History Timeline of West Koshkonong
1825 - Beginning emigration from Norway to America, first to New York area, then Fox Valley (Chicago area) moving east and northeast.
1839 - Immigrants moved into Koshkonong Prairie.
1839-1850 - 500 Norwegian families (2670 individuals) without Lutheran Pastor-served by itinerant preacher—are located on Koshkonong Prairie.
1842 - Request to Norway from Muskego for qualified teacher of religion
August 1843 - Claus Lauritzen Clausen arrives at Muskego.
October 13, 1843 - Claus L Clausen is ordained.
February 1844 - Claus L Clausen conducted services in most Norwegian settlements including Koshkonong, but made no attempts to organize congregations.
1839 - Immigrants moved into Koshkonong Prairie.
1839-1850 - 500 Norwegian families (2670 individuals) without Lutheran Pastor-served by itinerant preacher—are located on Koshkonong Prairie.
1842 - Request to Norway from Muskego for qualified teacher of religion
August 1843 - Claus Lauritzen Clausen arrives at Muskego.
October 13, 1843 - Claus L Clausen is ordained.
February 1844 - Claus L Clausen conducted services in most Norwegian settlements including Koshkonong, but made no attempts to organize congregations.
August 7, 1844 - Pastor Johannes Wilhelm Christian Dietrichson arrived in Muskego (sent by and paid by Peter Sorenson, merchant, concerned about religious services to Norwegian settlers in America).
August 12, 1844 -J. W. C. Dietrichson traveled to various settlements to assess needs and conditions.
August 30, 1844 - (Friday) First church service was conducted in Amund Anderson’s barn.
September 2, 1844 - (Monday) Worship with communion was conducted under the oak trees at the Knud Aslakson Juve farm (60 in attendance).
August 12, 1844 -J. W. C. Dietrichson traveled to various settlements to assess needs and conditions.
August 30, 1844 - (Friday) First church service was conducted in Amund Anderson’s barn.
September 2, 1844 - (Monday) Worship with communion was conducted under the oak trees at the Knud Aslakson Juve farm (60 in attendance).
October 9, 1844 - West Koshkonong Church was organized with 30 families
December 19, 1844 - Sixty days from organization, a completed log church building, first Norwegian-American church building in North American was dedicated (West Koshkonong Prairie Section).
January 3, 1845 - East Koshkonong Lutheran Church Building was dedicated.
February 2, 1845 - Terms on salary for Pastor were that for five years he would receive $300 per year, paid in equal amounts on the 1st of March, July, and October. He would receive the free will offerings from members for ministerial acts and the entire offerings given at Easter, Christmas and Pentecost. Koshkonong was a pioneer in these matters of financing the church to carry out its ministry in America.
March 3, 1845 - Dietrichson formally called to be permanent pastor.
March 13, 1845 - Muskego Lutheran Church building was dedicated.
April 1845 - Dietrichson initiated Sunday School (held Sunday afternoons in parishioner’s homes).
May 12, 1845 - Dietrichson goes back to Norway in search of a replacement-Claus Clausen served as interim pastor in Dietrichson’s absence in addition to serving Muskego parish.
September 23, 1845 - Dietrichson could not find a replacement, so returned with his bride. They lived in a cabin without furniture, and slept on a bed of straw. He brought with him from Norway, as a gift to West, the communion chalice that is on display in our museum room.
December 21, 1845 - Dietrichson moves into a 3 room “parsonage”.
1846 - The sexton was responsible for supplying the church with candles, bread and wine, in essence, treasurer, as he collected the fees or assessments. To cover his costs of supplies, he received 2 cents from each person who communed. Each confirmed girl was assessed 50 cents, family fathers and bachelors paid $1.00. The journals do not say anything about burial costs for members, nonmembers were charged 37 ½ cents per grave. Of that amount the sexton received 6 cents for overseeing opening and closing of graves. It is not clear if the actual digging was his responsibility or it was done by the family.
1848 - Membership at West was more than 1,600.
May 16, 1850 - Dietrichson returned to his homeland where he served congregations in Ryfylke (1851-1862) and Arendal (1862-1876), and then became a postmaster in Porsgrund.
