Deacon Smith was elected Superintendent, and Mr. A. D. Ladue, Secretary. The school numbered less than twenty-five, all told. But these were days of rapid growth, and the population would sometimes double in a few months. The number of Christian people increased rapidly, and the school soon doubled its membership. October 1 of this year, 1851, seven members of the Third Baptist Church of St. Louis, left their home to form a colony on this prairie. The Superintendent of this school secured a $40 library by paying half the price of it to the American Sunday School Union. This was soon increased by a donation from a Congregationalist Church, in Hartford, Conn., secured by Mr. Walter Brown, who was one of the earnest workers in the school.

During the winter that followed, the number of Christian people had so increased that the two churches were organized, as before stated. The Baptist Church at once began preparation for the building of a church. Work was begun in May, and in just ninety days the house was dedicated. During the months that had elapsed since the completion of the court house, the Sabbath school, and in fact all religious services, had been held in the court house. But now that a better and more convenient place was provided, the question arose whether they should hold the Union Sabbath School in the church, or should divide and have two schools. The question being put to a vote, it was decided to continue the Union School, but to hold it in the church. But during the week that followed, the matter was talked over by some who were not entirely satisfied with the arrangement, and on the following Sabbath, the Congregationalist and Methodist brethren went back to the court house.

From this time, August, 1852, dates the existence of the Baptist Sabbath School of La Crosse. It organized by electing Deacon W. W. Ustick, Superintendent, and had a membership of not far from forty in all, officers, teachers and scholars. Deacon Ustick served two years, and was succeeded by Corydon Boughton, who served one year. He was followed by Elisha Whittlesey, who served two years. Some of the early records of the school being lost, we have no means of giving the exact membership of the school during these years, but we know that, at the expiration of the first five years, the membership had increased to about 150. Mr. S. V. Aldrich was elected Superintendent in 1857, and was succeeded by Rev. I. L. Batchelder, in 1858, who resided here at the time, but was not Pastor of the church. He left the city in January, in 1859, and was followed by J. T. Van Valkenburg, who served six years. In 1866, M. F. Colton was elected Superintendent, and served also six years. In 1871, J. T. Van Valkenburg was again chosen, and served one year. In 1872, S. E. Olson was chosen, and served two years. In 1874, H. J. Peck was elected, and served three years. In 1877, Rev. L. A. Abbott was elected, and served one year. In 1878, J. T. Van Valkenburg was again chosen, and still serves in that position. The membership of the school during its existence of twenty-eight years, divided into periods of five years each, has been about as follows, beginning with about forty members: It had, at the close of the first period, in 1857, about 150 members. At the close of the second period, in 1862, about 175 members. At the close of the third period, in 1867, about 225 members. At the close of the fourth period, in 1872, about 225 members. At the close of the fifth period, in 1877, about 175 members, and, at the present writing, has about 175 in the school. Of the whole number of converts who have been received into the church during its existence, about 125 have been from the Sabbath school. The school has done some missionary work, and is still cultivating the missionary spirit. From 1860 to 1865, the school supported a native preacher among the Karens, in Burmah. When the church to which their missionary preached, became self-supporting, they turned their attention in other directions. They have since contributed to the support of schools among the Freedmen at the South, and a mission at Rome, right under the ears of the "Vatican," where the Pope can hear the songs of the children, and has not the power to suppress the school which is making its influence felt among his people. Who can estimate the good that has been accomplished through the instrumentality of this one school? Who can calculate the results of the influences for good exerted here? Eternity alone will reveal how many have received their first religious impressions, which in God's own time shall be the means of bringing them to

Christ, and they in turn be instrumental in bringing others, until scores and hundreds shall be made heirs of glory.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church.-In 1852, a class had gathered together, consisting of a few persons who had been previously connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church elsewhere, among them being Jacob Patterson and wife, E. A. Chambers and wife, David Powell and wife, and C. K. Lord and wife. In October, 1853, the First Methodist Church was organized in La Crosse, Rev. Enoch Tasker being sent here by the Conference and stationed here as preacher. At the first Quarterly Meeting of the Conference for La Crosse Station, held at La Crosse, October 24, 1853, were present, Alfred Bronson, Presiding Elder; Enoch Tasker, Pastor in charge; C. K. Lord, local preacher; George Gale, E. H. Chambers R. H. Elliott, Stewards; Jacob Patterson, Leader. R. H. Elliott was appointed Secretary. The station being a new charge and the above-named members having been such on the circuit before its division, were recognized under the new organization. December 25, 1852, previous to the organization of the church, notice was given that a meeting was to be held at the house of Jacob Paterson for the purpose of organizing a Sabbath school. It was resolved to commence the school January 1, 1853. According to the notice, they assembled on the two following Sabbaths, but there being only nine scholars in attendance, it was resolved to postpone the school till the 1st of April.

