Church History

Inception - 1975: by Mrs. Clarence T. Christopher

One midsummer Sunday afternoon in 1925, a group of people gathered at the McAllister schoolhouse and agreed that the time had come to build their own church.

Two years before they had organized a congregation and had named it “The Community English Lutheran Church”. Th word “English” was included in the name because that would distinguish it from the Swedish Tabor Lutheran Church which had been organized about twenty five years earlier. The word “Lutheran” was there because it affiliated with the Lutheran Free Church. The word “Community” was there because it was a community project. It’s membership named people from Scandinavian countries such as the Olsons, the Johnsons, the Petersons, the Andersons, the Larsens, the Hansens, and the Ellisons. There were German names such as the Muellers, the Rademakers, the Haberstocks, the Neys, the Schultzs, the Knuths, and the Burkhalters. From English and Irish background were the Cases and the Hiatts. The Fronsees and Haulottes were Belgians.

Not only were there differences in nationality, but they had come from different faiths. There were Methodist, Baptists, Congregationalists, United Brethren, and from the various Lutheran synods; so they chose the name “Community” to include everyone.

We can thank two pastors from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Marinette for helping to smooth out the differences and creating a group that was ready to work together.

In earlier years, Rev. Nordberg and later Rev. Michaelsen had been asked to christen a child, perform a marriage ceremony, or conduct a funeral for an English speaking family from the McAllister area. Both of these pastors and Our Savior’s Church had become interested in the new church group here. Rev. Nordberg had organized and confirmed a group of McAllister young people in 1915. In 1921 Rev. Michaelsen had confirmed another group from McAllister. Rev. Michaelsen would preach at the morning service at Our Savior’s Church in Marinette and come to hold services at McAllister in the afternoon. These meetings were held in the larger homes and the Ladies Aid would serve coffee and cake. Often they met at the Tabor Lutheran Church. The Swedish Lutheran very generously offered the new congregation the use of their church when there were no Swedish services. To repay them the English group reshingled the church’s leaking roof and improved the interior.

Eventually friction developed between the Swedish and English speaking groups. One Sunday afternoon plans were made for Rev. Michaelsen to hold services at the Swedish church; but when the congregation arrived for the service, they found the door padlocked. The worshipers then met at the schoolhouse and decided the time had come to build a new church of their own.

A building committee was named. Rasmus Hansen offered to donate an acre of land for the building site. Oscar Hiatt, a good carpenter agreed to draw up plans and to supervise building operations. Carl Mueller, who had been a carpenter and stone mason in his native Germany, and had build many of the home and barn foundations in the area, promised to supervise the work on the foundation and basement walls. Al the others promised to help. Several members of the Swedish church were eager to help as well as some who had no church affiliation at all.

The next day the building site was chosen and men and teams of horses pulling slipscoops came to break ground and excavate for the basement. Other men with teams and stoneboats hauled in rocks from nearby rockpiles. There were no labor saving machines in use then such as we have today. Take a look at the stones in the basement walls and imagine how much back-breaking effort was necessary to get each of those stones in place. Much of the lumber was donated and much of the work was done by volunteers. People of Our Savior’s and other churches contributed cash to buy cement, nails, doors, and windows. The women of the church held chicken dinners, bake sales, and bazaars to help with the expenses. A lady from Marinette donated an organ.

These were pioneer people, busy clearing land and building homes and barns. Every day spent helping build the church meant less land for next years crops and the new room for the home would have to wait another year. Every dollar donated to the building fund meant a sacrifice of something needed for the home or farm. A church had always been a part of their lives and they felt a deep need for spiritual inspiration in their new homeland, so they made many sacrifices cheerfully so a church could be built. Mary Ethel Ney, a charter member of the church expressed the purpose of the congregation when she wrote these words:

When you see a church spire rise,

Pointing upward to the skies

Besides a country road.

You know that church is there

Because a group of people care

And because we need a church

To help us in our search

For guidance and for light,

On how to live right, and worthy in God’s sight.

