Bios transcribed by Kay R. & History by Jan Cortez
Churches
Methodism - In 1841, Jesse Halstead, a Methodist circuit rider from Brothertown, preached the first licensed sermon in Oshkosh in Webster Stanley's bar-room. He had visited the place the year before, but did not find the religious soil so fertile then. In 1838, Clark Dickenson, one of the Government farmers of Neenah, had exhorted in the same place. He preached at various intervals, settling in Oshkosh in 1842. The next year he relinquished his part ot John P. Gallup, who was regularily ordained. In 1850, the society which had been formed, erected a building on Church street. This was occupied until 1875, when the handsome building, corner of Main and Merritt, was purchased. The property of the First Methodist Church, Rev. D.J. Holmes, Pastor, is valued at $32,000. The membership of the society is 203. From this, sprung the Second Methodist Church, corner of Eleventh and Minnesota, and the flourishing scoiety known as the Algoma Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. J.R. Creighton, Pastor.
Rev. A.H. Kopplein is Pastor of a strong German Methodist Society, whose neat church edifice is situated corner of Nebraska and Tenth. It was organized in 1860, and the church built in 1874, at a cost of &7,000. The parsonage was purchased at the same time. The membership of the society is over 100.
Besides the above, the sect is represented by small Welsh and Wesleyan societies.
Congregationalism - The First Congregational Society was organized in July, 1849, the prime movers in the enterprise being Joseph Jackson and his wife, assisted by Rev. Cutting Marsh. A building was completed the next year, Rev. H. Freeman becoming the first pastor. A large church building upon the present site was completed in 1857, but destroyed by fire in 1872. The elegant structure now occupied, corner of Algoma and Bond streets, was completed the next year., but not dedicated until October, 1875, when the society was out of debt. In December, 1876, Rev. K.C. Anderson assumed the pastorate. The present membership of the society is 230, and the property is valued at over $30,000. There is also a small Welsh Society, organized in 1849, whose church is corner of Franklin and Church streets.
Catholicism - For some time previous to the erection of St. Peter's Church, services were held in private houses and mass celebrated. Father E.J. Bonduel, Indian Missionary at Lake Poygan, was the first officiating priest. During 1850, the society was formed, and a building erected on the present site of its imposing edifice. This was afterward enlarged, but the present structure was not erected until 1880. The school, connected with the church, was organized in 1866, and has an attendance of 120. The value of the entire property is $23,000. Rev. Father James O'Malley, is in charge of the church, which has a membership of 1,100.
The fine church of St. Vincent de Paul, and the fine academy connected with it, are situated on Oregon street, near Thirteenth. The academy building is three stories in height, and was built in 1874, at a cost of $8,000. The school under the charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame, has an attendance of over 200. Rev. Father J. Reindl is the priest in charge of the society. This numbers 230 families, and ws formed in 1867, when the church building was erected at a cost of $12,000. Between the church and the academy building is the priest's house, the entire group presenting quite an imposing appearance.
St. Mary's Catholic Church (German) has a membership of about 800. Connected with it is a school, which is attended by over 100 pupils. Rev. Father Roman Sholter is the priest in charge.
Episcopal Churches - The Trinity Church was organized in 1854, Rev. D.W. Talford becoming the first resident pastor. Services had been held for a few years previous. In 1859, the building was erected, at the corner of Algoma and Light. It was improved in 1866 and 1876. The property is valued at $6,000. Rev. F.R. Hoff is the rector. Membership of the society is 180.
The St. Paul's Society worship corner of Melvin and Forest streets, while Grace Church, or Chapel, corner of Minnesota and Eleventh, has its pulpit supplied under direction of the Bishop.
Baptist Churches - The First Baptist Church was formed in May, 1854, Rev. E.C. Sanders becoming its pastor during the succeeding month. The building erected in 1859, on Jefferson avenue, was burned in 1874. The edifice now occupied, corner of Church and May streets, was dedicated in 1875. The church property is valued at $20,000; membership of society 200; pastor, Rev. H.O. Rowlands. A small society - the Second Baptist Church - worships on Ninth street.
Presbyterianism - The first Presbyterian Church was organized March 26, 1871, Rev. A.G. Eagleson being its first pastor, continuing until March 23, 1872; Rev. F.Z. Rossiter served from that date until June 23, 1872. The present pastor, Rev. Samuel F. Bacon, began his labors October 19, 1879. In 1875, the property formerly owned by the First M.E. Society, corner of Church and Division streets, was purchased by the church. The church edifice and parsonage have since been improved, presenting a neat and tasty appearance. When first organized, the society contained fifteen members; now the membership is ninety. Its property is unencumbered, and the organization is one of the prominent societies of Oshkosh. The United Presbyterians hold services at the south end of May street.
Lutheran Churches - The German Evangelical Church (Trinity) was organized in 1856. In 1876, the present church edifice, school and parsonage were erected at a cost of $10,000. The society has a membership of 110, and the school an attendance of 100. Rev. J.L. Daib has been pastor for ten years. There is also a strong German Lutheran Church on the other side of the river, on Eighth street, and a large school in connection with it. The Danish Lutheran Church is on Bay street, near Otter.
In addition to the above are Evangelical, Reform, Evangelical and Union Societies, which are weak, but struggling.
