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The Ecumenical Tour Series will take you on a Walking/Driving Tour that highlights the varied and beautiful historic churches in downtown Wausau. Go for a nice walk, or sit back and take a pleasant ride. Either way, we hope you enjoy your discovery of the history and inspired architecture of these magnificent churches.
Welcome to Immanuel Lutheran Church!
Over One Hundred Years of History
1883 - 1919
Immanuel Lutheran Church of Wausau, originally named the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Emanuels Church, officially incorporated in 1883. Its founding members were Norwegians attracted to Marathon County by the lumbering industry. The establishment of Immanuel Lutheran Congregation in Wausau was part of a missionary effort developed by the Lutheran Church in Norway. Concerned that Norwegian settlers would lose their religious beliefs as well as their cultural heritage, the Norwegian Mission Society sent their pastors to serve Norwegian communities in the United States. The charter members of the congregation were Mr. and Mrs. Tom Benson, Mr. and Mrs. August Larson, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Opdahl, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Weik, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Weik, and Mr. and Mrs. Simon Enge.
A permanent church, purchased from the English Methodists for two hundred dollars, was moved from Second and Grant Streets to the corner of Seventh and McClellan. Inside, the nave provided seating for about one hundred and fifty people. The pews were arranged in three sections, with aisles on the right and left of the center section. A divider just above the pew level ran down the middle of the center section. This segregated the sexes, with the mothers and daughters sitting on the left and fathers and sons on the right. Kerosene lamps lighted evening services and meetings, and heat came from two large stoves on either side of the rear of the nave. The first service in the new church was held on August 3, 1884. Services were conducted in Norwegian according to the Norwegian Church ritual of 1685 and the Service Book of 1688.
The first church building required constant repair and improvement. The church was small, and plans for expansion emerged early in the 1890's. A sacristy and church tower were completed in 1896, and a schoolhouse was attached to the rear of the building in the following year. In 1899 some congregants proposed providing running water in the church by connecting into the city water system. Reverend Hvistendahl offered to raise money for the project by giving a public lecture on conditions in Buenos Aires. The success of the lecture is unknown, but the water system was installed in 1900. A kitchen was attached to the schoolhouse in 1909. This made preparation of the lutefisk and meatball dinners much easier. These suppers were held three times a year and brought in large sums.
1919 - 1945
In 1919, Norwegian was still the primary tongue of many members, but it was rapidly falling into disuse. Church services were conducted in Norwegian on Sunday afternoons, but the confirmation and Sunday school classes were taught in English. The last regularly scheduled Norwegian service was conducted in 1929. Reference to Norwegian services are not found in historical documents after 1932.
In 1921, Immanuel bought from the Swedish Methodists a church building on First and Franklin streets. This building, purchased for $2350, would serve the congregation for the next 28 years.
In 1924 Immanuel was in need of a pastor, and in a rather unusual action, the congregation asked Bethany Lutheran in Easton to join with Immanuel. The Easton congregation, a member of the Lutheran Free Church, had a young pastor, Trygve DeLange, in whom Immanuel was interested. He apparently was also interested in Immanuel. When the Easton congregation decided to decline the offer, DeLange left the Free Church and became Immanuel's full-time resident pastor.
Women were given the right to vote on congregational matters in October 1924 and not long after that Immanuel abolished the custom of men preceding women when offerings were given at the altar.
Attendance in 1943, during World War II, increased as did the giving. The average attendance was 250, a number much too large for the sanctuary. The midweek Lenten services were especially crowded, with people standing in the stairway and the entrance landing. The total offering in 1945 was $7748, a 145 per cent increase in ten years. The goal at this point was to build a new church in 1946.
1945 - 1952
On October 10, 1946, a second-alarm fire rang out in Wausau. Shortly before 10:00 a.m. a strong wind broke a power line which fell across other electrical lines and started a fire in Immanuel. Fire trucks were called to the church, but the entire church was charged with electricity. Some firemen, including the fire chief, suffered electric shocks and burns when water shorted the circuits. The fire spread throughout the walls and ceiling of the frame structure.
On December 5, 1946 the church council recommended the purchase of property on the corner of Seventh and Adams streets and disposal of the church property that was currently held. The new church, on Seventh and Adams streets, was dedicated December 18, 1949
1952 - 1970
During this period, Immanuel experienced both growth and stability. The number of parishioners increased, additional property was purchased, its educational facilities were expanded, additional staff was added, and a new parsonage on Ninth and Augusta streets was built.
1970 - 1983
In 1978 the parsonage at Ninth and Augusta was sold, and the congregation decided to give a housing allowance to pastors instead.
In 1983, Immanuel completed its first century in our community.
1983 - 2008
In 1988 Immanuel became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). Prior to this time, Immanuel was part of the American Lutheran Church (ALC).
Since Immanuel's current structure was completed in 1949, there has seen a succession of new additions and improvements. In 1999 a much needed elevator was installed to aid the handicapped.
Although Immanuel's first service in 1883 was delivered in Norwegian, to an immigrant community, the church remains a solid contributor to the people of the Wausau community.
Permission to place this cache was granted by Holly Westaby, Property Committee Chairperson.