledge and his time of the uniting of the Methodist church care of the mission of CAH will be evident and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. to the Conference and he is the best in the eyes of the Commission. CAH will uphold The Convocation in 2006 will be held him as he gives his considerable abilities to in Dayton,Ohio.Copies of the papers the Conference in our names. Sandy is on presented at this meeting will be his way to become the next "person of reproduced in the proceedings of the influence" in the gathering and publication of Convocation. history for the UMC in Wisconsin. To the editor of Flashbacks Lois Olsen in "person of influence" and the historian parexcelence of the current It seems appropriate to me that I need to generation of church historians Her work thank the members of the Commission on gathering written history and the publication Archives and History for the support I of Flashbacks is monumental. I recommend received while Chairperson of the that the papers she has Commission. CAH made great strides and written/copied/published be offered for inroads the past few years. Everyone publication by the Conference. Lois is one involved did his/her share to ensure the of a kind and worth of considerable thanks forward progress of the charge given to the and praise. I know she hasn't published all Commission. The personal attention to the of the volumes, but her work is largely issues faced and the advancement of the unwelded and unknown in the Conference. She has my sincere gratitude for her gift and 4 will always be a shining example of loving to 1983. service to her church and to the kingdom of God. His interests included the American Cancer Society and for nine years was the Once again, I thank you for the privilege of Director of the State Society. His honors serving the CAH and the confidence you include the Evangelism Award fro the have shown as I gave my best. Wisconsin Annual Conference. He was involved in numerous organizations including Ann Towel, retiring chairperson of the the Association for the Aging and the Rotary Commission of Archives and History Club. He served on the Governor's Commission on Nursing Home Ucensure. COMMISSION In the Wisconsin Conference he was a NEWS member of the commission on Archives and History and the Board of Health and Welfare The Archives in Sun Prairie are finally Ministries. In his local church, he was not on the move. The first floor quarters have only a member and a chair of many been renovated and finished. Although committees, he also taught a seventh grade there has been some problems with confirmation class for many years. installing the shelving, some of that has been accomplished and work is continuing He wrote and published over 118 on the rest.. articles for professional journals and newspapers. He also published two Watch this space for further developments!! books. ELMER HARVEY His obituary in the Oshkosh Northwestern characterized him as follows: We pay tribute to Elmer Harvey,a long time member and supporter of the He was an amazing man who United Methodist History organization. The loved God, family and every Rev.Harvey was born in 1911 in Indiana. person he met. His motto for living He was a graduate of DePauw University was to make a difference in other's and the School of Theology of Boston lives. He was greatly loved and College. Following his studies in Boston, will be sorely missed. he received a Fellowship and studied in Edinburgh,Scotland. He was ordained as Elmer died on July 22nd, 2005. His elder in the Indiana Conference in 1938. He memorial service was held at the ALgoma transferred his membership to the Boulevard United Methodist, Oshkosh on Wisconsin Conference in 1960. July 26. The Rev. Harvey married Kathryn Pearson in 1938. They have two REJOICING FOR 175 YEARS daughters and four grandchildren. The Oneida United Methodist Church For twenty-two years, Elmer was celebrated 175 years of Methodist History pastor of churches in Indiana. A voice defect on Sunday, August 21st. A rousing service necessitated his leaving the ministry. He of worship and praise marked the obtained an MBA at Northwestern celebration of the origins of the first University in 1957. In 1960, he became Methodist Episcopal Congregation in the administrator of Bellin Hospital in Green Wisconsin. The service included exuberant Bay ,a position he held until 1967. He then Oneida drumming and singing of traditional was President and CEO of Evergreen songs as well as hymns in the traditional Retirement Center in Oshkosh from 1967 language. 