| About Us |
| History - First Congregational Church Boscobel, WI
Despite the turmoil on The American Frontier, the lush farmland and rolling hills of Wisconsin had made it a veritable promised land to a variety of settlers. Pioneers from the east, as well as immigrants from Germany, Ireland, England, Wales, Scandinavia and a dozen other countries looked to Wisconsin with hope. Each group held onto their own ways and customs, yet each added their own contributions to this �new world�. Science and industry were growing fast and cities were developing. But with the progress comes loss. In many areas the �Faith of the Fathers� is weakened by, distance from �home,� scattered populations and the scarcity of pastors and churches. The scientific age had challenged churches. The scientific age had challenged traditional Christian values and secularism threatened the church. The churches themselves, both north and south was being divided more and more by the issue of slavery that in a few years, would lead to a war to tear our nation apart. Yet, to the lonely settlers along the Wisconsin river, there was a faith that none of the negative forces of the day could conquer. Though some went for months, even years with no more contact with a church than their family Bible and maybe a hymnal or prayer book, brought from �home,� still they could not forget their heritage, No settlement would ever be complete without a school and a church. On August 2, 1857, 16 years prior to the chartering of the city of Boscobel, Moors and Clarissa Rice, John Tyler, Addison D. Allen, William Beale, Myra A. Rice, Luch M. Rice, Marcia Carley, and Betsy Kellogg met in the Depot to covenant together to charter the Congregational Church under the spiritual direction and leadership of the Rev. A. A. Overton, a pioneer minister. The covenant read as follows:- 1st Resolved: That the basis of this organization be the Confession of Faith by the Presbyterian and Congregational Convention of Wisconsin. 2nd Resolved: That the government of this church shall be Congregational and that it shall be known under the name of the �Boscobel Congregational Church.� 3rd Resolved: That we apply for __________ with the Presbyterian and Congregational convention of this State. 4th Resolved: That Brother Moses Rice be appointed delegate to said convention. First officers elected were Moors Rice, deacon and James Lucus, clerk. The first church building was erected in 1863 under the supervision of Moors Rice. On July 12, 1863 the first Service was held in the new church. Sermon by Rev. D. Clergy of Beloit. The original structure was 40� x 32�. Later 20� was added to the back of the church in 1896 Further remodeling took place in 1925, 1954 and 1969. Over the years a lift has been added and the church has full disability access. The church school was organized in 1857; Christian Endeavor, 1882; Senior Choir, 1874; Ladies Aid 1884; and the Guild in 1919. Fine stained glass windows are dedicated to Moors and Clarissa Rice, Leila Mary Ludden, Susan F. Sylvester, Sarah Della Armstrong, John H. Sarles, Charles McWilliams, Sabbath School, Ladies� Aid Society and Christian Endeavor Society. There have been 25 ministers serving the church in the period of 1857 to the present of whom the late Rev. Myrtle L. Baker had the longest tenure (1955-72). What sort of church are we? As a church we have a wide range of ages in our congregation. We have been described as a friendly church with a welcoming approach to whoever comes through our door. We have a very active social life that means we try to do something each month with the church family. These have included picnics parties visits and our own entertainment. We enjoy any excuse to eat and often have �pot luck� lunches and the like. However, besides being fun loving we also have a serious side and take a keep interest in mission and ministry. We support our local food pantry and other projects that support the poor and needy in our local community. We also give to many projects abroad and try to share our good fortune with those less fortunate. In fact we have an old town feel to what we do, looking after our neighbor, whoever that might be. Reverend Jennifer Johnson Jennifer Johnson is a young lady who began her ministry on December 1st, 2004 She grew up in rural Southern Wisconsin, attending school in Verona, with her parents, two brothers, and various small animals. After graduating, she moved to Madison where she learned a good deal about working in the restaurant industry. From there she moved to Takoma