A Brief History of St. John's Lutheran Church Riplinger WI

Compiled from research of old records and recollections by Mr. Reuben Rex

Transcribed by Ken Wood.

 

The first church group met at the Peter Fritz Store (Corner Store) located in the Town of Unity, Section 6, on County Trunk K, where it crosses the railroad and the Poplar River and was located between the river and the now existing town road going west on K. (Pine Lane) Fritz saw mill was located (north) cross the road.

 

How often they met is somewhat vague (two times a month). $87.75 for the first year salary, plus oats and hay for the horse.  Loose offering (Klingbeutel Geld) &8.47. One of the members built a pulpit in one corner and gave it a nice coat of red paint.  When the peacher put his hands on the loweer rim, he had a nice smear on them.  Julius Luchterhand was the first president on record. Chairs that are in use today were bought in Unity.

 

It was decided to build a new church and land was bought from August Lemke for $60.00 where our present cemetery is located today on County K & Q and was named Friedens Gemeinde.  All services were in the German language until 1919 when it was half and at times 3 to 1.

 

In 1907 the church was built.  Frank Meyer (98) and his brother George were the main carpenters.  As the tower was built, a tornado shifted it and it had to be pulled plumb by block and tackle with horses.  That's why it is double nailed.  $196.00 was the carpenter bill.  $25.00 was the mason bill for Riemer Bros.  Bright's Mill, west of Atwood, made the shingles which were hauled by wagon by Woilliam Domer Sr. and George Miller.  The bell was bought from ears Roebuck and was hailed by sleigh from Unity by George Miller.  As was the custom those days everybody that was able helped build the church.  Lumber was bought from the Peter Fritz and Ed Pershke Mills at Unity.  Pershke made the wainscoating, flooring, etc. and I believe the pews.  ($210.00) Cornerstone was $2.85.  The Dedication (Einveiung) netted $29.50 on September 30, 1907.

 

At the Poplar River, singing was led by the minister by voice or violin.  Mrs. George (Jennie) Miller was the first organist in the new church.  The Domer boys were the janitors during the early years.  There were other donations of hardwood lumber for flooring, sand and gravel.

 

In 1923 the church was moved to Riplinger by steam engine by Arthur Wisnosky and others.  A mover from Spencer started to move it and a mover from Neillsville finished the job.  Land for the new location was purchased from the Riplingers for $200.00.  The north addition was built in 1943.  Lynn Pickett and Otto Schulz were the carpenters.  Ten stained glass windows were donated by ten members of the congregation.  In 1945 the first school, built in 1915 in Riplinger, was bought from the District for $1,000.00 and was remodled into a parsonage for rev. August Quandt (1945-1949).  He worked hard with other volunteers.  In 1950, during Rev. Pagels stay, the small church which served as Sunday School and was located on the southwest corner of the present church property, was moved to its present location at the parsonage for a garage.  (I rode the roof to clear the wires.) The parsonage was sold to Reuben & Olga Rex in 1964.

 

In 1963 we merged with North Spencer (Missouri) congregation.  In 1977 a well was drilled at the church.  In 1979 a new front addition was started in November and was dedicated April 20, 1980.  Source: Reuben Rex.