5 An opening prayer of Thanksgiving Catholic but educated by was given in the Oneida language by Congregationalists, Williams accepted a Shahihokt, Leander Dan orth. Jerry Danforth, position offered by the Episcopal Church the Oneida Tribal Chairperson, brought as missionary to the Haudenosaunee. In greetings. A detailed history of the Oneida 1816. Williams arrived to begin his ministry people was given by Evelyn Elm. The and within a few years began laying plans Rev. Steve Poster preached the morning for an ecclesiastical "Grand Iroquois Empire" sermon. A final prayer and greeting was somewhere west of Lake Michigan.... In given by Harriet Alicea, a local pastor in the 1821, Williams accompanied a delegation congregation. of Oneida and other New York Indians to Green Bay.... The presence of the Oneida people In 1624, about one hundred Oneidas in Wisconsin dates to 1821 when the first and an equal number of Mohicans... arrived in exiles from New York State settled in Wisconsin and settled along the Fox River. 2 Wisconsin territory. They found a home on the banks of the Fox River north of Lake This was called the first Christian Winnebago. Party. Gradually other settlers came. In 1824, the Second Christian Party arrived. The Oneida in New York State were They were sometimes called the Orchard part of the Five Nation Confederacy. This Party. These people were primarily group had existed long before European Methodists.. Later arrivals were "pagans" or contact. From its formation until the late traditional people. eighteenth century the League was the most powerful political system in North America' The Oneida settled in what was called Smithfield. This is on a bluff in the The Oneida were principal village of Kimberly...Only a part of the site agriculturalists using "slash and burn" has been built upon. The remainder is an agricultural methods. The arrival of the open athletic field used by the employees Europeans not only brought military conflict of the Kimberly Clark Company, whose but also devastating disease such as small extensive paper mills lie to the left of the old pox and measles. Methodist settlement. 3 The Europeans alsO brought The Christians quickly gathered to Christianity. The French introduced the worship. One early traveler reported that a Catholic Church as early as 1667. The Sunday School had been organized among Episcopalians and Presbyterians established congregations. The Methodist Episcopal Church established work in 1829. the Oneida and regular services were held. During the American Revolution, the In 1824, about 200 people came Oneidas made valuable contributions to the from New York. The following year another American Army. At the end of the war, 150 families arrived and they settled an despite their loyalty, large tracts of land wee crested a permanent settlement on Duck taken from the Oneida. Creek' IN 1831, the Oneida on the east side (Methodist Episcopal) crossed over to Eleazer Williams was born into a the Duck Creek settlement. In 1833, the mixed-blood Mohawk family at Oneida moved to New Smithfield of Oneida Caughnawaga in about 1787. Baptized 2 Ibid. p106-7 'Patty Loew Indian Nations in Wisconsin 3 Elizabeth Wilson Methodism in Eastern Wisconsin Madison,Wisconsin Historical Society Press 2001 p Wisconsin Conference Historical Society. 1938 15 100 Loew 107 6 West, where the present church is located. 5 Big Orchard party signed two instruments consecrating land and building to the worship In June 1832, of God and on the next day they stood the New York before the altar, assenting as the documents Conference. were read to the congregation as part of the Methodist Episcopal dedication service conducted by Julius Field Church, appointed John Clark as Through the years twenty-nine missionary to missionaries have served the Oneida Green Bay. congregation. John Wenbergh served for ' Clark reached twenty-two years. Harriet Alicea, an Oneida Green Bay on and a local pastor, has also served as pastor July 21, 1832. of the congregation. In September, while visiting the In 1943, during a heavy Oneida settlement, thunderstorm, lightning hit the bell tower. he organized a The ensuing fire consumed the building but class, dedicated the sanctuary furniture was saved. The the log building, JOHN CLARK rebuilt sanctuary was dedicated in 1953, A administered the new parsonage was purchased in 1962. Lord's Supper, and baptized a child.° Subsequently, he visited and preached to We all rejoice that over 175 years, this group every other weekend. this early congregation is alive, prospering and a strong witness in the community A school had already been established at Smithfield. Electa Quinney JAMES WHITFORD was the first teacher. She opened a school BASHFORD in 1828. The Brothertons had built a church and school. She was a Stockbridge- In the previous edition of Flashbacks Munsee Indian herself. She was born and there was a detailed history of the Bashford raised in New York. She attended a primary United Methodist Church in Madison. The school in Clinton and then a female church was named for Bishop James seminary in Connecticut. W. Bashford. The name stimulated a search for the details of this remarkable man. Before coming to Wisconsin, she taught native American children in New