Immanuel Lutheran Church Hewitt

The fifth day of October, 1892 is a never-to-be-forgotten day in the history of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Hewitt, WI.  Since it marks the beginning of this congregation.

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Lutheranism in this community dates farther back, however, than 1892.  Since Marshfield to the west and Auburndale to the east already had established congregations with resident pastors before 1892, the first few Lutheran settlers in the Hewitt territory received some spiritual care from those neighboring churches.  But the need of a local church was soon felt by all.  And as more Lutherans, most of them from Southern Wisconsin, settled on the wild tracts of land in this vicinity, the desire for their own church home gained momentum, and so they communicated with  Pastor F.H. Siebrandt, who at the time was supplying the vacancy at Auburndale.  Upon their request, he conducted divine services for them in the granary of Henry Federwitz I.  Like many other churches, the beginnings of this congregation were very humble.

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In a meeting called by Pastor Siebrandt in June 1892, a resolution was adopted to build a church.  Work was begun immediately, and was done by members of the church under the supervision of Albert Duchow., Fred Wunrow Sr. and Gustav Wunrow.  The first church was a plain building, 26x40 feet, and the congregation was officially organized on October 5, 1892 when Pastor William Georgi of Auburndale was called to serve.  Throughout the years, there were numerous additions made to the first church building including the addition of a steeple, as the original building did not have one, a parsonage and a school. 

 

In October 1988 a Planning Committee was formed to explore building a new church and work began on the current church with a ground breaking on April 28, 1991.  Only 3 days later, with the help of the Laborers for Christ, work officially began on the new church.  The final service in the original church, which stood for 99 years, took place on December 1, 1991. One week later, on December 8, 1991 the first service was held in the new church as it stands today with an official dedication ceremony which took place on January 12, 1992.

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The spirit of the current church was not built for the present but for the tomorrows that follow.  This is evident in the growth each year of the number of new members, both infants and adults, who are finding a church home at Immanuel Lutheran Church Hewitt.

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Immanuel Lutheran Church Hewitt is a member of the Northern Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. (For more on the LCMS, please visit their website).

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