Lay preachers, one of whom was Knud Salvesen from Big Elk Creek, ministered to Norwegian immigrants in their homes until February 1, 1864, when Rev. L. Norem, pastor of Big Elk Creek Lutheran Church organized a provisional congregation.

1865: Rev. Amon Johnson was called as pastor. The congregation was reorganized and on July 19, 1865, a constitution was adopted and leaders were elected. The congregation was incorporated on August 1, 1865, with the name, First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. North Side members met in the Town Hall and the West Side group met at the home of Isaac Anderson, 806 Market Street.

1866: First parsonage was built at 5th Avenue and Hudson Street.

1868: Parochial School was built at 5th Avenue and Hudson Street.

1869: North Side church was built on the corner of Wisconsin and North Dewey Streets on land donated by Mr. J. G. Thorp and completed in 1873.

1872: Parochial School was torn down to make room for the West Side Church (on Fifth Avenue and Hudson Street completed in 1876). First services were held in the church in 1873.

1876: Rev. Gjermund Hoyme was called as pastor at age 29. Membership was 500.

1879: Additions made to both churches.

1882: New Parochial School was built on the corner of Spruce Street and Oxford Avenue.

1883: Andrew ("Klokker") Anderson was elected teacher of the Parochial School and served 27 years.

1885: The first congregational choir was organized by Andrew Anderson.

1886: Rev. Hoyme elected president of the Norwegian-Danish Conference. North Side Church was enlarged.

1889: Young People's Society was organized. West Side Church was enlarged.

1890: Pastor Hoyme was elected president of the newly organized United Norwegian Lutheran Church. Mission Societies were organized.

1893: Membership was 1,390.

1894: Rev. Peder Tangjerd was called. Pastor Hoyme was hired as Assistant Pastor while he continued his Synod duties.

1895: Tina Werstad served as a teacher, choir director, and organist at the Parochial School and parish worker and assistant to the pastor. Young People's Society of First Lutheran presented plans to build a hospital to serve the Scandinavian community in the Chippewa Valley.

1896: Deaconess Laura Eng begins work among the poor and sick Norwegians.

1900: A few Sunday evening worship services in the English language were held.

1902: Mandsforening Men's Club - Lutheran Brotherhood was formed.

1905: Property, formerly Rev. G. Hoyme's residence at the corner of Bellinger and Chestnut, purchased for a hospital site at a cost of $4,000.

1906: Luther Hospital construction began; a joint effort of all Scandinavians. It was completed in 1908.

1909: 300 Sunday School students; 50 teachers. Class rotated Sunday by Sunday between the two church buildings and was held at 9 a.m.

1910: January 4, 137 members withdrew and organized Grace English Lutheran Church.

1911: Began offering envelope system.

1913: Celebrated the 50th Anniversary of First Lutheran with worship at the North Side Church, a lunch served by the Ladies' Aid at Mount Tom Park, and evening festivities at the West Side Church.

1915: In his annual report, Pastor Tangjerd complained "because there were some families in the congregation who never set foot inside the doors of the church." He urged special prayers for these "delinquents." Congregation passed a resolution "warning the young people against mixed marriages because of the ill-results to the faith of the youth," and the parents were urged "to guide the young people at the time of love-making."

1916: Membership over 2000.

1917: Rev. Peter R. Syrdal was called. Norwegian Lutheran Church of America was formed.

1918: Construction was started on a new church building at 1005 Oxford Avenue replacing the North Side and West Side churches.

1920: Church completed and dedicated on September 26, 1920.

1923: Rev. Johan M. Wick was installed as new pastor. Pastor Syrdal resigned due to poor health.

1924: Alma Shennum called as the first Parish Worker.

1926: Assistant Pastor Alvin Snesrud organized choirs.

1928: Children's choir of 150 voices was organized.

1933: Rev. Dr. Seth C. Eastvold became the Senior Pastor. Many auxiliary groups were organized. Sponsored Rev. Ralph Syrdal as Missionary to China.