York James Whitford Bashford was born for six years. In 1832, she took charge of May 29, 1849 in Fayette,Wisconsin. His thirty students in the Oneida School. In father was the second husband of May Ann 1833, she married Daniel Adams, a native McKee. There were four children of this preacher in the Mohawk language marriage. After his father's death, his mother married William Trousdale. Another The Oneida congregation continued Methodist church in Madison was named to prosper. John Clark made occasional after a child of this marriage: Samuel visits until his death in 1854. Whitney Trousdale. Oneida (West) ...really starts off the James Bashford attended the procession of churches erected distinctly for University of Wisconsin, Madison. After Methodist congregation in the forties. On graduation, he taught Greek at the university Saturday, January 4, 1840, the chiefs of the for one year. He then obtained a B.D. degree and a Ph.D. degree from the 5 Wilson 16 e Wilson 14 ' Wilson 53 7 School of theology of Boston University. He no sooner took up his work in He subsequently was pastor of five China than he set about making himself churches in Massachusetts, Maine and New familiar with the total life of the vast country. York. While serving a church in Buffalo , He became acquainted with the living habits New York, he was offered the presidency of of the people. He studied their institutions. eleven colleges. He chose to go to Ohio He knew their foods and flowers, their Wesleyan University where he served as customs and prejudices. His book "China - president from 1889-1904. During this time An Interpretation" is pronounced by well he published a number of papers. Two of informed Chinese and authorities of China these were related to the promotion of the as one of the most discriminating and reliable ordination of women in the Methodist works published' Episcopal Church. John Wesley was the subject of another paper. He was able to develop leadership In 187d, he married Jennie M.Field, both among the missionaries and the local of Madison. This was also the year he was Chinese leaders. His interest in the church ordained. as not limited to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He worked for the cooperation of various denominations. He saw the missionary interprise in the large. To him it meant stimulating reform, introducing modern learning, establishing hospitals, reforming the system of industry, setting up a political government on the foundation of intelligence and freedom,- in short energizing the whole life of the nation by the spirit of Christ. 9 During 1907, he organized the China centennial thankoffering which resulted in BISHOP JAMES W. BASHFORI raising over $600,000 toward missionary work in China. He assisted in getting relief In 1904, at the General Conference workers to that country during the famine in of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Los the latter part of that year. Angeles, he was elected bishqp. At his own request, he was assigned to China. He Secondly, he was devoted to the held this post until his death in 1919. cause of Christ. His aim was to carry out the threefold program of Jesus earthly ministry- Prior to this time, the bishop preaching, teaching and healing. He assigned and the general superintendent of traveled over thirty thousand miles every the church in China, only visited the country year. He preached to students in mission annually. The bishops had limited schools and government universities. At the knowledge and insufficient awareness of the same time, he was an interpreter to local situation. American about the national people of China. Thee aspects of Bashford's stay in China can be recognized. One of his areas of achievement was

First, his thorough knowledge of George Richmond Grose James W.Bashford China. He immersed himself in knowledge Methodist Book Concern New York 1922 117 of the country. 9 !bid 120 8 the China Medical Board. It was financed While still a pastor in Boston, he endorsed by the Rockefeller Foundation. The women suffrage. In 1900, he advocated the Foundation authorized the expenditure of admission of women to General seven million dollars for medical work in Conference. By 1920, he approved the China. Bashford encouraged the licensing of women to preach. However, establishment of standard colleges and the Board of Bishops declared the latter universities for training men as teachers and illegal. physicians in the medical college. In November 1920, the Peking Union Medical in 1918, in poor physical College was established. health, he retired in California and died in March, 1919. Finally, he exerted influence both on the government in China as well as the YORK CENTER American government. In 1912, he The history of Northern Wisconsin is centered with the immense tracts of land that personally urged President Taft to recognize were heavily wooded For many years, the the