Church: Withee - Nazareth Lutheran (90th Anniversary 1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Thomsen, Nielsen, Luetkehoelter, Bundgaard, Amacher, Frost, Andersen, Andreasen, Holm, Jalling, Rasmussen

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (07 October 1983)

The Nazareth Lutheran Church of Withee is observing the 90th anniversary of its founding Saturday and Sunday.

There will be an informal open house Saturday in Nazareth Hall for former pastors, members and visiting guests. A coffee table sponsored by Nazareth's Lutheran Church Women will be served. This will include a program of speeches and songs. The evening will conclude with folk dancing and round games led by Mrs. Kristen Thomsen.

At the festival worship Sunday, the Rev. W. Clayton Nielsen will be communion administrate. The Rev. H.W. Luetkehoelter of Antigo, a former pastor, will preach. An anniversary dinner at Nazareth Hall will follow. Mrs. L.C. Bungaard, whose husband served as pastor from 1942-49, will be honored guest.

A program at the church will feature the Wausau Lutheran Choir. Mrs. Nancy Amacher, a member of the congregation now studying for the ministry at Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, will preside. A reception with refreshments served by Nazareth's youth group will end the festivities.

Pictures and memorabilia arranged by Mrs. Joan Frost and two of the congregation's Girl Scouts will be on display during the Sunday afternoon reception.

The church was founded in 1893 by the Rev. A.S. Nielsen and three families from Chicago who joined him to establish a Danish immigrant community in the Owen-Withee area. By 1896, the congregation's membership consisted of 30 families with 110 baptized members.

Today the congregation has 150 active families and a baptized membership of more than 400. Among the descendants of the original founders is Alfred Frost, 89, of Withee. Church records show he is the first child baptized at Nazareth.

The weekend's celebration also marks the 25th anniversary of the building's construction.

Those serving on the anniversary committee are Helga Andersen, Norman Andreasen, Alfa Holm, Jack Jalling and Jim Rasmussen. John and Vi Jalling have assembled the anniversary booklet.

Since 1961, the church has been a member congregation of the Wisconsin Upper Michigan Synod of the Lutheran Church in America.

The present pastor, the Rev. Peter Thomsen, has served since October 31, 1979.