In the fall of 1853, a church was built at a cost of about $500 on Fourth street, near the corner of Cass and Fourth, capable of seating about one hundred and fifty persons. The lot on which this was built, was donated by Peter Cameron. The funds for building it were procured among the members, and by liberal contributions from persons not in connection with the society. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Alfred Bronson. Enoch Tasker remained as Pastor until July 1, 1854, and was followed by Rev. R. R. Wood. On June 11, 1855, the Sabbath school contained eleven officers, forty scholars, and the library contained one hundred volumes.

R. R. Wood was followed as Pastor by Rev. C. P. Hackney who came in 1855, and remained until 1857, being followed by Rev. C. E. Wierick, who remained but one year. He, in turn, was followed by Rev. T. C. Golden. At this time, in 1858, the membership had so increased that a larger church became necessary. Accordingly the old one was moved, and a new one built in the place of it. This church being the present one, is 40x60, with basement for Sabbath school and social meetings. The church is a frame one, capable of seating about three hundred and fifty persons. It was dedicated by Rev. T. M. Eddy, of Chicago, on the 26th of March, 1859. At the Fourth Quarterly Meeting of the Methodist Conference held March 27, 1859, C. W. Marshall offered the following resolution regarding the construction of the new church:

Resolved, That the action of Rev. T. C. Golden from the commencement to the completion of the church building enterprise, be and hereby is cordially and cheerfully approved and indorsed, and the thanks of this board be tendered to him for the faithful performance of the duty which was devolved upon him by the official board of this church.

During the years of 1858-59, additions were made to the church property, making its total value in 1860, $4,000.

The Pastor's report for the year ending March 2, 1867, gives one death and 50 receivals. March 21, 1868, the Sunday school was found to contain 123 scholars, and the church on the whole was improving; protracted meetings being held in La Crosse and at Mormon Coolie. In 1870, more additions having been made to the church, the total value of all the church was $8,000.

property

In this year the basement of the church was tendered to the Methodist Norwegian Mission to hold their services in, providing they were not held at a time conflicting with the regular meetings of the Methodist Episcopal Society. On November 29, 1880, the church was granted to the Norwegian Church, when not used by the Methodists.

At the last quarterly conference it was found there had been received six new members, and only one deceased.

The following is a list of the Pastors in charge, and the time of the stay of each since: Rev. T. C. Golden, T. C. Clendenning, from 1859 to 1860; H. T. Magill, from 1860 to 1862; William Howe, from 1862 to 1864; W. H. Brocksome, from 1864 to 1865; J. I. Anderson, from 1865 to 1866; W. S. Wright, from 1866 to 1867; Isaac Springer, from 1867 to 1870; M. B. Balch, from 1870 to 1873; — Phillips, from 1873 to 1874; -Haigh, from 1874 to 1875; E. E. Clough, from 1875 to 1878; P. S. Mather, from 1878 to 1879; William R. Irish, from 1879 to 1880, and the present Pastor, Rev. M. B. Balch, in 1881.

North La Crosse Methodist Episcopal Church.-The_Onalaska and North La Crosse Circuit was established about twenty-six years ago, in 1855. Rev. A. Cooley was sent here by the conference to take charge of the circuit. He was followed by W. Osborne, J. Holt, W. Taylor, J. Mead, and he in turn by George Benham. During his pastorate, the church was built in 1866. Mr. Benham was followed by E. E. Clough, R. Fancher, E. Yolcum. In 1869, this was made a separate station, and Rev. A. D. Atwater was sent here by the conference to take charge of the station. Mr. Atwater was followed by S. S. Benedict and J. D. Tull. Charles Irish followed Mr. Tull, remaining only one year, and was followed by E. Yolcum, who also remained one year. Charles Irish came again after Mr. Yolcum, remaining a year also at this time, and was followed by the present Pastor, A Hazeltine.

From 1865, only eight deaths are recorded in the church record. The membership of this church is very changeable, as a great number are taken into full membership into the church by letter, and are withdrawn by letter also.

The present valuation of the church is $2,500. It is capable of seating about three hundred persons. In connection with the church is a Sabbath school containing about one hundred scholars.

The first class organized in 1855 consisted of twelve members. The records of this church have never been kept completely, so it is impossible to obtain the history of it in as complete a form as it is entitled to.