new Chinese Republic. He was a lumber industry dominated the area. friend of the early leadership of the new Republic including Sun Yat Sen and Yuan The story of the York Center church Shi Kai. begins with these early days of lumbering. Among the first families were Mr. and Mrs. In 1915, Japan issued the Twenty- William Rowe and Walter. Land was One Demands on China which threatened purchased for one dollar an acre, log aggression against China. Bashford buildings were built and the land was obtained a copy and wrote a long and prepared for farming. detailed letters against thte program. One letter was sent to Secretory of State, William York Center is in north central Jennings Bryant and the other to President Wisconsin in Clark County, west of Wilson. Marshfield and north of Black River Falls. That same spring, Bishop Bashford The history of the church looks back returned to the United States and to 1872 when the Rev. S.E.McLain was immediately went to Washington to present named pastor at a salary of $500. The first his views to Bryant and Wilson. The services were held in a school house government of Japan was forced to between Neillsville and the present York abandon their demands. Center Church. IN 1873, a new log schoolhouse was built, close to the site of He also traveled to India on a the present church. Adonijah Benedict and missionary tour. He represented his church his family came to York Center in that year. at the world's missionary conference in He was instrumental in organizing the Edinburgh in 1910. Sunday School and served as its leader. Bishop Bashford was a prolific In 1879,Greenwood/Loyal charge author. Several of his books discussed became Loyal/ Spencer/York Center both China and the role of mission. He Charge. This was served by the Rev. wrote six outstanding volumes and two J.P.Greer until September, 1881. He lived hundred articles published in periodicals. in Spencer and came on horseback to Loyal and York Center. The east wing of the He held views far beyond his time. church was built in 1880. Six acres of land were given to the community by the Fox 9 River Lumbering Company for the church were rno baseball games on Sunday, no and the cemetary. The church was built from picnics were held on Sunday, and no logs cut from this land. Many helped cut and Methodist would dance- everia haul logs to the mill, clear the land and hew out the blocks for the first foundation. IN 1980, the church celebrated its Home made benches and seats were 100th anniversary in a four day celebration placed around the edge and chairs were placed in the center. In 1994, plans were made for extensive renovation of the building. A The earliest mention of a name for the basement was installed under the present church is in the conference yearbook of building. A new furnace and water supply 1894. The District Superintendent says in were provided. The consecration service for his report "We have had two camp the new addition was held on April 2, 1995. meetings in the district, one in York Center." by November of 2001, the costs of the The camp meetings were held on the renovation had been met.The total cost was Southwest corner of twenty acres that a little over $53,000. In April 2002, there adjoined the church grounds. was a burning of the mortgage. In 2005, it was decided that the bell tower which had In 1897, there was remodeling and been on the building since 1897, had to be enlarging of the building. An annex and removed. The bell was removed, then the belfry were added to the west as well as siding round the tower was cut out. A new new windows, new pews and a new pulpit entrance and a room below the bell tower and bell. was constructed. About this same time, some On July 23 and 24, 2005, the church members wanted an organ. Arguments celebrated its 125th anniversary. On arose, as some of the congregation were Saturday evening, there was an old time absolutely against having music in the revival meeting under a tent. This was church. The church soon divided into two followed by a bonfire on the lawn. The groups. George Lindsley took their organ worship service the next morning was held from home and put it in the church. Those in the tent. A fair and a concert by the people not wanting the organ, left and Spencer band and choir were enjoyed after formed a new church, called the Free the service. Methodist Church. This church stood about one mile north of York Center church. Later KENOSHA FIRST a new Kimball organ was purchased and UNITED METHODIST used for more than fifty years. 