And because we need to hear

Sermons preached in such a simple way,

So that we can understand

What the Bible has to say,

And because we need an altar

Where lighted candles shine,

So we can kneel together

For communion, bread and wine.

A place where babes are christened,

Where marriage vows are blest;

A Christian burial service

When loved ones are laid to rest

And when we need a truly happy place

Where Christian friends may gather,

To spend a time of fellowship

And come to know each other.

So many ways we need it

To help us in our search,

And that is why we decided

To build ourselves this church.

Mary Ethel Ney

 By late autumn of 1925 the building was enclosed so services could be held there, and at Christmas time there was a special Sunday school program and a treat for the children. Since there were no County snowplows to keep roads open during the winter, church services were discontinued until Easter of 1926 when Sunday school, Ladies Aid, and bi-weekly services began a new year, and a new confirmation class was organized.

On May 1, 1926 Maurice Anderson and Wena Rademaker were united in marriage with Pastor Michaelsen performing the ceremony. This was the first of many weddings to have been solemnized here.

By midsummer everything was ready for the dedication of the new church and the date was set for Sept. 5, 1926. It was a beautiful fall day and everyone in the community came for the occasion. Pastor Michaelsen preached a rousing sermon in the morning. At noon the Ladies Aid served a bountiful dinner to the crowd in the church basement with the diner seated on home-made benches beside home-made tables. Coffee was made on a huge wood burning stove.

During the afternoon the dedication service was held. One of the main features of the program was “placing the cornerstone”. As the church was being built, a temporary stone had been placed loosely in the southwest corner of the basement wall. Now it was removed and a box was placed deep within the wall. This box contained a list of the charter members, a Bible, a copy of the Marinette newspaper of the day before, and several members dropped in small coins. After the box was in place, the cornerstone was laid and cemented over. The date was scratched in cement before it solidified. You can see it today if you look at the southwest corner of the basement wall.

Rev. Michaelsen continued to serve as pastor until he retired in 1929. Before he left, he arranged for the McAllister church to become a part of the Central Lutheran parish in Menominee. Rev. John Berg became pastor of a group of three churches which were Central Lutheran, Porterfield Lutheran, and Community English Lutheran. Services were held here on Sunday afternoons every other Sunday.

Pastor Berg kept the church going during those depression years when the collection plate held only nickels, dimes, quarters, and very little paper money. He continued services although there was insufficient money for his small salary of $125.00 per year. In 1936 he retired from the ministry and became a farmer for a few years. He was followed in 1937 by Horace Nyhus who served until 1943. Other pastors who have served are: Peder Konsterlie 1943-46, Harold Bueide 1947-49, Lawrence Rasmussen 1949-54, Louis Olson 1955-65, Allen Wahl 1965-69, and Myron Haleen 1969-76.

During Louis Olson’s pastorship, the Community Lutheran Church joined with other Lutheran Free Churches in a merger with the American Lutheran Church.

Time has brought many changes to our church during its first fifty years. Most of the older people who helped to organize the congregation and were its charter members and supported it during its early years are gone on. If they could come back today and see the changes the years have brought, they would be pleased. In 1951 the annex was added to provide more room for the Sunday school and a dining room for the smorgasbord dinners that the church women serve each year. A modern kitchen on first floor level replaces the old wood stove in the basement. In 1965 an entrance with carpeted stairs, a cloakroom, and restrooms has replaced the old cement entry steps that were so slippery on winter days. The sacristy entry has been enclosed and the old cold basement has become a warm wood paneled fellowship room. Instead of the old cast iron heating stove (with the long expanse of stovepipe) that threw out a thin circle of heat on sub zero Sundays, there is a modern heating system that warms the whole building. Instead of those home-made benches without backs that were used at the dedication and the chairs that replace them, today there are comfortable pews. Memorial stained glass windows and soft lights throughout the church have replaced the old kerosene lamps and gasoline lights that had to be pumped up every few minutes.

