Our History
An old sepia-tone photo of the original church building. A frame building was constructed by the Methodists in 1885 and purchased in 1887 by the Congregationalists. This building was located at the southeast corner of First and Division Streets across the road from the present church building. The approximate date of this photo is around 1887.
A postcard from 1939 welcomed visitors to “The Little Church on Your Way to Heaven”.
A postcard from around 1960 shows a view of the present church building without the educational wing to the east (right side of photo)…and covered with ivy!
In 2024 we became a certified Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ, further committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth.
First Congregational United Church of Christ - Historical Timeline
The Beginnings (1883-1886)
After the railroad came to Eagle River in 1883, families began arriving, and a real settlement was developing. These pioneer families recognized the need for educational and religious facilities. The first religious services took place as Sunday school classes led by a male congregation member in settlers’ homes, businesses, the school, town hall, or Opera House. Itinerant pastors and priests of various denominations traveled by foot, wagon, or train to bring "The Word" to small congregations.
As the congregations grew, they planned to construct their own houses of worship, becoming a community effort. The O’Connor family, of the Catholic faith, donated land for the first three churches in Eagle River. The Methodists built the first church in 1886 on the corner of First and Division Streets. Unable to maintain it, they sold it to the Congregationalists, marking the beginning of the local Congregational Church.
Formation and Early Growth (1887-1924)
Organization of the Church (1887)
On February 20, 1887, representatives of the American Missionary Society and Wisconsin Home Missionary Society met to discuss forming a church. On April 2, 1887, the Congregational Church Society was officially organized with nine charter members: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stewart, Mrs. Douglas Wark, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Walters, Mr. Jacob Klumb, Mrs. R. A. Richmond, Mr. Charles Thompson, and Mr. Seymore Ashley DeWitt.
The mission field covered twenty-three locations, including Sayner, Boulder Junction, Lake Oswego, and Baaken, with Sunday schools established in several other communities.
Eagle River became a bustling lumber town, and in about 1890, Rev. H. C. Todd arrived. He established weekly prayer meetings and a reading room for "boys, strangers, and men without work and in need of a place to stay," which operated for seven years.
Church Buildings
The first church building was originally built by the Methodists and was purchased by the Congregationalists for $200.00. This building served as the church until 1924 when a new structure was built across the street. The original church then became the parsonage until it was sold and moved in 1985, after which pastors received a housing allowance.
Development and Expansion (1924-2000)
By 1924, a larger church was needed, and the new facility’s cornerstone was laid in September. The name changed from the Congregational Church Society to the First Congregational Church of Eagle River.
In July 1965, groundbreaking took place for a new educational wing, with its cornerstone laid in October. Dedication of the R. W. Newell Educational Unit followed in May 1966. Just before 2000, the wing was enlarged to include new offices, a music room, a conference room, and additional basement spaces, including an elevator to improve accessibility.
Joining the United Church of Christ (1956-1964)
In 1956, discussions began about merging the Congregational churches with the Evangelical and Reformed Churches. After years of debate, the Eagle River congregation voted in 1961 to join the United Church of Christ. The church's name changed in 1964 to include "United Church of Christ," later finalized as First Congregational United Church of Christ.
Community Involvement and Organizations
Local Cooperation and Ecumenical Involvement
For a time, the congregation shared a pastor with the Community Church of St. Germain. The church also joined with local congregations for Good Friday services and participated in community efforts such as the Floating Chapel on the Chain of Lakes and a coffee house.
Organizations Within the Congregation
From its early years, the congregation fostered active participation. The Ladies Aid Society formed soon after the church began, later becoming the Earnest Workers in 1907 and the "31 Club" in 1931. These groups worked for over fifty years to support the church. In 1955, the Women’s Fellowship was founded and continues today. Other groups have included youth organizations, a Men’s Fellowship, a Men’s Breakfast Club, and a Couple’s Club.
Pastoral Leadership (1887-Present)
Pastors who have served First Congregational United Church of Christ of Eagle River:
1887-1892 Deacon Tibbets, L. A. Holp, A. S. Newcomb
1892-1900 H. C. Todd
1900-1902 C. W. Pinckney
1902-1906 Thomas J. Harris
1907-1910 C. W. Pinckney
1910-1912 R. E. Moss
1912-1914 William A. Griffiths
1915-1918 George H. Waters
1917-1924 William J. Davis
1924-1934 Theo C. Hargreaves
1934-1939 O. R. Thome
1939-1946 Frank C. Tomenendale
1947-1964 Raymond C. Newell
1963-1969 Harvey L. Kandler
1970-1984 John G. Morrison
1985-2000 Jeffrey G. Wartgow
2001-2006 Philip Garrison
2006-2011 Patricia M. Tucker
2012-2018 Mary Anne Biggs
2019-2020 Jane Cartwright
2021-Present Timothy W. Shirley
Over the past 120 years, the church has been served by dedicated pastors, members, and friends. Much has been accomplished, but the work is never done. The church continues to live by the example of its founders, pioneers, and leaders through devotion, vision, faith, and love.
Remembrances and Recollections
Summer Picnics
Mort Cook recalls that every summer, the First Congregational United Church of Christ Sunday School held a picnic, practically a holiday event attended by half the town. The Gerry Lumber Company provided transportation, and a large kettle of hot maple syrup was served alongside biscuits baked on-site.
Historical Insights from Ed Drager (1987 Centennial Celebration)
Ed Drager remembered that as a child, Eagle River had three churches: a Lutheran church, a Catholic church, and the First Congregational United Church of Christ. Rev. H. C. Todd, known as the "Lumberman’s Preacher," established the Reading Room as a shelter for lumbermen, where they could find books, magazines, job descriptions, and letters from logging camps. The Reading Room also served as a "Jail Room" where intoxicated lumbermen could sober up safely and keep their paychecks intact.
Todd also played a significant role in promoting the Northwoods by organizing exhibits at the Wisconsin State Fair and founding the "Advancement Association," an early Chamber of Commerce.
Despite Todd’s contributions, financial struggles led to his departure in 1900. In 1896, his salary was $780 per year, and financial issues led to a church meeting where a committee, including prominent community members, resolved the matter.
Through times of growth, challenge, and change, the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Eagle River has remained a pillar of faith and community, continuing the work started by its dedicated founders.