Park, Maryland and went to school. After receiving an A.A. in Secondary Education she came back home for a while. Not long after returning to Verona she recognized that God was calling her to something that she had not intended�the ministry. Supported by her family and home church (Salem UCC in Verona) she set out to finish her undergraduate work and begin seminary at the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, IA. In 2001 she received a B.A. in psychology, and an MDiv in May of 2004. Following is the pastoral list: A. A. Overton 1857-1864, B. King 1864-1867, Wm. Stoddard 1867-1879, E. C. Stickel 1880-1881, E. L. Morse 1881-1883, T. W. Cole 1883-1886, A. A. Young 1886-1889, E. W. Jenny 1890-1895, W. J. C. Bond 1895-1907, Thomas Kent 1907-1909, Philip Gregory 1909-1913, Thomas Barker 1913-1917, George McNary 1918-1922, Harlo Ferris 1922-1925, Walter Spence 1925-1934, S. B. Hopper 1935-1937, Geo. Masselink 1938-1939, Wm. R. Dixon 1940-1943, Theo. Svenson 1943-1944, W. J. Calow 1944-1951, Philip E. Rusten 1952-1954, Myrtle I. Baker 1955-1977, Wm. Breylinger 1977-1983, Eliz. Moore 1983-1984, Glenn A. Atchison 1984-1996, Ruth Krymkowski 1999 - 2003 Thomas E.C Bush 2004 Our congregation like all churches is both the creator and the creation of our community. The character of our community has depended upon the character of its people. The character of its people has, to a large part, depended on the character of its churches. In the trust sense, however, our congregation, called into being on that day so long ago, is the creation of God. God will sustain what God has created, It was called to do God�s will sustain what God has created. It was called to do God�s will and shall continue as long as it seeks to fulfill this mission. We look forward to the future with confidence, we are willing to walk �the extra mile� because we know that it is not our strength, but God�s that has brought us this far. And this same strength shall bear us triumphantly into the future. We do not know what the future may hold, of course, but we face it with joy and expectation, because whatever else may be waiting for us, we know that God will be there and that will be more than enough to insure our success in sustaining the flame. Statement of Faith The United Church of Christ is a community of faith that seeks to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed. The UCC was founded in 1957 as the union of several different Christian traditions: from the beginning of our history, we were a church that affirmed the ideal that Christians did not always have to agree to live together in communion. Our motto�"that they may all be one"�is Jesus' prayer for the unity of the church. The UCC is one of the most diverse Christian churches in the United States. We welcome all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. For more information on the UCC church and what it stands for go to www.ucc.org Current Church Projects: Organ Renovation The current church organ is one of the few pipe organs in South West Wisconsin. It was installed in the church in the 1930�s but was actually built in the 19 the century. This beautiful two manual organ is perfectly voiced for the church of our size. However, the old lady is in need of renovation. The bellows are getting old and some pipes no longer play. There is a total work requirement of $ 70,000 to be undertaken on this fine old instrument. Our intention is to renovate the instrument back to it�s original state. It is hoped that the organ will then be used to train new organists for future generations and that the tradition of piped organ music will continue. If you wish to make a donation to the organ fund please send your donation marked �Organ Fund� to the treasurer at our office address. |
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| 1st Congregational Church Boscobel 1202 Park Boscobel, Wisconsin 53805 Telephone 608-375-4708 Church Services Church Service 10:30am Communion Service 1st Sunday in each month Coffee morning 3rd Sunday in each month at 9:30am |
| Parsonage and Office
1200 Wisconsin Ave. Boscobel, Wisconsin Tel 608-375-5419 Office Hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm Transitional Minister: Rev. Jennifer Johnson Church Moderator: Mrs. B. Lindell Church Treasurer: Mr. J. Lindell Director of Music: Mrs. A. Richardson Assistant Organist: Mrs. C. Smith Church Custodian: Mrs. K Snodgrass All the above are contact able via the church office. |
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| Reverend: Jennifer Johnson |