On Saturday, October 1st, Saint Luke’s Evangelical German Church, in Elroy, held a celebration for having made both the National (August 14th) and State (May 17th) Historical Register, back in 2019. The church dates back to 1899 and was formed by German immigrants. An event is held each year, to raise money for the Saint Luke’s Auxiliary, a group that ensures the upkeep of the historic structure and makes sure that operating costs, around $2,000 a year, are met. The event holds an auction and a raffle, while also accepting direct donations. This year’s celebration had a bit more significance, and many joined in the festive atmosphere.
Pastor Karen Sparling started out the program celebration with an invocation. She was followed by Board President, Frieda Jacobson, who welcomed everybody who had gathered for the celebration. The Wonewoc 4-H Club led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, which was followed by an introduction of the Preservation Board members. There was a moment for the new sign dedication, for the historical event. Wilmas Novy recited the Lord’s Prayer, in German, to honor the founders of the church.
Earlier in the year, there had been a terrible storm that caused a lot of damage to the church. The Challenge Academy, from Fort McCoy had come out and helped with the cleanup and repair. They were on hand last weekend, not just to attend the ceremony, but to be a part of it. They unfolded the flag, at the beginning of the celebration, and had a booth there as well.
Myrna Fauska, writer of Southside News, for the Monroe County Herald, was in attendance. She was baptized in Saint Luke’s Church. Fauska also stepped into the role of leading the audience in “Amazing Grace,” as well as “How Great Thou Art.” Sigrid Knuti, church historian, gave a brief history of Saint Luke’s Church, to those in attendance. Doug Rogalla, County Board Supervisor for the district, spoke on the importance of saving history. He mentioned the Memorial Day tradition of honoring our veterans, which has been in place for many years, at Saint Lukes.
Board President, Frieda Jacobson, shared the story of St Luke’s cross: When the roof was replaced earlier this summer, the workers discovered that the bottom of the cross on the steeple had rotted; to the point of having to remove it. A new one was built by Wayne McCullick and attached in its place. No one had the heart to destroy the old one, so it laid on the sidewalk outside of the church for several weeks. Church records indicated that it was likely the original one that was attached, after the building had been struck by lightning, back in 1925. That strike left burn damage to the roof and steeple. The cross needed to be preserved! At the next board meeting, it was decided to try and save it and put it on display on the altar. It went back to Wayne and he cut off the worst of the rot, filled the bad spots, sanded it and painted it gold. Today it proudly stands on the altar.
After the program concluded, former Governor, Tommy Thompson arrived. As expected, he did a masterful job of working the crowd, shaking hands, sharing a memory with each attendee and making their connections to Elroy and/or his family. While making his rounds, he came upon the display set up by The Challenge Academy, from Fort McCoy. They were excited to meet a former Governor and were even more excited when he told them that the Academy had been created during his tenure as Governor.
The Monroe County Herald would like to thank Frieda Jacobson and Bernadine Arena for their contribution to this article.
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