1° In 2004, First United Methodist of W.l.James served as pastor from Kenosha celebrated a 75th anniversary. This 1923-1927 He had served as an assistant is in recognition of the present building which pastor in 1896. During that year he recalls was dedicated on December 29, 1929. that he was called the"boy preacher of the Seven buildings served the congregation conference" He couldn't vote until after his prior to this new building. first service at York Center. Some of the changes during his ministry were: The P.S.Bennett, in his History of Sunday dinner was prepared on Saturday Methodism in Wisconsin, gives a detailed so that there had to be no cooking on history of the first meetings held in Kenosha. Sunday. It was considered wrong to shave The original village was called Southport. on Sunday, or to blacken shoes. There Late in May, or early in June, 1835, '° An Overview of the Life of the York Center United Methodist Church 2005 p5 1 ' Ibid p 5 10 Jonathan Pierce came, with his family in the repenting sinners. 13 "first wagon that ever rolled thought the Indian village" nearby, and settled on the Membership increased in the present site of Kenosha, then called Pike congregation and the members were River He was a devoted Christian and occupied with class and prayer meetings. Methodist. He was the only white man in As early was 1843, the women began an that vicinity, but others soon came. So far as "Mite Society." appears, no congenial spirit came to the place until the second day of August On 1843, Southport became a following, when Austin Kellogg, with his wife separate charge. William H. Samson was and five children, landed from a schooner, the first pastor. and were scattered along the Pike River beach. It was Sabbath afternoon. As his On May 1837, the Troy annual religion was the kind that "bears conference set apart five of its members transportation", he began at once to look and gave them transfers to the Illinois around for a religious meeting. He soon Conference. One of the elders were found Mr Pierce, and they arranged for a Salmon Stebbins who had his home in prayer-meeting the next Sabbath. On that Southport day, August 9,1835, they held the first prayer-meeting in that place. They must He wrote an extensive diary of his have been agreeably surprised to find travels through the new Milwaukee District twenty-eight persons in attendance- nearly which had six mission circuits. Elizabeth every white settler= and more so to see that Wilson quotes extensively from the diary twenty-one took some part in the services. telling of the grueling travel.. He waded his They also then and there formed a horse through water high up to the side of Sabbath-School. They thus showed that his horse. Twice he was forced to unload they were there for a higher purpose than and carry luggage ahead and then terturn worldly speculation. 12 and help through with the horse. He traveled as far north as Green Bay and to In 1837, the Illinois conference the west as far as Portage. The first year he confined the Chicago District to Illinois and made three such trips, then spent one year organized a Milwaukee District of seven on the Racine and Southport District. He mission circuits in Wisconsin. Salmon spent a third year in Southport alone. He Stebben was named presiding elder. Otis drove for seven weeks and traveled 535 P. Curtiss was in charge of the renamed miles. Racine Mission which included Southport, the new name of Pike River, During 1837, a block or log building was erected on Main Street (6th Avenue) This early mission celebrated at one which was used for school and church of the first Methodist Camp meetings in the purposes and Methodist meetings were state. The meeting was held on the Root held there After the great revival of 1838, River, nigh the Rapids in the town of Racine. a building known as the "Water Cure" was The presiding elder, Salmon Stebben erected near what is now Seventh avenue noted that it was well attended and and 10th Street and the meeting assembled aboundantly blessed by the Lord. He said there until 1840. Numbers were awakened and converted during the meeting and many returned The village fathers' had offered a free weary and heavy laden to their homes... Angels and Saints rejoiced over the 13 Wilson p 31

12 P.S.Bennett History of Methodism in Wisconsin Cincinnati, Cranston and Stoew 1890 54 14 Wilson 52 11 lot to the religious organization first to erect a willed the property to the First Methodist building in t he town which had recently been Church. In 1923, the family transferred the incorporated with a population of 719". Upon property to the church for a dollar. this lot, which was located at the present angle between Sixth Avenue and Seventh The first meeting on the present site Avenue, a church costing about $5,000, was in July 1924. The new building was considered the best in Wisconsin at that time occupied in 1929. ,was erected by a stock company for the use of the Methodists.... During the pastorate The 75th anniversary celebration of of William H. Sampson,1843-44, the claims this building began in September,2004 and of the other stockholders were met, and the ended at the end of May 2005. Guest Methodists owned their own house of speakers during this time included Bishop worship. 15 Donald A.Ott and the Rev.Harvard Stephens, Carthage College Chaplain. On The General Conference of 1848, December 5, Heritage Sunday was passed the necessary enabling Act and observed. Included in the service was one defined the boundaries of the Wisconsin of the original litanies that had been used Conference. It was to include the territory of during the service when the church was Wisconsin with the addition of so much of dedicated Also this service, included an the Hazel Green and Monroe Circuits as lie Anthem commissioned for the service. The within the state of Illinois and that part of the Anthem, Advent Processional and Offertory