December 19, 1844 - Sixty days from organization, a completed log church building, first Norwegian-American church building in North American was dedicated (West Koshkonong Prairie Section).
January 3, 1845 - East Koshkonong Lutheran Church Building was dedicated.
February 2, 1845 - Terms on salary for Pastor were that for five years he would receive $300 per year, paid in equal amounts on the 1st of March, July, and October. He would receive the free will offerings from members for ministerial acts and the entire offerings given at Easter, Christmas and Pentecost. Koshkonong was a pioneer in these matters of financing the church to carry out its ministry in America.
March 3, 1845 - Dietrichson formally called to be permanent pastor.
March 13, 1845 - Muskego Lutheran Church building was dedicated.
April 1845 - Dietrichson initiated Sunday School (held Sunday afternoons in parishioner’s homes).
May 12, 1845 - Dietrichson goes back to Norway in search of a replacement-Claus Clausen served as interim pastor in Dietrichson’s absence in addition to serving Muskego parish.
September 23, 1845 - Dietrichson could not find a replacement, so returned with his bride. They lived in a cabin without furniture, and slept on a bed of straw. He brought with him from Norway, as a gift to West, the communion chalice that is on display in our museum room.
December 21, 1845 - Dietrichson moves into a 3 room “parsonage”.
1846 - The sexton was responsible for supplying the church with candles, bread and wine, in essence, treasurer, as he collected the fees or assessments. To cover his costs of supplies, he received 2 cents from each person who communed. Each confirmed girl was assessed 50 cents, family fathers and bachelors paid $1.00. The journals do not say anything about burial costs for members, nonmembers were charged 37 ½ cents per grave. Of that amount the sexton received 6 cents for overseeing opening and closing of graves. It is not clear if the actual digging was his responsibility or it was done by the family.
1848 - Membership at West was more than 1,600.
May 16, 1850 - Dietrichson returned to his homeland where he served congregations in Ryfylke (1851-1862) and Arendal (1862-1876), and then became a postmaster in Porsgrund.
July 1850 - Adolph Carl Preus becomes West’s second pastor and was credited with organizing 20 congregations and held services frequently in surrounding churches.
August 15, 1852 - The last service was held in the log church.
August 14, 1853 - The first service was held in the new octagonal building which seated 800.
October 1853 - A. C. Preus, one of its organizers is elected and installed as the first president at the Constituting Convention of the new “Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: and continued as president until 1862.
August 15, 1852 - The last service was held in the log church.
August 14, 1853 - The first service was held in the new octagonal building which seated 800.
October 1853 - A. C. Preus, one of its organizers is elected and installed as the first president at the Constituting Convention of the new “Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: and continued as president until 1862.
July 1860 - Jacob Aall Otteson became pastor at West. He began a three-week rotation of services at East Koshkonong, West Koshkonong, and Liberty Prairie.
1866 - A new two story parsonage with a basement large enough to seat 100 people was built halfway between the East and West parishes at a cost of $3,400 (plus much volunteer labor). This parsonage served as a “hotel” for some eighty people attending the 1867 synod convention and served as the parsonage until 1961. (It is located on County B, just east of the Interstate overpass on the north side of the road.)
1875 - Combined membership of East, West, and Liberty was 4,395 with over half (2,680) of the members at West.
1876 - Luther Seminary opened in Madison. Students served as assistants at various parishes.
1860-1885 - During Otteson’s tenure a long, ongoing controversy over slavery and predestination brought about the division of West Koshkonong, with Otteson followers moving eighty rods north and establishing Western Koshkonong in 1885.
Nov 14, 1883 - Dietrichson died in Copenhagen, Denmark.
1866 - A new two story parsonage with a basement large enough to seat 100 people was built halfway between the East and West parishes at a cost of $3,400 (plus much volunteer labor). This parsonage served as a “hotel” for some eighty people attending the 1867 synod convention and served as the parsonage until 1961. (It is located on County B, just east of the Interstate overpass on the north side of the road.)
1875 - Combined membership of East, West, and Liberty was 4,395 with over half (2,680) of the members at West.
1876 - Luther Seminary opened in Madison. Students served as assistants at various parishes.
