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The Church of Holy Innocents
As published in "The History of Racine and Kenosha Counties" (Chicago: 1879), p. 382
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In the fall of 1867, Mrs. Dean and Mrs. Falk, wives of professors in Racine College,
began a small Sunday school in Mrs. Falk's house, for the children of the southern
part of the city. Other ladies connected with the college, principally Mrs. Wheeler
and Mrs. Franklin, joined them. The number of scholars becoming too large, the ladies
resolved to build a Sunday school building, but soon changed their plans and concluded
to erect a larger building, also for divine service. The Rev. Messrs. Wheeler and Falk
were appointed the agents of the ladies, and collected money from friends of the
College, whilst the other ladies were working for the same purpose. The building was
finished and fully paid for in September, 1869, and since that time regular services
have been held. Two years later, the mission, being prosperous, was fully organized,
and received the right of representation in the Diocesan Council. The services were
first conducted by the Rev. Mr. Wheeler and the Rev. Dr. Falk, then by the latter
alone, supported in later times by the Rev. Messrs. Hall and Gold. The building is a
wooden structure, in gothic style, seating about one hundred and fifty persons. There
are at present about forty-two communicants in the congregation. The Sunday school has
an average attendance of fifty scholars. The cost of the building, its furniture, bell
and organ, was $2,500, including the lot. The present organization if as follows: Rev.
F. W. A. Falk, D. D., Ph. D., Missionary in Charge; Rev. W. Gold, Assistant; Joseph
Moon, Warden; J. R. Brown, Treasurer; Cary Judd, Clerk. The property of Holy Innocents
Church is deeded to the trustees of funds and property of the Diocese of Wisconsin. It
is situated on the corner of Fourteenth street and Washington Avenue in the
southwestern suburbs of the city.
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