Henry Rademaker Sr. was the first Sunday school superintendent following by Mrs. Walter Case, August Larsen, and Maurice Anderson. In 1940 Mrs. Henry Otto took over the responsibility and has served for 26 years missing only one Sunday. She is ably assisted by a corps of teachers who are giving our children instruction in the basics of Christian living. One of the happy events of the year is the Christmas program when the children sing and give an old fashioned Christmas program.

Mrs. Isadore Fronsee was the first president of the Ladies Aid. She and Mrs. August Olson who served in that office for twenty three years can be proud of the Ladies Aid’s activities. For many years the Ladies Aid carried much of the church’s financial burden. The Ladies Aid has also done much to promote fellowship in the church and the community.

The Luther League which Rev. John Berg and Mrs. Oscar Hiatt helped start has bene a blessing to the young people who have grown up in the church. For several years it was a family group with parents joining with the younger generation for a social evening and a half hour of Bible study.

More than fifty hears ago a choir was formed and it has served faithfully through the years by leading the congregation in hymn signing and by furnishing inspiring special music.

During its existence, thirty nine confirmation classes have been confirmed (which included about 300 members) in the Lutheran faith. Some of these have been the mainstays in our local church. Others who have left the area have found places of service in churches near their new homes wherever they reside.

IN the cemetery beside the church, the headstones bear the names of many of the men and women who had a part in making the church possible. We are grateful to those who bring lawnmowers and keep the grounds neat and trim. In recent years since the Tabor Lutheran church disbanded, the care of that cemetery has been taken over by Community Lutheran. The years have brought changes but the spirit of fellowship is still with us and the area is a better place to live thanks to the Community Lutheran Church.

So much for the past, what about the future? In another twenty five years, what will our 75th anniversary be like? And the centennial in 2026? It is the Sunday school pupils of today who will answer that question. In our changing world today we can only guess. Sometimes we see an abandoned church with windows broken, roof sagging, and the yard growing up in briars and weeds. On the other hand we see many well kept rural churches where they are enlarging the parking lots and increasing building space to take care of increased attendance. Pastor Haleen spoke these words recently: “As long as this church takes care of the spiritual and social needs of the people of this area, this church will continue to thrive. If it outgrows our present facilities, we will build on more room”.

We can count on our younger people. Their parents and grandparents sacrificed to make the church possible and keep it going. They too will sacrifice if need be to continue it as long as it serves God’s work here.

1976 - 2001 (75th Anniversary): by Karen DeGroot

Today, twenty-five years later, we recall the words of Pastor Haleen when he said, “As long as this church takes care of the spiritual and social needs of the people of this area, this church will continue to thrive. If it outgrows our present facilities, we will build on more room.” And build we did!! Community Lutheran Church is growing and we are striving to meet the needs of the community, which spans two states and includes up to five school districts.

Since those words were spoken many physical changes have taken place. During the late 1970’s new siding replaced the old, and a steeple was added to the church. The parking lot was extended and blacktopped. The 1980’s saw new carpet in the sanctuary and narthex. New roofing kept everyone dry on Sunday mornings. Land was purchased from the Hansen brothers, surveyed, and plotted for an expanded cemetery. A parsonage was leased rent free from Lily Wickman. The late Stanley Olson (brother of Doris Mays) gave the gift of an electric chair lift so the steep stairs were no longer a deterrent to attending Sunday morning worship. Tabor Cemetery was surveyed and plotted.

Not to be outdone by the previous decade, the 1990’s brought even greater changes to Community Lutheran Church. In 1990 a dedicated and hardworking group of volunteers expanded the church to what it is today. A full basement was dug under the addition of 1951, connected to the original basement, and extended under the new fellowship room. The fellowship room boasts a beautiful stone fireplace and oak paneling. New windows brought in fresh air and sunshine. A new organ was purchased. Volunteers build a handicap accessible ramp to the back door and added a new furnace. With new blacktop, a new roof, and air conditioning, Community Lutheran Church has a polished and welcoming appearance. And let’s not forget the beautiful outdoor brick signboard announcing our services.