Minnesota . Territory not included in the were composed by Dr.Michael Burkhart, Michigan conference. The first session of Professor of Music at Carthage College. the Wisconsin Conference met in Southport on Wednesday July 12, 1848. Bishop Thomas Morris presided.. The church has an extensive music program with seven choirs. A two week The history of the church includes an summer camp for music and drama is interesting account of acquisition of the land sponsored by he church. United Methodist on which he present church now stands. Women have five circles and a book club. Zalmon Simmons came in 1843, with his There are several Covenant Groups that family to Southport. They came from Rome, meet weekly to share accountability in their New York to Buffalo by the Erie Canal. spiritual development Then they traveled by steamer through the Great Lakes to Southport. When Zalmon The church has food pantry, Every was twenty-one he went to work as clerk in Friday night, the church becomes a Seth Doan's store . After a few months he homeless shelter. The youth of the church bought the store. In 1871, He bought a are involved in yearly mission trips. The farm in Kenosha County and made cheese. congregation also supports a missionary He felt too much profit went into buying couple, the Janecke family, who are serving cheese boxes so he built his own cheese with Christian Veterinary Mission in Bolivia,. box factory. From there he was involved in many successful enterprises and finally built CHURCH OF THE BEAUTIFUL VIEW the Simmons Mattress and Bed Company. HUDSON He was extremely generous to the city and gave the city the Gilbert Simmons Library. The name today is Hudson but it originally it was Willow River, then Buena Zalmon lived on Prairie Avenue, now Vista (Beautiful View) and then Hudson. 60th Street. When he died in 1910, he The city is located in western Wisconsin on the banks of the scenic St.Croix River. 15 !bid p 53

12. 1847 Methodism began in Hudson with the which makes it even more important in our Rev. Lemuel Nobles preaching his first history. sermon. He was from New York, lived in Stillwater, Minnesota, across the St.Croix 1875 The Church had grown large enough River from the little town of Willow River. It so needed remodeling. "The work of was officially named Hudson in 1852. He rebuilding the Church has been a vast one, later moved to Hudson. There were many nearly, if not quite equal to the erection of an churches beginning in the years following. entirely new building. It has been raised, The Methodists and Baptists organized in lengthened, a new roof, but one, veneered 1852, the Presbyterians in 1855, with brick, newly painted and frescoed Episcopalians in 1856, Evangelical Lutheran inside, re-seated, cushioned and carpeted." in 1876 and the Roman Catholics in 1856. 1880s - 1900s The Church had many 1855 The Methodist Charter was issued repairs and replacements. People often and a church building was erected in 1856 brought loads of cordwood as their pledge on the corner of Third and Elm Streets with a to the Church. The "original kitchen and congregation of fifty members and t the dining room annex was built in 1904 and costs of $1710.00. The Wren Steeple when completed, the Church was $1500 in (Christopher Wren 1632-1723-English debt" A unique way of pauying for the Architect) was the tallest in town. indebtedness was established, A picture of the church was divided into blocks 1857 The steeple was blown down in a symbolizing the indebtedness of the Church terrible windstorm and crushed the roof and during the service Rev. Irish (District and nearly every pew was broken. 