Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-02-24
NEW AHNAPEE CHURCH.
Fine Edifice Erected by ST. PauPs
Lutheran Congrega-
ton.

Ahnapee. Wis, Feb. 19.-[Special. !
The new church edifce of the st. Paul's
Lutheran congregation, recently dedicat-
ed, is an ornament to the city and a
monument to the faith and enterprise of
a thriving community of Christian peo-
pie.
In connection with a description of the
new church, narrative of its dedica-
ton and short history of the church
society will be of interest
This part of the state remained unset
tied until 1850, when the first white men
took up their residence here. They were
of British origin, and only three or four
in number. The first building that was
built upon the site of the present city of
Ahnapee was a sawmill, which has but
recently fallen prey to the fury of the
elements. The settlement slowly in
creased in population, till in 1855 or
ganiZation was made and the village re-
ceiyed the name of Wolf River. Later
this name was changed to Ahnapee,
which is the Indian appellation of the
former name.
In 1857 the first Lutherans settled here
Their names were G. Zimmerman, A.
Gericke. A. D. Wichmann. G.. Schmel-
ing, Fred Busch and Fred Damas. They
were occasionally visited by travelling
clergymen notably the late Phillip
Sprenghirg and A. Stecher who preached
In the houses of the settlers, and also
therein administered the sacraments.
Meanwhile the number of Lutheran set
tiers increased, until in 1862 they or
gained a congregation of St. PauPs, and
extended 4 call to Rev. j. Brockmann,
now of Watertown, Wis. The call was
accepted. and, under the supervision of
this pastor the first small church was
built, he serving as architect as we'll as
building superintendent.
In 1867 after several years of vacancy,
Rev. Ungrodt, formerly an African mis-
sionary, was installed as pastor of St.
PauPs. After a year of successful work
he was succeeded by Rev. G. Tietze.
While he had charge of the church the
congregation proceeded to build their sec
ond edifce, having first disposed of their
old property. This was in 1869.
After Rev TietZe the following clergy
men served successfully as pastors of St.
Paufs: Rev. E. Jonas, Rev. Lieb and
Rev. Johannes. Under the latter, the
unity of the congregation was serious
~ disturbed, and dissolution of the So
cicty seemed imminent. However, the
scattered flock was once more gathered
by Rev. j. @. Oehlert, who took charge
OF the affairs of ST. Paufs in June, 1880.
During his pastorate the roomy brick
schoolhouse was erected by the congrega-
ton. After five years of Conscientious
work he was called away and Rev. G..
Doehler followed him. To his efforts it
is due that the congregation decided to
employ teacher for the parochial school.
In 1890 the present pastor, Rev. +. j.
Eppling, took charge of st. PauFs. I'm
der him the congregation rapidly in
creased in membership, and many i'm
proyements were made upon the church
property. 1t was also found necessary to
engage a second teacher to assist in the
school, As the church owned by the
congregation was too small to accOmmo-
date its regular attendants, measures
were taken in 1895 toward the erection
of q suitable place of worship. One of
the first steps in this direction was the
purchase of valuable lot which adjOined
the church property.
On the 22d of January, 1896. the con-
gregation decided, by unanimous vote,
TO proceed at once toward the construc-
ton of a new building. The members
Immediately commenced hauling stone
from a quarry eight miles distant, and
the 100 cords Of stone used in the con-
StructiOn of the church were soon ready
for use. All this labor was performed
free of charge; also the removal of the
old church and all the excaYating for
the new building.
The plans and specifications were pre-
pared by G.. c.. Buck of Boston. Mass.
and on the LIST of May, 1896, the con-
tract for the erection of the new buiIdina
was awarded to 2. Gablowsky & Co. of
this city. The cornerstone was laid on
June II, 1896, with imposing ceremo-
1000 people. The work progressed
without interruption, and the completed
.tructure was dedicated on the 18th of
December last. The day being unusual
ly fine, guests from the neighboring cities
began to arrive at an early hour
brief farewell service was first held at
the old church and from there a process
sion marched to the new edifce. After
the conclusion of the short ceremony at
the central door, all of the doors were
H.
numbering about 1900 people, soon filed
the church to it's utmost capacity.
The dedicatory services were conducted
ny the local pastor, assisted by Prof.
Ernst, Revs, A. Pieper, William Huth,
H. Stelter, NJ. Kionka and l. Bracke-
busch. Rev. Prof. Ernst preached the
forenoon sermon and in the afternoon the
sermons were delivered by Rev. A. Pie
per and Rev. G. Doehler. The evening
services were conducted in the English
language by Rev. William Huth of Hus-
tisford Dinner was served in the spa
cious basement assembly room by the Ia
dies Of the church, free of charge. 1t
is estimated that over 1900 people par
took of the dinner.
The now completed church is substan-
tally built of solid brick, with buff Bed
ford stone trimmings, and is 102X59 IN
its extreme measurements. 1t is IN
Gothic style of architecture. The steeple
rises to the height of 120 feet, and is in
two smaller towers on both rear corners
of the structure.
Tho auditorium has pitched floor. In
che front of the church is a beautiful
group of cathedral glass windows, the
central one being a reproduction of Hof-
mans Il Am the Door" Besides this
group. eleven larger and several small
lE1doWs ornament the building. Two
- furnaces heat the church. and it is
l. ed by electricity. In the basement
- is a spacious lecture room. The
cost Of the church was about $1,000
The altar pulpit, pews, etc; the hand
somc design and elegant finish OF winch
ance of the building, were made by the
Ahnapee Veneer and Seating company,
il this city.
In these times of universal financial
7oDression, such an undertaking was not
small one; however, it has been sue
cesefuHy carried out, and only very
small amount of the cost of the structure