German Methodist Episcopal Church.-The beginning of the German Methodist Episcopal Society of La Crosse dates to the fall of 1856, when Carl Leipprant, a German missionary of admirable fitness was sent by Bishop Janes to locate a mission here. He was under the supervision of that talented pioneer, Presiding Elder Rev. Henry J. Figenbaum, whose territory then extended from Galena to St. Paul. Mr. Leipprant's untiring zeal and faithfulness won converts, and was the means which led to the organization of the society the year following, under the ministerial care of Rev. P. Schaefer. At the conference in the fall of 1859, Rev. William Schreiner was appointed for the La Crosse Mission. Hitherto the German Methodist Episcopal Society had no specified place of worship; held their meetings in the houses of members. It was left to Mr. Schreiner's energy and force to erect a place of worship With a determination that knew no failure, he set to work, made the plans, collected the money and built the church, locating it on a leased lot on Jay street, between Fifth and Sixth streets.

Mr. Schreiner also built the church for the Mormon Cooley branch of this mission the following year, and, at the end of his two years' pastoral care, he reported to conference, "two churches built and paid for, and society strengthened in numbers."

Rev. John Brauer was his successor, under the Presiding Eldership of H. Roth. He was succeeded in the fall of 1864 by Herman Richter, who remained on the charge two years. During his term, the society lost heavily by removals. In the fall of 1866, John Salzer was appointed. He remained three years, and, under his administration, the present church site was purchased, and the old church removed to where the new edifice now stands.

Rev. E. Uhl, now Professor of History in the German-English College at Galena, succeeded him. Under his pastoral care the present parsonage was built. At the end of two years, in 1868, Rev. H. Roth succeeded him, remaining three years, and labored with much acceptability. Rev. F. Hermsmeyer was the next Pastor, and under him the church on the Chipmonk Coolie charge was built. William Hildebrant followed him, remaining but one year, owing to ill health, being succeeded by Rev. William Pagenhart, who labored here two years. In

the fall of 1878, the Conference appointed Rev. H. R. Fiegenbaum, who labored with much energy and built the present beautiful church. Owing to ill health, he felt unable to continue as Pastor, and was succeeded by the Rev. George Holger.

The membership of the church is in good condition as also are the finances, and the church property is all free from any incumbrances.

Christ's Episcopal Church.-On January 21, 1857, a meeting was held for the permanent organization of the church, which previous to this was merely a mission. At this meeting, held in the Baptist Church, Fayette Durlin, Charles S. Benton, John M. Levy, Charles J. Stratford, Albert Marsh, W. W. Crosby. Joel Marsh, A. A. Stevens, S. A. McKenzie and W. R. Sill were present. Fayette Durlin was elected Chairman and W. R. Sill Clerk of this meeting, and Charles S. Benton, W. W. Crosby, Joel Marsh, A. A. Stevens and James Campbell were elected Vestrymen. The constitution was also adopted at this meeting, and Fayette Durlin was engaged as the first Pastor, at a salary of $500 per year. The Vestry was organized by the election of C. J. Stratford as Senior Warden; W. R. Sill, Secretary; and John M. Levy, Treasurer. It was then

Resolved, That the Vestry lease the use of the old Baptist Church building in La Crosse, for the period of one year from the 10th of January, 1857, at the rent of $150 per annum.

At a meeting of the Vestry held on the 2d day of February, a committee was appointed to select lots on which to erect a new church building. In the spring of 1860, Rev. Fayette Durlin tendered his resignation, and, subsequently, a call was extended to the Rev. James Young, which he accepted, but at a meeting of the Vestry held in August, 1861, he was requested to resign in consequence of his ill health. His resignation, therefore, was tendered and accepted September 10, 1861. At the Vestry meeting in February, 1862, Rev. J. D. Barton acted as Chairman, and at another meeting April 28, it was resolved to call the Rev. Barton to the rectorship, which call he accepted. Messrs. Sill, Rumsey and Cameron were appointed as a committee to negotiate for lots on which to erect a church, and Sill and Rumsey were empowered to contract for the erection of the building. At a meeting of the Vestry on January 3, 1863, we find the Rev. C. P. Dorset in the chair. At this meeting Mr. Sill was authorized to negotiate for two lots on the corner of Main and Ninth streets, and also to negotiate for stone with which to lay the foundation for the new church edifice; and at another meeting, March 21, Messrs. W. R. Sill, H. T. Rumsey and W. W. Supplee were appointed a building committee, with full power to make contracts and to superintend the building and completion of the church edifice.

In 1864, the church building was completed and ready for occupancy. The Rector's salary from Easter, 1864, to Easter of 1865, was set at $1,000. The Rev. C. P. Dorset, on March 26, 1865, on account of failing health, tendered to the Vestry his resignation. This the Vestry unanimously refused to accept, but raised his salary to $1,200 a year, and granted him such leave of absence from the parish, from time to time, as he might deem beneficial to his health.