1860-1885 - During Otteson’s tenure a long, ongoing controversy over slavery and predestination brought about the division of West Koshkonong, with Otteson followers moving eighty rods north and establishing Western Koshkonong in 1885.
Nov 14, 1883 - Dietrichson died in Copenhagen, Denmark.
March 1885 - Gunsten Gunstenson Krostu, the first totally American trained pastor, was selected to hold services at East and West, not to interfere with Ottesen’s services.
August 22, 1885 - Gunsten Krostu preached the first sermon at Liberty.
August 29, 1885 - Gunsten Krostu preached the first sermon at West.
January 1886 - Gunsten Krostu preached his first sermon at East.
1887 - Ladies Aid was established.
September 1888 - West Koshkonong began the process of incorporation.
October 7 & 28, 1888 - Pastor Krostu read announcement of meeting of incorporation for November 1888, finalized March 5, 1889.
1890 - West Koshkonong joined the United Norwegian Church in America.
March 7, 1893 - At the annual meeting, the decision was made to build a new church to replace deteriorating octagonal building.
May 22, 1893 - The last service was held in the octagonal church.
August 5, 1893 - Pastor T. H. Dahl of First Lutheran Church, Stoughton, WI, came out to lay the cornerstone of the new church building. Cost of the new church-$11,800. Pastor Krostu gave the pulpit. Young people’s league gave chandeliers. Ladies Aid members worked to pay for altar, railing and painting plus $500 toward cost of windows. $3,000 was borrowed at 8% interest, but was paid off by February of 1899. The building was insured from the start at $5,500. The contractors were able to put up the structure in such a short time because there was no basement, no central heating, plumbing, or electrical work.
December 24, 1893 - The first service was held in the new church building.
September 2, 1894 - 50th Anniversary celebration, the new church building was dedicated.
1917 - West Koshkonong joined the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
1921 - Richard Rierson was awarded the contract to dig a basement under the church building at a cost of $3,000. The young people’s league provided nearly $1,200 of the cost to complete the project.
1927 - Pastor Gunsten G Krostu retired after 42 years at West
August 22, 1885 - Gunsten Krostu preached the first sermon at Liberty.
August 29, 1885 - Gunsten Krostu preached the first sermon at West.
January 1886 - Gunsten Krostu preached his first sermon at East.
1887 - Ladies Aid was established.
September 1888 - West Koshkonong began the process of incorporation.
October 7 & 28, 1888 - Pastor Krostu read announcement of meeting of incorporation for November 1888, finalized March 5, 1889.
1890 - West Koshkonong joined the United Norwegian Church in America.
March 7, 1893 - At the annual meeting, the decision was made to build a new church to replace deteriorating octagonal building.
May 22, 1893 - The last service was held in the octagonal church.
August 5, 1893 - Pastor T. H. Dahl of First Lutheran Church, Stoughton, WI, came out to lay the cornerstone of the new church building. Cost of the new church-$11,800. Pastor Krostu gave the pulpit. Young people’s league gave chandeliers. Ladies Aid members worked to pay for altar, railing and painting plus $500 toward cost of windows. $3,000 was borrowed at 8% interest, but was paid off by February of 1899. The building was insured from the start at $5,500. The contractors were able to put up the structure in such a short time because there was no basement, no central heating, plumbing, or electrical work.
December 24, 1893 - The first service was held in the new church building.
September 2, 1894 - 50th Anniversary celebration, the new church building was dedicated.
1917 - West Koshkonong joined the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
1921 - Richard Rierson was awarded the contract to dig a basement under the church building at a cost of $3,000. The young people’s league provided nearly $1,200 of the cost to complete the project.
1927 - Pastor Gunsten G Krostu retired after 42 years at West
July 8, 1928 - Pastor Henry Thompson began as pastor to serve East & West Koshkonong.
January 5, 1929 - Pastor Gunsten G. Krostu died and was buried in West’s cemetery after serving the congregation and community 42 years.
1929 - Services are conducted for the first time (Half is still in Norse including Christmas and Easter).
1929 - Delegate to synod convention is to vote to retain the word “Norwegian” in the synod’s name… (Repeated again in 1936).
July 21, 1929 - More than 2,500 persons attended the unveiling of the memorial monument to Pastor Krostu for his 42 years of service.
