Bethany - 618 W River St, • New Lisbon, WI 53950
East Lemonweir - W8943 County Rd S, Elroy, WI 53929

(608) 562-3807

East Lemonweir History

  •  July 25, 1854: The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Lemonweir was established.  The first services were held in a parishioner’s home.  The next place of worship was a log church.  The logs which are still in existence, are stored near the present church building.
  • 1864: The parsonage farm was bought in 1864 for $750.  This parsonage was used steadily by all of our ministers and their families until 1953.  In 1969 the farm and house were sold, and the house was destroyed by fire in December 1973.
  • 1872: In the fall of 1872 the question came up concerning the building of a new church.  During this discussion some tried to get the new church located on land belonging to the parsonage.  Others living farthest West-those living “in the bluffs” wished for a church there.  After long and sober deliberation, the congregation divided, in the late fall of 1871 into the East Lemonweir and West Lemonweir congregations.
  • 1874: During the summer of 1874, two new churches were put in use.  The West Lemonweir church was struck by lightning and burned to the ground on August 3, 1924.
  • 1921: Electricity was installed in the church parsonage.
  • 1924: East Lemonweir added a basement to their church around 1924.
  • 1930: During the 1930’s a gradual change over from Norwegian to English services began.  The changeover was completed in1940 when the Church records were written in English for the first time.
  • 1940: Electricity was installed in East Lemonweir Lutheran Church.
  • 1953: January 1953, we became at two-point parish with Our Savior’s Lutheran in Elroy.  This union lasted until 1959.
  • 1954: East Lemonweir observed their 100th Anniversary on July 23-25, 1954.  A complete renovation of the church was done in preparation of this milestone.
  • 1959: From 1959 until February 1963 East Lemonweir was a single parish.  During this four-year period the ladies of the church began to vote.
  • 1963: East Lemonweir Lutheran Church became a joint parish with Bethany Lutheran Church in New Lisbon, WI.  Together they called Pastor Ernest Gilberts. 
  • 1964: The first woman was elected to the church council.
  • 1973: Running water and restrooms, and new cupboards were installed at church.
  • 1981: On April 12, 1981, the bell was stolen from the bell tower.  A replacement bell was installed in 1987.
  • 1984: We celebrated our 130th Anniversary.  We received a plaque commemorating us as a founding congregation of Luther College.
  • 1998: Discussion began on the addition of handicapped accessibility to our church.
  • 2000: Construction began on the addition which would house an elevator system, making the church handicapped accessible
  • 2004: Our 150th Anniversary was celebrated on Sunday, July 18, 2004.

Bethany – 618 W River St, New Lisbon, WI 53950

East Lemonweir – W8943 County Rd S, Elroy, WI 53929

Office: (608) 562-3807

bethanyeast@mwt.net

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