Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1921-02-18
M. E. DEDICATION
AT EXELAND
Historical Sketch of Community
Where New House of WOr-
ship is Formally
Opened

Dedication with impressive cere
monies and program Of the new Meth
odist church at EXeland Sunday
marked the elimination of several
years of hard work by the faithful
workers whose efforts made possible
This fine place of worship
Rev. J. +. Kundert, Of Rice Lake
0fliciated at the dedication. following a
sermon by Rev f. d. KohStedt.
The story Of this church, linked
closely as it is with the history Of Exc
land is full Of interesting facts.
Historical Statement
Out among the great trees that at
his time were attracting the attention
Of the lumber kings was a little clearing
and d few buildings forming a lum-
berjack camp. known in 1907 as Swan
Creek and Lumber Camp Town.
Among the buildings were two shan
ties used as saloons One of these was
and this was the early beginning of
Exeland The real village life, how
ever. began in 1908 when the post
Office was transferred from Beaucham,
ana we are Informed that the name of
ENCland was given to the village be-
cause: first. the land of this section
was excellent - and second, because
in its survey. the railroad crossing at
This point formed an \.
The railroad was completed in 1909
and by this time. the whole surround
ing country was cut-Ovcr and covered
with brush and StumpS. The nearest
religious services at this time were to
be found in the Methodist work at
Windfall but in 1921 a local preacher
o. j. Little began holding preach
ing services in the village. Just be-
fore the Conference in 1912 Il Method
Isl society was successfully organized
by Or. j. w. Irish. The following were
the charter members: Mrs. August
Peterson. Mr. and Mrs. Chester STRAIT
ton. Mr.. and Mrs. Gordon Fowler, Mr..
and Mrs. George PluntZ Mr. and Mrs.
Walter Campbell
In Ladysmith Circuit
For time this new work was added
To and served from the Stone Lake cir
cult. hut a little later. under the pas
foratc of Bro. George w. Galhraith. it
became a part of the LadySmith circuit
which was composed of KEENAN,. Cox
school. Murry, klingcr, Nindfall and
Catawha. with regular preaching ser
vices every two weeks A Sunday
school was organized under the super
intcndcncy Of Mrs. Henry Persons. The
church spirit kept pace with the boom
ing spirit of the village until it was
thought necessary to build a church
and parsonage.
In 1914. under the guidance Of the
superintendent. Dr. j. f. Kundert. as
sisted by the ReyS. G. l.. Hooking and
.Iohn Birrell. subscription list was
started and Il building program was
launched 1t was thought wise to first
build the parsonage and the parSOn-
age was begun in 1919. In 1917 the
ground was broken for the church. and
Tho work went well until the adverse
conditions caused by the war was
really felt and the work was very much
hintlcrcd Still the faithful few kept
ron thc Job" and with thankful hearts
have completed their task. The reg
ularly appointed pastors are as fol
lows: O. j. Little in 1912. Clarence
Write c. mOnths). George w. Gal
hraith (} monthSl in 1913, w. II.
Titus in 1914. \. J. Dale in 1915 and
Elmo NJ Kelar in 1920.