1934: Church orchestra of 20 instruments organized by C. J. Danielson. The subscription cost for the parish paper, "The Church Chimes," 25 cents a year.

1937: Began live broadcasting of Worship Service on WEAU radio. First Lutheran was known as the "Church of the Air".

1939: New public address system and personal ear phones installed.

1940: Youth Building was built providing classrooms and gymnasium. Membership had grown to 3,000. 100th Anniversary celebrated.

1940's and 50's: Sponsored Missionaries to China, Japan and South America.

1943: Rev. Agnar S. Tanner was installed as Senior Pastor. 250 First Lutheran men and women are serving in World War II.

1947: Congregation changed name to "First Lutheran Church" at 82nd Annual Meeting, January 20.

1949: Weekly services in the Norwegian language discontinue.

1951: Installed 42-rank Moeller pipe organ (3 manual, 2,800 pipes) at a cost of $37,146. Tonal revisions made in 1979. Chancel remodeled.

1952: Magnificent, 3,000 piece, stained glass chancel window by Pickel was installed.

1953: Last worship service conducted in the Norwegian language.

1954: Rev. Gjermund Thompson was installed as Senior Pastor. New Norwegian individual silver Communion chalices purchased. Cherub Choir organized by Ruth Waller. Parish paper, "The First Lutheran," began publication.

1955: Two buses chartered to transport students to Sunday School and Vacation Bible School . "Chapel Time" TV program sponsored jointly by First and Grace Lutheran.

1958: Purchased new Service Book and Hymnal (the "red book").

1961: Church merger formed The American Lutheran Church. Built Education Building that included lounge, new offices, nursery, chapel, auditorium, and classrooms; dedicated December 17, 1961. Four Swedish "Bloomstermaling" (flower paintings) placed in Lounge; donated by painter, Marvin Anderson.

1962: Special Education classes started. New Constitution adopted to conform to with The American Lutheran Church.

1963: Bethel Bible Series began November 6 with 390 enrollments.

1964: Rev. Maynard V. Midthun was installed as Senior Pastor. Library and Historical Rooms were remodeled and enhanced.

1965: Congregation celebrated its 100th Anniversary in June.

1967: Parsonage torn down and additional property purchased for parking lot on Third Avenue and Central Street.

1974: Cotty Vefald Preschool began. Bylaws changed to allow preparation for Holy Communion as young as age 10.

1975: Congregation voted to sponsor a family from Vietnam .

1979: Rev. James H. Homme was installed as Senior Pastor. Congregation sponsored a Hmong family. "Go Kits" provided to hospitalized children.

1980: Purchased new Lutheran Book of Worship (the "green book"). Parish paper, "The First Word," began.

1981: Monday evening worship begins during summer months.

1982: Christ painting originally from behind altar of West Side Church and later the present altar was restored and placed in Education Building stairwell.

1983: Purchased handbells. Handbell choir organized by Michael Clark. "Feed My People" an ecumenical project was born when the Hunger Committee of First Lutheran was searching for a way to serve hungry people in the area. Constitution and Bylaws changed from three working committees to eight boards.

1985: First Lutheran Foundation was incorporated, October 8. 120 th Anniversary Celebration, "Living in His Promises." First "Load A Truck Sunday" food drive and challenge to all city churches to feed the hungry.

1986: First computers for church office purchased. Search Bible Studies began.

1988: Stephen Ministry training began, one-on-one care giving lay ministry. Merger formed the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

1990: 125th Anniversary of First Lutheran celebrated. First Stephen Ministers commissioned.

1993: Nursery redecorated.

1994: Rev. Dr. Duane C. Pederson installed as Senior Pastor. Began serving Community Table meals.

1995: Contemporary Worship Service introduced during the Sunday 10 a.m. hour. Geri Long hired part time as Parish Nurse. Three new outreach ministries implemented: Home Baked Outreach visitation to first-time visitors to worship, Interfaith Hospitality Network homeless ministry, and Habitat for Humanity home building. Free taxicab rides to all church functions provided by First Lutheran Foundation to disabled, elderly, or anyone unable to drive. Called first female pastor in congregation's history, Pastor Jeanne Warner.