This proposition was accepted by Mr. Dorset, and he continued his rectorship. At a meeting of the Vestry, May 7, 1867, Rev. Dorset stated to them that he had accepted a call from the Cathedral at Chicago, and tendered his resignation of the rectorship of the parish, which was then accepted by the Vestry. In September of this year, it was resolved by the Wardens and Vestrymen, that a call be extended to the Rev. Mr. Rafter to become the Rector of the parish, at a salary of $1,200, but at a subsequent meeting of the Vestry it was resolved that his salary be $1,500. Therefore the Rev. W. W. Rafter took charge of the parish, Sunday, September 29, 1867, and after remaining in the rectorship until May 23, 1868, he tendered his resignation to the Vestry, which was accepted. Subsequently, at a meeting of the Vestry in August, the Rev. John McNamara was invited to take charge of the parish, which invitation he accepted, and soon entered upon the duties of the rectorship. April 25, 1870, a communication from the Rector, relating to the enlarging of the church, was received and read to the Vestry, and W. R. Sill, S. L. Nevins and W. W. Crosby were appointed as a committee to consider the proposi

b

In March, 1875, the congregation purchased a parsonage for their Pastor, on the southeast corner of Market and Seventh streets, now valued at $3,000.

The congregation has now 300 members, and 175 communicants. In 1880, they had 41 baptisms, 15 confirmations, 15 marriages and 14 deaths.

Norwegian Lutheran Church, North La Crosse.-There was no regular congregation and services established there until 1875. J. B. Frich preached there occasionally since 1868, but the members belonged to the congregation in La Crosse. In 1873, they began the erection of a church, and on February 8, 1874, Rev. J. B. Frich preached the dedicatory sermon in it. The church is situated on the corner of Avon and St. James streets, and the church, together with the lot, is valued at $800. Has seats for 200 persons. J. B. Frich has always been the Pastor of this church.

The first members were H. Dauchertsen, A. Fjelstad, C. O. Store, H. Simonson, J. Solberg, F. H. Nordlien. The congregation includes now forty communicants. In 1880, there were 15 baptisms, 1 confirmation, 3 marriages, 3 deaths. A Sabbath school of 20 children.

Anshe Chesed Congregation (Hebrew).-Organized in May, 1857, at the house of I. Cantrovitz.

The first officers were L. Hirshheimer, President; Isaac Tuteur, Vice President; W. Scharpf, Secretary. Mr. Hirshheimer died about two years ago, while Mr. Tuteur is still an honored resident and member of that congregation. For a few years they prospered, but as their number of paying members, after a few years, was limited, they rather languished. For about five or six years the members thereof had what we would call a revival, and, under the present management, it is in a flourishing condition.

The co-operation which some of the Jewish members have in those years accomplished, in any other denomination would be considered a great personal sacrifice. When we consider, even at this day, they have no more than about eighteen or twenty paying members, it is not surprising that they have no regular paid minister, and are obliged to depend on the voluntary services of their members, generally I. Cantrovitz and A. Patz, to officiate at their religious cer

emonies.

The present officers are: G. Langstad, President; H. Berger, Secretary; Sigmund Guttman, Treasurer.

The Roman Catholic Church.-The city of La Crosse had not yet been incorporated when Rev. W. Tappert, the first resident priest, arrived here; he held divine service for the first time on the 24th of August, 1855. No church having yet been erected, the service was held in private buildings at first, and later on in the old court house. Rev. W. Tappert was not only the first resident priest of the city of La Crosse, but also of the entire county.

Previously to his arrival, Rev. Father Gattier, the French Pastor at Prairie du Chien, Crawford County, had occasionally visited this place, and administered to the religious wants of the few Catholics then living on the Prairie de La Crosse." Rev. W. Tappert commenced building a church at once, and in spite of poverty and other adverse circumstances, he finished it in 1856, precisely one year after his first service in La Crosse, on the 24th day of August. 1856, it was solemnly dedicated to divine service. The building was, of course, of frame; of some 60x35, and situated on the northeast corner of Seventh street and Cameron avenue. was named St. Mary's, and intended for all the Catholics in the entire county of La Crosse. What is now the city of La Crosse, had then about twenty-five Catholic families. Since the arrival of W. Tappert, the county of La Crosse has had always at least one resident priest, i. e., the Pastor of St. Mary's.

It

By him also the Catholic families scattered all over the county were visited and attended. From 1855 to 1868, many a Pastor has been in charge of that church; some of these staying here for several years, will still be known by many citizens; the Rev. Father Etschmann, and the still better known Rev. M. M. Marco, who served as Pastor of St. Mary's from 1863 to 1868. It was he who, in the year 1867, was sent by the Governor of Wisconsin, Hon. Lucius Fairchild, as delegate of the State to the Exhibition in Paris, France. As early as 1856, a