The parsonage also saw many changes—new paint, and added office, a remodeled bathroom, new carpeting, new windows, and most recently a new garage. All have added to the comfort of the parsonage. In 1998, Lily Wickman (Lula Otto’s twin sister) died, bequeathing the parsonage to the church.

While the beauty and comfort of the church are important, it is the spiritual health and growth of the congregation and surrounding community that is of the utmost concern. Only two pastors have served at Community Lutheran since Pastor Haleen’s untimely death. On February 23, 1977 Pastor Wayne Menking began filling the pulpit. He held services for three years at Central Lutheran in Menominee and Community in McAllister. Then in January of 1980 Pastor Richard Hueter and his family became a vital part of the life and growth of Community Lutheran. A missionary in New Guinea for 19 years, he brought with him new insights and a deep faith.

The late 1970’s saw the introduction of the “new green hymnal” ---The Lutheran Book of Worship. It was a struggle but we did eventually master the new liturgy. The LBW is still in use today and along side of it in our pew racks is “the red hymnal”. Filled with many old favorites, the “red one” has been used almost every Sunday since it’s introduction in the early 1990’s. Most importantly a Bible now graces every pew rack, enticing people to follow along as the lessons are read each Sunday morning, and encouraging them to read their Bibles at home during the week. The choir continues to bring special anthems to the worship service. An occasionally we are blessed to hear special instrumental arrangements.

Christian education is a vital part of Community Lutheran’s ministry. Sunday School classes are held every Sunday from September through mid May for children three years old through senior in high school. We miss the leadership of Lula Otto (died in 1981) who served as superintendent for 43 years but have moved forward with the help of many willing teachers. Pastor Hueter holds an adult class in the followship room each Sunday also. VBS is an important summer activity for our children, often welcoming visitors from the surrounding community. And each Christmas, an old-fashioned Christmas program is presented by the Sunday school children.

Confirmation classes are held every Saturday morning throughout the school year with the rite of confirmation usually taking place in May. New member classes are held on a regular basis throughout the year as the need arises. Both groups are under the able tutelage of Pastor Hueter.

People of all ages will find open arms in any of the numerous study groups that have formed at Community. Adults can join in weekly Bible study groups. A Men’s Bible Study meets each Thursday evening. The CLCW (Community Lutheran Church Women) meets monthly for Bible study and a short business meeting. They have an active prayer chain, co-ordinate the Spring Banquet, help with Luther Home’s Mobile Meals and assist wherever they are needed. Luther League and Kids of the Kingdom serve youth from third grade through high school.

A church library provides Christian reading and many videos. The congregation subsidizes the purchase of Egermeier’s Bible Story Book making them available to each family for a nominal fee of $5.00.

Bible 2000 was a yearlong study of the Bible with many in the congregation reading through the entire Bible. Sunday morning sermons were based on the week’s reading. Several Lenten series have been held in which an item relating to the lesson is given to each member of the congregation as a reminder of the special season. Other activities such as the church picnic provide opportunities for fellowship and fun.

A big change took place in 1985 when Community Lutheran became a single congregation, no longer a 2-point parish with Central Lutheran of Menominee, MI. With a full time pastor, a second service was added at 10:45 AM. Less than 2 years later, in 1987, Community Lutheran members voted to become an independent congregation rather than become part of the newly formed ELCA. In 1989, members voted to join The American Association of Lutheran Churches (TAALC) and have been active in that group to the present time.

In August of 1992, we welcomed an intern, Paul Wigtil, to the congregation. He studied and worked with the congregation until May of 1993. An intern fund was established and it continues to grow. Hopefully it will soon help in the training of another future pastor.

As we celebrate our 75th anniversary and look forward to our 100th let’s heed the words of Pastor Hueter: “Our work is not finished. We were locked out of one church building because of differences among people; we locked ourselves out of another Church because of the noticed superficial value placed on Holy Scripture. Our work continues by the grace of God; to help all people know their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and through Himn find life in all its fullness. May the Holy Spirit help us, guide us, and teach us so that we do not lock others out of His Kingdom.” AMEN