Worldwide impact is felt over 150 years of church service

Big Drywood Lutheran Church looks much the same, even though the congregation is celebrating 150 years of existence. Some things have changed aesthetically, but the heart of the church – the people – never have. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

For a small church down a country road, 150 years is a long time of faith and service, which is what Big Drywood Lutheran Church in rural Cadott, is celebrating this August. The history of the church first began in 1874, when a group of Norse immigrants met in a log house, about a mile and a half from the present church site.

The church was formed under the name of the Anson Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran, when services were held in members’ homes, with sermons preached 12 times a year, in Norwegian, by a traveling pastor, with an annual salary of $56.

An old frame school house was purchased for $62, in 1887, providing a permanent church building for the congregation. Pastor Anton Peter Lea was called to serve the families in the church.

By 1897, members voted to begin construction of a new site and a cornerstone for a church building was in place in 1898; the name was then changed to Big Drywood Scandinavian Lutheran.

Eventually, the first building was moved to across the road from the present location, to a lot given to the church by Theodore Johnson, but the structure burned down.

By 1930, a decision was made to hold worship services every two weeks, with two out of every three held in English.

The congregation decided to separate from the Chippewa Falls Parish, and join with Cornell and Yellow River, to form a new three-point parish, until in 1957, when the congregation voted to withdraw from the three-point parish, to join with English Lutheran Church of Bateman.

In 1961, the Chap Creek schoolhouse was acquired from the Cadott School District. The building was remodeled to serve as a parish hall.

wood con ife. n. “When f family.” f change, h. Where t of the ng that ngregaso they e “We have a lot of history,” said Angie Danielson, who is part of a six-generation family to be baptized within the church.

The church celebrated their centennial celebration in 1974, and in 1983, the congregation voted to separate from the Lutheran Church of Bateman and form their own single point parish. While churches around them were combining or folding, members of the Drywood congregation have stayed constant to their way of life.

“We’ve always remained,” said Danielson. there’s a need, everyone comes, which is part of Of course, the church has seen its share of including changing the entrance to the church. the graveyard driveway is, was once the front church, with doors to the sanctuary, but realizing the cemetery could only expand so far, the congregation switched the church entrance to the back, so could add on.

A balcony was also removed, much to the chagrin of some, who got to sit up there in the “cool” spot when they attained a certain age. The fellowship hall has recently seen an upgrade, with new chairs, as well as some work to the kitchen and a replica belfry to the north of the church, housing the old church bell.

Danielson’s father-in-law is especially excited to hear the bell ring once more.

Something that has never changed, is the welcoming atmosphere, friendly smiles and service to those in need. Included in that, are the more than 500 school kit bags for children, filled with notebooks, pencils, rulers and erasers. They are then packed and sent to Lutheran World Relief. In fact, several church families are generational mission To celeb what i ginnin ielson’s and story popcorn fortable anyone Th a coffee a disp lo workers and there’s even a sister church in Brazil.

Members of the congregation also make prayer shawls for those who are sick, seatbelt port cushions and other items.

“Our little country church, that you don’t even know is here, is making an impact,” said Danielson. “It’s not just our community. I can safely say worldwide.” celebrate all the little things that make the church is, the public is invited to a weekend party, beginning Saturday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m., 7, at Peter Danielson’s (28020 110th Ave., Cadott), with a sing-along sharing time. People are invited to drop by for and root beer, and are asked to bring a comfortable chair. A bonfire will follow the sing-along, for who wants to stick around. The next day, Sunday, Aug. 25, from 9-10 a.m., hour and fellowship time happens, featuring display of historical items and memorabilia. Following that, at 10 a.m., there will be a special 150th anniversary worship with holy communion, with current and former pastors, and bishop-elect, the Rev. Martin Halom. At 1 p.m. that day, a program takes place of highlights of the last 150 years, comments from former pastors and other guests, and predictions for the next 150 years. When thinking about the history of the church, Danielson says there are so many little things that go on, she’s not even sure she knows about all of them. It’s her hope that youth from the area will check out the church and get on board with a lifetime of faith, and all that entails.

She’s also come to realize the importance of passing down the knowledge, history and tradition, and service to others, just like the elders of the church have done with her and others who have a heart of service.

Some day, those elders will be gone, but their heritage will live on, which Big Drywood Lutheran Church has shown to be true for the last 150 years.

“They’ll be here in church, in me,” said Danielson.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="241"] Newly in place, is the old church bell that once hung in a tower above the congregation, but it was removed and now sits by the side of the church, waiting to be rung by remote control for services and special occasions. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]