BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF LEMONWEIR LUTHERAN CHURCH
1854 - 1954
(click on the underlined names to see photos)

1850 - Norwegians began to settle in the vicinity of the Lemonweir River in the present township of Lindina.
1854 - In May written request was made of Pioneer Pastor H. A. Preus that he come once or twice a year for services. On July 25, 1854, under the guidance of Pastor Preus the "The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Lemonweir" was organized. On his first visit he was carried across Brewer's Creek as there was no bridge. Knud Ormson stayed the night on the opposite side to guard the horses and buggy. From Spring Prairie, Paster H. A. Preus served the congregation for 11 years.
Biographical sketch of Pastor H. A. Preus
1855 - June 12, the congregation decided to affiliate with the Norwegian Ev. Lutheran Synod in North America.
1861 - December 6, the congregatin was incorporated under the name of "The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregatin near the Lemonweir River, Juneau County, Wisconsin." First trustees were Anders Arneson Rossland, Torstein Thorbjornson and John Halvorson. The first church was built. Biographical sketch of A. Rossland
1864 - Laws and by-laws were adopted for the congregation. These remained in effect until 1876. August 30, Pastor St. S. Reque was called as pastor. Since the Lemonweir congregation was the largest group in the circuit it was decided that the pastor would live in this area, so they bought the parsonage farm from Mr. and Mrs. Benedict Trowbridge in 1864, for $750. This parsonage was used steadily by all of our ministers and their families until 1953. Biographical sketch.
1865 - Pastor Preus preached his farewell sermon to the congregation.
1865-71 - The years of ministry of Pastor Reque to the Lemonweir congregation.
1871 - Dec. 31, Pastor B. Hovde was installed. He served for three and on-half years. The same year the congregation divided into East and West Lemonweir churches.
1872 - Discussion was begun on building a new church.
1874 - The present Church building was constructed.
1875 - Sept. 19, Pastor G. A. Lunde was installed as pastor. Biographical sketch
1880 - Sept. 19, Pastor M. P. Ruh was installed as pastor. He served the parish for 16 years. The first Ladies Aid was organized that year with Cristina Larson as its first president. Biographical sketch
1882 - Sept. 22, Jacob Quamme began his duties as teacher and precenter for the congregation.  In that office he served for many years. Biographical sketch
1883 - The present church building was dedicated.
1889 - The congregation withdrew from the Norwegian Synod.
1896 - July 5, Pastor Schive was installed as pastor. Biographical sketch
1905 - Pastor Schive was given a year's leave of absence in order to visit Norway. Pastor John G. Nelson was called to temporarily serve the congregation.
1906 - Pastor Schive sent his letter of resignation from Norway. Sept. 16 Pastor C. A. H. Hjermstad was installed. Biographical sketch
1921 - Electricity was installed in the parsonage.
1936 - The congregation was adopted into the N.L.C.A.
1940 - May 26th, Pastor Hjermstad conducted his last full sermon to the congregation. During his 34 years ministry he served practically without missing a service because of illness. During the summer of 1940 he underwent several major operations.
1941 - Pastor Hjermstad resigned because of ill health.  On May 25, Pastor A. M. Rusten was installed. Biographical sketch
1944 - June 2, Our Savior's Lutheran Church at Elroy was released from the Lemonweir parish.
1951 - The Wurlitzer electronic organ was dedicated.
1952 - Pastor Urberg resigned in July to accept a call at Belgrade, Minnesota.  During the remainder of the year the congregation was served by student pastors from the seminary and pastors from the circuit.
1953 - In January, Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Elroy once agan became a part of the parish. On February 1, Pastor Herbert Nelson began to serve the congregation. Later in the year Pastor Nelson resigned to serve as Missinary in Zululand, South Africa. On November 26 he preached his farewell sermon. Commissioning services were held for Pastor Nelson on November 29, 1953. In December Pastor Paul H. Sanders of Saco, Montana was called.
1954 - During the months from December, 1953 through April, 1954 congregation was served by students pastors Harvey Sigurdson and Robert Paulson. On May 2, Pastor Sanders was installed by Dr. Martin Anderson, Eastern District President.

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