1930 - Delegate to synod is directed to vote against the pastor’s pension plan.
1930 - West Koshkonong Cemetery Association is formed.
1930 - East and West purchase Liberty’s share of the parsonage farm; $3,300.
1931 - Cemetery Association asks people to remove their buggy sheds from the area between the cemetery and the road.
1931 - Annual meeting authorized trustees to borrow money to meet general expenses if necessary during the year.
1933 - Because of the depression, Pastor Thompson offers to have salary reduced by 25%. Note: Parsonage farm income $446 and expenses were $426.
1934 - 90th Anniversary – a history book was printed with advertising to help cover the cost of the printing.
1935 - First mention in English records of plan to have church suppers to supplement congregation income….also to begin using “Penny-a-meal” Lenten offering containers.
1938 - A schedule was begun of two services conducted in English and one in Norse.
1938 - West approves selling parsonage far, but no action comes of it.
1939 - Thompson to get 3 weeks of vacation with pay annually.
1941 - Church’s annual report was printed for the first time. Pastor’s pension fund was established.
1942 - Fall fish dinner to be dropped and replaced by a special offering.
1943 - No Norse services during the 3 coldest months.
1945 - Sergeant Truman Olson, son of the congregation, received posthumously the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery at Anzio beachhead January 30, 1944.
1947 - Language issue to be left up to trustees and pastor.
1948 - Pastor Thompson is given six month leave of absence. Rev. L. L. Masted served in his place.
1949 - Congregation bails Cemetery Association out of minor financial difficulty, and goes on record as being willing to assume up to half of the costs of cemetery operation if necessary during the next years.
1952 - Women are given the right to vote in congregational meetings.
1955 - Historical marker erected on sight of first service with Dietrichson.
West Church Improvement Fund started.
Apr 23, 1958 - Meeting with District President Austinson---would West form a single congregation parish if East decides to go it alone: Vote was 41 Yes-19 No.
May 27, 1958 - A special meeting at which Thompson reads letter of resignation from both East and West, which is accepted. A call committee is appointed….Thompson is recalled.. with a vote of 72 to 48 to reverse action of Apr 23 meeting…..meeting “stacked”….
1958 - West Koshkonong votes to form a single congregation.
Pastor Thompson resigns from East and West, but is recalled to serve West alone.
Services were then held every Sunday for the first time.
Trustees are given permission to sell church/parsonage farm.
Addition of choir/museum room to church is completed.
Synod requests the congregation give the 1844 baptismal font and the 1833 chalice to the synod’s museum…request denied.
1958 - West mortgaged its property for $10,000 and loaned the money to Trinity Lutheran of Park Forest, Illinois, to help them build their church addition.
1959 - 1 ½ acres are purchased (across road from church) from George Klongland for a parsonage.
Parsonage building fund established.
6 man building committee appointed to investigate possibility of adding restrooms, sacristy, kitchen, etc. to church home.
1960 - West Koshkonong joins American Lutheran Church.
1961 - A proposal of doing away with dues and substituting a weekly envelope offering is defeated.
June 18, 1961 - New parsonage is completed and dedicated.
1962 - Envelope system for collection of contributions is initiated and publishing amounts of individual contributions is discontinued.
March 6, 1963 - Pastor Thompson retires.
January 5, 1929 - Pastor Gunsten G. Krostu died and was buried in West’s cemetery after serving the congregation and community 42 years.
1929 - Services are conducted for the first time (Half is still in Norse including Christmas and Easter).
1929 - Delegate to synod convention is to vote to retain the word “Norwegian” in the synod’s name… (Repeated again in 1936).
July 21, 1929 - More than 2,500 persons attended the unveiling of the memorial monument to Pastor Krostu for his 42 years of service.
1930 - Delegate to synod is directed to vote against the pastor’s pension plan.
1930 - West Koshkonong Cemetery Association is formed.
1930 - East and West purchase Liberty’s share of the parsonage farm; $3,300.
1931 - Cemetery Association asks people to remove their buggy sheds from the area between the cemetery and the road.
1931 - Annual meeting authorized trustees to borrow money to meet general expenses if necessary during the year.
1933 - Because of the depression, Pastor Thompson offers to have salary reduced by 25%. Note: Parsonage farm income $446 and expenses were $426.
