Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran
Church Scandinavia
Scandinavia, Waupaca County, Wisconsin

"Our 135 Years"

(The church picture is from 1919.)

 Scandinavia Congregation had its beginning in 1852, when the area was called "Indian Lands". Most of those early settlers came from Norway and early records indicate that the congregation was organized in 1853.

 On December 1, 1854, the congregation was incorporated as the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Waupaca. The name was changed to read Scandinavia instead of Waupaca when the area received mail service.                          

 The first confirmation service was held in 1854, with six young people confirming their baptismal vows. Pastor Duus was the first resident Pastor,  having been called from Norway to serve in that capacity.

 A small church was built in 1857, with the first service held on September 17th of that year. The congregation grew and they found it necessary to enlarge the building, so it was remodeled into a Cross shaped ediface in 1867, thus becoming the largest church in the Synod with a seating capacity of 1200. Many large meetings were held here over the next years because of its size.

 In 1888, because of Doctrinal differences, the Synod Church was built in the village of Scandinavia. In 1919, these differences were dropped and the churches reunited. The old Cross Church and the Synod Church were used on alternate Sunday's for awhile and some of the services were preached in Norwegian.

 The congregation then decided to put a basement under the church in the village and a lot across the street was donated by a parishioner and the excavating was begun. The church was moved onto the new basement structure and was nearly ready for use when it burned in January 1934. Work began immediately on a new church and that was dedicated on July 21, 1935. The parish house was added to allow for more Sunday School class rooms and a Pastor's study. This addition was dedicated on November 17, 1960.

 "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us" I Samuel 7:12

 *Condensed from a history compiled by the late Miss Lillie Leppen.
**Permission for transcription given by Scandinavia Lutheran Church, 105 Church, Scandinavia WI 54977. Phone: (715)467-2367- Email: slcchurchoffice@tds.net / Dated July 7, 2006....

 Thanks Be To God !!!
C.M. Wright-writecjc@aol.com

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Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Our Redeemer
Scandinavia, Waupaca County, Wisconsin

"Monument History" 

 The first Lutheran Church in Waupaca County, was built in 1856 directly across the road.  It  was enlarged in the form of a Cross in 1867, and demolished in 1928. Pastor Nils Brandt dedicated the cemetery, June 6, 1853. O.F. Duus, first resident Pastor, called from Norway, served from 1854-58. Before Scandinavia Township was incorporated in 1854, this area was known as "Waupaca Settlement" or "Indian Lands". The first Norwegian Pioneers arrived, August  20, 1850. 

C.M. Wright- writecjc@aol.com

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