Saint Paul Lutheran Church (Deer Park, Wisconsin) Official Acts and Records

Six Lutheran families who had settled in the Deer Park area were initially served by a circuit rider pastor. In November 1882, Rev. Theodore Buenger began serving the Deer Park area as a preaching station. Weather permitting, he returned every second month. In 1884, Pastor Buengler tried to organize a congregation at that time, but was unable to do so. Later that year, his mission field was divided, so he came once a month. Saint Paul was formally organized on March 7, 1886. The formal name was the German Evangelical Lutheran Saint Paul Congregation of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession at Deer Park, Wisconsin. Services were initially held in a log schoolhouse, and later, the school in Deer Park was used. A school was opened in 1887. A resolution to build a church building was passed in 1893. The building was dedicated in November 1896. Plans were considered for a church cemetery in 1900, but were unsuccessful. In 1901, a portion of the congregation separated and called a pastor from the Ohio Synod. The remaining members of the LCMS kept the church building. In 1904, services were held every other Sunday, and in 1907, changed to every Sunday. By 1910, Saint Paul was self-supporting. This congregation celebrated its 25th anniversary with two services, both in German. English services were introduced in 1911, but were discontinued some time later. English services began again in 1917, at first, once a month on Sunday afternoons, and then twice a month. The same year, Immanual congregation at Huntington (Star Prairie) joined the parish. Electric lights were installed in the church building in 1923. Voters meeting minutes began being recorded in English in 1924. The congregation became a voting member of the LCMS in 1927. In 1930, the division of the church from 1901 was healed. The remaining members of the Ohio Synod church returned to Saint Paul, and offered it their church building. During 1931, the church steeple was taken down from the Ohio Synod church, a kitchen was built, and the building used for a parish hall. In 1933, shortly after the congrgation had purchased tornado and cyclone insurance, a storm blew down the steeple of the church. It was rebuilt, but lower due to the insurance. The 50th anniversary of the congregation and the 40th anniversary of the building was celebrated on June 14, 1936. In 1937, a daughter congregation at New Richmond was started, which was still thriving at the time this history was written (1976). June 30, 1946 marked the 60th anniversary. In 1953, A full basement was constructed under the church building and the front of the building was extended. Dedication took place on May 23, 1954. Immanuel, Huntington disbanded in 1957, and Saint Paul united with Christ Lutheran CHurch, Comstock. In 1960, plans were made to add an education wing. The 75th anniversary was celebrated in July 1961. The first portion of the new education wing was dedicated that day as well. 1962 marked completion of the building project with remodeling of the chancel and new offices. A driveway was built off the west side of the parking lot in 1963. Saint Paul and Saint John, Forest merged at this time as well. Around 1966, altar and pulpit fellowship with the American Lutheran Church meetings were held with East Immanuel and Little Falls congregations. It was decided that Saint Paul was in favor of this. Parish realignment was discussed in 1973, but nothing changed. Woman suffrage came in 1975, giving women the right to vote and hold offices. In January 1976, two women were elected to the Church Council. The 90th anniversary was celebrated on June 27, 1976. The 100th anniversary was celbrated in June 1986. The closing service of this congregation was held on July 30, 2023. .