You are looking for a small brown plastic jar that is hidden in a small cedar evergreen. 
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.
Be sure to notice not only the majesty of this historic building, but the First Presbyterian congregation's commitment to community service (i.e. the Food Pantry Garden and the long-term home they have provided for Wausau's Community Suppers).
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Church History
Source: History of Marathon County Wisconsin and Representative Citizens (1913) written by Louis Marchetti, pages 352-366 (Transcribed by Marla Zwakman)
The First Presbyterian congregation traces its beginning to June 3, 1858, when it was organized by Rev. Charles F. Halsey, a missionary member, with eight charter members; the first members being Richard H. Libbey, John Dobbie, Mrs. Elizabeth Gouldsbury, Mrs. Jane Hobart, Mrs. Clarissa Calkins, Mrs. Mary Poor, Mrs. Adeline Green, and Mrs. Sylvia Anne Halsey.
The membership slowly increased, but was not large enough to build a house of worship. The first meetings were held in a dwelling located at 211 Forest street, though the actual organization was begun over the workshop of Mr. Corey, across from the courthouse square, which was afterwards a shingle mill that burnt in 1866.
There seems to have been no regular service after Reverend Halsey left in 1863, until a reorganization was effected in 1868.
The general assembly reports for 1870-71-72 show eight members, and no report is given for 1873; and from 1870, 1872 and 1874 the church is shown as vacant.
Divine services commenced again in a schoolhouse, by Mr. Farewell, a licentiate from Lane Seminary, acting as pastor at request. Religious meetings were held at the courthouse, the Universalist church, and schoolhouse. Mr. Farewell remained about one year, until the end of 1875.
Early in 1876, Rev. J. W. Hageman was called as pastor, the congregation having been much strengthened in the previous years, especially by the accession of the families of J. M. Smith, M. A. Hurley, and the Armstrongs. A Sunday school was organized, and under his pastorage, the first church, now the garage of T. H. Jacob, was built and dedicated in the fall of 1881. In the following year, provisions were made for the purchase of a house and a lot for a parsonage. On July 15, 1882, on a call issued to Rev. William R. Stewart, he took charge of the congregation and served most acceptably until his death, June 14, 1885.
From February 9, 1886, to May 27, 1888, Rev. Thomas G. Smith, D. D., was the resident pastor, and was succeeded by Rev. W. O. Carrier, who was pastor until his resignation, in August, 1900. Under the pastorage of Reverend Carrier the congregation had largely grown in numbers; the present fine church, costing about thirty thousand dollars, was built and dedicated February 21, 1897; a number of chapels were established in the county, which gave evidence of the earnest work of the congregation under his charge.
He was succeeded by Rev. S. N. Wilson, D. D., who resigned in August, 1908, whose field of labor was enlarged by the founding of missions in Edgar, Stratford, and Fenwood. Pastor Rev. James M. Duer, took charge of the congregation April 1, 1909.
The church of the First Presbyterian congregation is one of the many fine edifices which certify to the Christian spirit of the people of Wausau, with a steadily growing congregation. It celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary in 1903. There are no debts, the last having been paid in 1901, and the congregation can and does assist smaller, struggling missions.
Source: Marathon County Historical Society online resource, "Historic Buildings of Downtown Wausau".
First Presbyterian Church
406 Grant Street • 1927 |
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 The first organizational meeting for this parish was held in 1858. For a time, the small congregation met in a variety of places around Wausau. However, in 1877 their first permanent church was erected at 206 McClellan Street. This structure was replaced in 1896 with a new church located on Grant Street. During the first two decades of the 20th century, the congregation grew rapidly and in 1927 the second church was replaced with this English Gothic style structure designed by Chicago architects Childs and Smith. It is faced with sandstone from a Stevens Point quarry, and trimmed with limestone. |
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Permission to place this cache was granted by Senior Pastor/Head of Staff: Rachel A. Wann.