1856 superintendent) auctioned off these blocks had been a boom year in the economy to the congregation." followed by the Panic of 1857. That plus the storm damage and repairs needed, caused 1943-44 The annex was improved with the great concern. modernizing of the dining room and kitchen. Much of the labor was done by the men of 1859 A special meeting was called to the church - the"Push and Pull Club," consider selling the church to satisfy the debt which was hard to carry with exorbitant 1946 December, just before New Year's interest - two years and two months interest Eve. the Church had a fire. Judge Varnum on $3086 was $2053. The church was not was driving by and saw the flames coming sold and they reduced the debt to from the east wall of the Church. The fire $785.75. A story of giving can be found in department was called and prevented the first Leaders and Stewards Book which serious damage. tells of pledges to the church being met by goods instead of money - giving butter, Ladies Aid grew with the Church. In 1929, chickens, eggs, etc. the societies combined and was officially " Ladies Aid" and in 1940 become "Woman 1868 The old cast iron steeple bell was Society of Christian Service" of Hudson. It brokenand the cost of the new one was has "continued to be a source of strength to $700.00. $300.00 was contributed by a the Hudson Methodist church, giving financial single donor from New York. When the support to the Church - been a source of church moved to the hill location in 1962, the inspiration, education and recreation to the bell was not immediately installed until the women who have attended, with plenty of bell tower was erected inl 974 (Bell valued work -cleaning days, rummage sales, at $9000) and was made to ring suppers, etc. " electronically. No bells are now cast in the US and must go to Europe for purchase 1950 September 24, 1950 was the 75th 13 anniversary celebration - the date of the 1971 Consecration services were Sunday, charter- 1855. The first building erected in April 18 at 3PM with Bishop Ralph T.Alton 1856. and the Rev. Dean Irish, District Superintendent, in attendance. 1959 The Church membership was 258, Sunday school 151, total offerings $12,645 1973 A Memorial Committee was with the expectation of increa sed numbers. established. Memorials in 1973 paid for the The analysis of the structure by the lumber Johannes Electric Organ. The Grand Piano company indicated "unadvisable to spend was dedicated May 31, 1992 any great amount of money on this building for any reason." 1974 The big bell from 1868 was polished at the shop of Marine Associates (J Thomas 1962 The new Church was erected "up on Johnson, owner) and moved to the the hill" under the direction of Rev. Robert new bell tower. W.Sachtjen. The hall-like sanctuary with the choir loft in the back, kitchen, fellowship hall, 1978 During the time of the Averills equipment, and stained glass windows (Pastors Arland and Phyllis) music (from the old church) was built at a cost of flourished. The first in the area hand-bell $89,000. The Consecration Ceremony was choir began with the Weigand Hand Bell January 20, 1963. The Bishop of the choir (Three octaves of bells were given in Wisconsin Methodist Church, Ralph Tayor memory of Emil and Helen Weigand of Alton presided assisted by the Northern Racine, parents of Virginia Bertelsen- Wisconsin District Superintendent, the Rev. Mrs.Arnold) Wayne L. Grover and the Rev. Sachtjen. 1984 Methodist Musical Friendship Tour 1963 The old Church on Third and Elm was began with Paster Averill leading the first sold, torn down and made into apartments. tour to England with a total of fifty ringers and The old parsonage east of the Church, was singers. They sang at various Methodist sold in 1964 and remains a home to this churches and stayed in the homes of the day. people. 1986 England and Scotland tour - no pastor 1964 A new parsonage was built "up on 1990 Germany with Pastor William Helwig the hill" on 11th and Kinnickinnic Streets. The 1993 Norway with Pastor T.Thomas Nustad front of the parsonage was used as the 1996 Wales and England- no pastor Church office until the 1971 addition to the Church. 1980 Ground breaking for the Methodist underwritten Christian Community Home 1967 October: a new building committee (CCH) project in the valley below the was formed to design and promote a new church, under the inspiration of the educational structure. The new structure Rev. Arland Averill. Dedication June 1981. included on the main floor, a nursery, a coat Additional buildings were added to the room divided from the narthex by a divider, Senior Campus Center with the pastor and secretary offices, a work room, Wintergreen Apartments in 1986 and the two classrooms but left intact the kitchen and assisted living apartments of Pine Ridge in fellowship hall. A stairway led to the lower 1993. Further additions were made at level which had bathroom, one large room Wintergreen in 2002. Expansion of CCH that could be divided,( Pooh Corner, a Day creating private rooms and providing care unit, occupied this during the week), additional public space was completed in heating unit, boiler toom, water fountain, and 2004 with Open House, Sunday January a door to the new lower parking area. 16, 2005. 14_

