OUR HISTORY

With the universal Christian Church, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod teaches and responds to the love of the Triune God

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Our Beginning

In 1958, local Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) pastors suggested that a study be made of the Town of Rib Mountain with the possibility of establishing a mission congregation. In 1960, this was brought to the attention of the Convention of the North Wisconsin District (NWD) of the LCMS. Accordingly, the convention encouraged the District Board of Directors to proceed with the study and formulate plans to open a mission.

By early 1961, the survey was complete and results indicated that the area was in real need of a church. On January 6, 1962, 4.342 acres of land were purchased for the building of the church from Mr. and Mrs. Harvey E. Nelson at the church's current location on Eagle Avenue. With the support of Trinity Lutheran Church and the NWD, construction on the new church began in April on 1963. As the building was nearly completion in April of 1964, Reverend Harold F. Winter was called as our first pastor. Then on May 17, 1964 our first worship service was held with 372 people in attendance.

Over the Years

Our church grew rapidly in the beginning and had nearly 500 members by the end our first year. In 1974, the churched added a Nursery School that would grow and expand over the next 30 years before its decline and closure in 2006. Over the years, Pastors have come and gone as well. In 1975, Pastor Winter left to take a call to Good Shepherd by the Lake in Stoughton, Wisconsin. He was followed by Reverend Thomas Hedtke who accepted the call to Rib Mountain Lutheran in 1976. In 1981, we welcomed a new ministry for the deaf members of our community to our church and it continues to thrive still today. With this, we welcomed Reverend Philip Pledger in 1984 to our church, splitting his time between the hearing and deaf communities here. Also in 1984 our church membership peaked at 852 souls. In 1986, Pastor Hedtke accepted a call to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Marion, Iowa. He was followed by Reverend Thomas Hoelter in 1987. That same year, Pastor Pledger accepted a call to Huntington Beach California and was replaced by Reverend Steven Schumacher. Pastor Schumacher left to become a full-time missionary to the Deaf in 1989. In the 1990's we saw the addition of our beautiful chancel, choir loft, and fellowship hall. The 2000's brought us our 40th and 50th Anniversaries along with the retirement of Pastor Heolter in 2013 and the arrival of our current Pastor, the Reverend Timothy Swanson in 2014.

TODAY...

Over the years, the Gospel continued to be proclaimed at our church and many souls have come and gone through our doors. Today, while our membership is not what it once was, we are a vibrant growing church that values the great gifts that we have been given in both Word and Sacrament. We are always seeking to be faithful followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, worshiping Him and showing our love for our neighbors. While we don't know exactly what the future holds for us here, we know that God does work all things together for good and we will continue to trust in him today, tomorrow, and for all eternity.

Meet The Team

Rev Timothy Swanson

Pastor

Cheryl Lueck

Organist