1934 - 90th Anniversary – a history book was printed with advertising to help cover the cost of the printing.
1935 - First mention in English records of plan to have church suppers to supplement congregation income….also to begin using “Penny-a-meal” Lenten offering containers.
1938 - A schedule was begun of two services conducted in English and one in Norse.
1938 - West approves selling parsonage far, but no action comes of it.
1939 - Thompson to get 3 weeks of vacation with pay annually.
1941 - Church’s annual report was printed for the first time. Pastor’s pension fund was established.
1942 - Fall fish dinner to be dropped and replaced by a special offering.
1943 - No Norse services during the 3 coldest months.
1945 - Sergeant Truman Olson, son of the congregation, received posthumously the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery at Anzio beachhead January 30, 1944.
1947 - Language issue to be left up to trustees and pastor.
1948 - Pastor Thompson is given six month leave of absence. Rev. L. L. Masted served in his place.
1949 - Congregation bails Cemetery Association out of minor financial difficulty, and goes on record as being willing to assume up to half of the costs of cemetery operation if necessary during the next years.
1952 - Women are given the right to vote in congregational meetings.
1955 - Historical marker erected on sight of first service with Dietrichson.
West Church Improvement Fund started.
Apr 23, 1958 - Meeting with District President Austinson---would West form a single congregation parish if East decides to go it alone: Vote was 41 Yes-19 No.
May 27, 1958 - A special meeting at which Thompson reads letter of resignation from both East and West, which is accepted. A call committee is appointed….Thompson is recalled.. with a vote of 72 to 48 to reverse action of Apr 23 meeting…..meeting “stacked”….
1958 - West Koshkonong votes to form a single congregation.
Pastor Thompson resigns from East and West, but is recalled to serve West alone.
Services were then held every Sunday for the first time.
Trustees are given permission to sell church/parsonage farm.
Addition of choir/museum room to church is completed.
Synod requests the congregation give the 1844 baptismal font and the 1833 chalice to the synod’s museum…request denied.
1958 - West mortgaged its property for $10,000 and loaned the money to Trinity Lutheran of Park Forest, Illinois, to help them build their church addition.
1959 - 1 ½ acres are purchased (across road from church) from George Klongland for a parsonage.
Parsonage building fund established.
6 man building committee appointed to investigate possibility of adding restrooms, sacristy, kitchen, etc. to church home.
1960 - West Koshkonong joins American Lutheran Church.
1961 - A proposal of doing away with dues and substituting a weekly envelope offering is defeated.
June 18, 1961 - New parsonage is completed and dedicated.
1962 - Envelope system for collection of contributions is initiated and publishing amounts of individual contributions is discontinued.
March 6, 1963 - Pastor Thompson retires.
March 28, 1963 - Pastor Gary Dale Peterson is called to be West’s new pastor.
July 17, 1963 - Pastor Gary Peterson begins work at West. A memorial and various other committees were formed. New worship forms were introduced. Plans for addition to and remodeling of existing church building were initiated.
Organ fund was started.
1964 - We began using “Common Service” from Service Book & Hymnal
1965 - Organ fund was established. The Parish Study committee tries to determine what kind of building is needed?
1966 - Ames-Torkelson & Associates are authorized to draw up building plans.
November 13, 1966 - Building drawings are approved.
December 31, 1966 - Pastor Peterson resigned.
July 17, 1963 - Pastor Gary Peterson begins work at West. A memorial and various other committees were formed. New worship forms were introduced. Plans for addition to and remodeling of existing church building were initiated.
Organ fund was started.
1964 - We began using “Common Service” from Service Book & Hymnal
1965 - Organ fund was established. The Parish Study committee tries to determine what kind of building is needed?
1966 - Ames-Torkelson & Associates are authorized to draw up building plans.
November 13, 1966 - Building drawings are approved.
December 31, 1966 - Pastor Peterson resigned.
Feb 1, 1967 - Pastor Gerald E Anderson came to serve as pastor. He promptly introduced a monthly newsletter. Plans for the new addition and remodeling were finalized and put into action.
May 4, 1967 - Contracts were signed for major addition and renovation of church home with Breiby Brothers Contractors; E & W Heating, Arnold’s Electric, and Zeibell Plumbing.
