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First English Lutheran Church

New Richmond, US

First English Lutheran Church

First English Lutheran Church (St. Thomas Episcopal Church) is a historic church at 354 Third St., North in New Richmond, Wisconsin, United States. It was built in 1906 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Around 1892, Pastor J.T. Kjollgren organized a Lutheran congrega

tion among the Swedish settlers on the north side of New Richmond. Many of them worked in lumber mills on the north side of the Willow River – especially the Willow River Lumber Company. The congregation was probably called First English Lutheran because it held some worship in the English language. They initially held services in the Norwegian Lutheran Church on North Third Street, renting the space at one dollar per service. In 1906 the congregation decided to build its own church. They arranged a benefit to raise money for this project, with the Arpi Quartette from Gustavus Adolphus College performing at Hagan's Opera House. Tickets cost from 25¢ for children to 50¢ for reserved seats. Construction began that same year. The first service in the new building was held January 5, 1907 in the basement, because the roof wasn't yet finished. The general form of the building is a typical small...

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