1985 A CLEAN CALL RINGING The Church. Rev.William F.Helwig (1984-92) the pastor who said "I believe our call is the same 1996 The Mission to Russia began with today in Hudson sd it was in the most Dr. Bruce Weaver, retired pastor, and ancient of times, namely to be faith people director of the Russian Initiative. Pastor of God." The membership was 563. T.Thomas Nustad helped lead a group to Additional space included a new Church visit the fledgling Methodist Church of entrance, enlarged fellowship hall with Samara - 800SE of Moscow. 2001. classroom built under the extension, a choir Hudson UMC undertook another room, a new kitchen, sanctuary turned to developing congregation at Krasnodar, hove theater seating, a new general office Pastor Vladimir Konevetz, located near the wit the pastor's and secretary offices Caucasus Mountains in Russia. He has becoming a library(now conference room) visited Hudson and members of that church and chapel. Dedication 1986. will visit again in 2005. 1997 "The House"was purchased that was 1990 Bethlehem Revisited: December. on property adjacent to the Church for the The Bethlehem streets with its vendors youth activities. The Youth Director, Rich (Church members dressed in appropriate William, reactivated the group and attended costumes) was created in the Fellowship Convo in Madison, went on Mission trips to Hall. The Inn,complete with live animals, was North Carolina in 1997, to Michigan in 1999, created in the narthex. The manger scene To Reynosa, Mexico in 2001, Ruiz, Mexico with a live baby with Mary and Joseph was in 2002,Washing,Pennsylvania in 2003. situated in the pulpit area. The public was These trips included students and adults. invited to the four presentation evenings. The idea has continued with other churches 1997 Men's ministries have been active taking turns. with Bible study and ministry.They have sold chicken at a boot h during the annual 1.995 Lenten Trysts. This program began Hudson Fourth of July celebration. They will with the Presbyterian Church in 1977 to do it again in 2005 with proceeds going to observe the period between Ash the Church and Mission to Russia. They Wednesday and Easter. The program support a Boy Scout Troop.. They have expanded to include the other churches in adopted the Brancel Retreat Center at the community. The name tryst means to Whispering Pines in 2002 with plans for meet at a certain place at a certain time. In renovation to bring it in to shape for the 1995, the United Methodist Church became camping youth. the meeting place for the weekly Wednesday morning 9:30 worship and 1999 A group of nineteen people, led by social time. Each church took a turn in Pastor T.Thomas Nustad, did a tour to the presenting the service and serving the Holy Land and some went on to Sinai and coffee. Egypt. 1996 Contemporary services were added 2002, A Printed picture directory listed 501 to the worship schedule. The Faith household served by the United Methodist Expression Dancers were formed. They Church/. There has been picture directories danced a the three church services on in 1978. 1984, 1990, 1993, 2000, and Sunday. The Commitment Choir, 2004. composed of four males voices and the piano was formed. They sang at services, 2005 January lists the approximate and cut a CD in 2004. This is for sale at the membership at 694. A new program for Church with the proceeds going to the Church expansion called "Together We can 15 Build with Christ" id being presented to the congregation. There are three Sunday morning worship services. Activities within the congregation include Bible studies, bread and produce distribution, United Methodist Women's Circles, Girl and Boy Scouts. October 30, 2005 there will be the celebration of 150 years for the Hudson United Methodist Church. Material supplied by the History committee; Amy L Fetzer,Marg-Ellen Paulson, and Ellie Tuigren. NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION The United Methodist Church U.S. POSTAGE Wisconsin Annual Conference PAID Permit No. 28 P.O. Box 620 Sun Prairie, Wis. Sun Prairie, WI 53590-0620

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

FLASHBACKS Revealing glimpses of our creative past

United Methodist Historical Society of Wisconsin

FLASHBACKS OFFICERS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY President: Ed Knop Official newsletter of the United Methodist Vice-President: Wilmer Bloy Recording Secretary: Marge Lyford Historical Society of Wisconsin Membership Secretary Sandy (Doug) Kintner Lois C. Olsen, Editor 2737 Hwy T St. John's Tower Sun Prairie WI 53590 1840 N. Prospect Ave. Financial Secretary Sandy (Doug) Kintner Milwaukee, WI 53202 Treasurer: Mark Perschbacher Flashbacks Editor Lois Olsen Phone: 414/347-1745 Executive Committee Members-at-Large: Ann Towell & Bob Kuhn Material of historical interest, church Ex-Officio Members of the Executive Committee anniversaries, recollections, activities of Conference Archivist Lynn Lubkeman local historical committees and historians, Conference Historian Ethan Larson should be sent to her at the above address. Conference Research Mary Schroeder Please send membership applications and dues to the membership secretary at the address listed above.