1968 - Many members get together to do virtually all of the painting and tile laying in addition to installation of the suspended old basement ceiling. A. L. C. W selects and pays for carpeting.
May 26, 1968 - The new addition/remodeling project is completed and dedicated. This project saw a remodeled sanctuary, expanded Narthex, new Sunday School rooms, office and lounge. The total cost was about $145,000.
May 4, 1967 - Contracts were signed for major addition and renovation of church home with Breiby Brothers Contractors; E & W Heating, Arnold’s Electric, and Zeibell Plumbing.
1968 - Many members get together to do virtually all of the painting and tile laying in addition to installation of the suspended old basement ceiling. A. L. C. W selects and pays for carpeting.
May 26, 1968 - The new addition/remodeling project is completed and dedicated. This project saw a remodeled sanctuary, expanded Narthex, new Sunday School rooms, office and lounge. The total cost was about $145,000.
1969 - 125th Anniversary Celebration--the new Schantz organ is purchased, installed, and dedicated.
1969 - Midweek Lenten services were begun.
August 18, 1969 - Pastor Henry Thompson died.
October 20, 1974 - The gateway to the church, a memorial to Pastor Thompson, is dedicated in his honor.
August 1, 1976 - Pastor Gerald Anderson conducts his last service at West.
1969 - Midweek Lenten services were begun.
August 18, 1969 - Pastor Henry Thompson died.
October 20, 1974 - The gateway to the church, a memorial to Pastor Thompson, is dedicated in his honor.
August 1, 1976 - Pastor Gerald Anderson conducts his last service at West.
November 1, 1976 - Pastor Paul Anderson arrived as our new pastor.
November 1976 - Endowment Foundation was organized (Finalized in 1979).
December 2, 1979 - Pastor Paul Anderson resigned.
November 1976 - Endowment Foundation was organized (Finalized in 1979).
December 2, 1979 - Pastor Paul Anderson resigned.
December 1979 to September 1980 - Interim Pastor Warren Schultz, was brought in for nine months of service to West.
September 1980 - Pastor Walter Larson was called as pastor. His appreciation of art and Norwegian history and liturgy was his main focus.
1982 - Plans were initiated for having the sanctuary redecorated. Improvement fund started with the redecorating of sanctuary as its goal. New paraments and stoles were introduced. New section of the cemetery was landscaped and opened.
1984 - Pastor Larson receives and accepts a call to assume role of chaplain at Skaalen Home in Stoughton. Grounds keeping was taken on by a group of men on volunteer basis. This group continues today to keep the cemetery well groomed on a weekly basis.
September 1980 - Pastor Walter Larson was called as pastor. His appreciation of art and Norwegian history and liturgy was his main focus.
1982 - Plans were initiated for having the sanctuary redecorated. Improvement fund started with the redecorating of sanctuary as its goal. New paraments and stoles were introduced. New section of the cemetery was landscaped and opened.
1984 - Pastor Larson receives and accepts a call to assume role of chaplain at Skaalen Home in Stoughton. Grounds keeping was taken on by a group of men on volunteer basis. This group continues today to keep the cemetery well groomed on a weekly basis.
September 23, 1984 - Pastor Roger Black’s first Sunday at West.
October 1984 - Redecorating of Sanctuary begun. A new storage garage was built and completed in December, made possible in large part by the $10,000 donation from Oscar Midthun. This replaced a small dilapidated storage shed directly south of the church.
1985 - Search Bible Study was introduced. Many sessions conducted by Pam Black (Pastor Roger Black’s wife). Decorating was completed
1987 - Handicap accessibility to church accomplished and construction of ramp east of church. The canopy and enclosed entrance was also built at the south entrance.
August 17, 1987 - An overnight, smoldering fire resulted in entire church interior being covered with soot and smoke. Another period of cleanup and restoration.
1988 - West Koshkonong became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. A new constitution was adopted in accordance with guidelines of the new church.
1994 - 150th Anniversary celebration.
August 30, 1994 - Pastor Black resigned to complete work on his Ph. D at Marquette University.
Sept 1, 1994 - Pastor Bradley Enerson arrived to serve as interim pastor filling that position until April 1995.