1996: 28 acre property on East Hamilton Avenue and Gateway Drive purchased by First Lutheran Foundation for building housing for older adults. Revision of Constitution and Bylaws approved to conform to with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at January 21 Annual Meeting. Monthly midweek Healing Services in Chapel began.

1997: June 20, groundbreaking for The Meadows at Otter Creek, 36 unit, independent living apartment complex for older adults. First joint Thanksgiving Eve service with Grace Lutheran. Supported Calvary Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, North Dakota, following Midwest floods with clean up teams, pen pals, prayers, and donations; at over $60,000, First donated more than any congregation in the ELCA. Library moved to the assembly. Old library space named "Cana Room" for bridal preparation area.

1998: Residents moved into The Meadows apartments, July 1. Dedication held July 12. First Lutheran Preschool relocated to upper level of the Education Building from lower level of Youth Building and renamed "First Lutheran Preschool."

1999: Missionary sponsorship of Dr. Mark and Linda Jacobson at Selian Lutheran Hospital in Arusha, Tanzania, Africa. Joint worship service with Grace Lutheran held at Carson Park 's main ball field on Sunday, June 13. Began "rotation workshop model" Sunday School program. First Act, a new drama team, presented a skit for fall stewardship program and a shadow drama for Christmas Eve services. Purchased a 40' canvas labyrinth and was first used in the gym during Holy Week. Installed new gym floor, lights and safety padding.

2000: Synod Resource Center , an electronic library of the NW Synod of WI, was located on second floor of Education Building; Pastor Greg Kaufmann, Assistant to the Bishop, Director. First Lutheran website went online at www.First-Lutheran.org. Pipe organ donated and installed in the Chapel.

2001: Projection system installed in the sanctuary to enhance worship. Air conditioning installed in the sanctuary.

2002: Developed companion relationship with Salima Parish in Malawi, Africa. CARELink, a new ecumenical emergency assistance program for persons in dire need was organized.

2003: First telecast of First Lutheran's worship on Public Access Cable TV on February 5, 1 p.m., Channel 11. Radio service discontinued. Raised $10,000 to fund neonatal unit for new city hospital in Arusha, Tanzania. "Alpha Series" adult education program offered. Pastor Amy J. Odgren was called as Associate Pastor and installed on September 7.

2004: First Lutheran Foundation purchased property on north side of church to expand parking lot. Lower level of Youth Building renovated for youth activity space. Historic Norwegian ships hung in sanctuary in time for Christmas; ships formerly hung in North Side and West Side church buildings. Sponsored a Hmong family in most recent relocation from Laos. Supported Malawi companion congregation by funding the new Salima Parish Hall.

2005: Eight beautiful stained glass windows, given as memorials, were installed in Chapel. Old youth office remodeled to create "Norway Room." Old Rainbow Room remodeled for Youth, Education, Music staff offices. First Lutheran Foundation developed a website at www.firstlutheranfoundation.org. 140th Anniversary Celebrated, October 23. Theme: O God, Our Help in Ages Past, Our Hope for Years to Come."

Our thanks to the Historical Committee of First Lutheran Church and to The Rev. Dr. Duane Pederson for preparing this chronology of the congregation's history for the 140th Anniversary Celebration in 2005.

Addendum

2006: Hosted ecumenical Prayer for Christian Unity Service and organized an ecumenical study of Mark's Gospel among six downtown congregations. Cathedral Choir of Malawi in concert at First with 914 people packed into the sanctuary. The Lutheran, the denominational magazine of the ELCA, awarded First Lutheran with the "Best Overall Site" and "Best Design and Navigation" for the congregation's web site and featured First in the July issue. Approved capital improvement work and raised $500,000 for facility improvements and repair.

2007: Pastor Duane Pederson elected Bishop of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin at the Synod Assembly on June 2. Bishop Pederson's six-year term began August 1 after 13 years as senior pastor at First Lutheran Church.