October 1984 - Redecorating of Sanctuary begun. A new storage garage was built and completed in December, made possible in large part by the $10,000 donation from Oscar Midthun. This replaced a small dilapidated storage shed directly south of the church.
1985 - Search Bible Study was introduced. Many sessions conducted by Pam Black (Pastor Roger Black’s wife). Decorating was completed
1987 - Handicap accessibility to church accomplished and construction of ramp east of church. The canopy and enclosed entrance was also built at the south entrance.
August 17, 1987 - An overnight, smoldering fire resulted in entire church interior being covered with soot and smoke. Another period of cleanup and restoration.
1988 - West Koshkonong became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. A new constitution was adopted in accordance with guidelines of the new church.
1994 - 150th Anniversary celebration.
August 30, 1994 - Pastor Black resigned to complete work on his Ph. D at Marquette University.
Sept 1, 1994 - Pastor Bradley Enerson arrived to serve as interim pastor filling that position until April 1995.
May 1, 1995 - Pastor Martha Nack brought to West Koshkonong the first woman pastor. Weekly adult bible study was started. Position of Youth Director established.
December 2000 - Pastor Nack resigned to accept position of counselor at University Hospitals.
January 2, 2001 - Pastor Jeff Jacobs served as interim Pastor until Sept 2001.
September 2001 - Installation of lift/elevator for handicap accessibility is completed.
December 2000 - Pastor Nack resigned to accept position of counselor at University Hospitals.
January 2, 2001 - Pastor Jeff Jacobs served as interim Pastor until Sept 2001.
September 2001 - Installation of lift/elevator for handicap accessibility is completed.
January 2002 - Pastor Richard Dowling was welcomed to our congregation.
2007 - It was determined that the steeple is becoming deteriorated and in need of repair. Fundraisers are begun to finance the estimated $100,000 project.
May 2011 - West Koshkonong participated in the Syttende Mai parade with a float. The theme was an early 1900’s living room with ladies sewing and fitting Bunads (Norwegian traditional costumes). Marlene Olson lent an old wooden ironing board for the float that was actually used by West Koshkonong ladies years ago.
September 2013 - Krause Konstruction finished the repairs on the steeple. The project was financed by donations and many fundraisers (Fish Boil, Lena’s Kitchen, Salad Luncheon, Raffles, Pie Auction, and Youth Butterbraid sales were some of them)
October 13, 2013 - The dedication of the repaired steeple was celebrated with a special service and a potluck dinner.
February 2014 - The Sound System Upgrade was completed by Peak Systems Group Co. The cost of the upgrade of $4,000 was paid for by memorials given by the families of Edna Hanson, Dennis Swatek, Marv Anderson, Ella Foss and from funds provided by a 2013 garage sale held here at church.
December 2014 - Fundraiser at Percy and Ardis Gyland’s to raise funds for steeple repair
June 17, 2015 - Pastor Dowling celebrates the 36th anniversary of his ordination.
2007 - It was determined that the steeple is becoming deteriorated and in need of repair. Fundraisers are begun to finance the estimated $100,000 project.
May 2011 - West Koshkonong participated in the Syttende Mai parade with a float. The theme was an early 1900’s living room with ladies sewing and fitting Bunads (Norwegian traditional costumes). Marlene Olson lent an old wooden ironing board for the float that was actually used by West Koshkonong ladies years ago.
September 2013 - Krause Konstruction finished the repairs on the steeple. The project was financed by donations and many fundraisers (Fish Boil, Lena’s Kitchen, Salad Luncheon, Raffles, Pie Auction, and Youth Butterbraid sales were some of them)
October 13, 2013 - The dedication of the repaired steeple was celebrated with a special service and a potluck dinner.
February 2014 - The Sound System Upgrade was completed by Peak Systems Group Co. The cost of the upgrade of $4,000 was paid for by memorials given by the families of Edna Hanson, Dennis Swatek, Marv Anderson, Ella Foss and from funds provided by a 2013 garage sale held here at church.
December 2014 - Fundraiser at Percy and Ardis Gyland’s to raise funds for steeple repair
June 17, 2015 - Pastor Dowling celebrates the 36th anniversary of his ordination.