Outagamie County WI Archives Church Records.....Organization
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 August 10, 2008, 11:24 pm

Organization.

INFORMAL efforts were made to institute and sustain some form of worship on
Sunday almost at the beginning of the settlement of Appleton, and, soon after,
Reverends Marsh and Robinson, from neighboring towns, having become assured of
the need of a church organization here, took the necessary initiatory steps
toward its formation.

    Service was held first in the law office of Frederick Packard, Esq., on
Sept. 1st, 1850, Rev. Mr. Robinson of Neenah officiating. These services were
continued, increasing in attendance and interest, until Dec. 18th, 1850, when
there was effected the organization of a church now known as the "First
Congregational Church of Appleton, Wis " It was organized as Presbyterian,
having for its Articles of Faith and Covenant the forms recommended by the
Presbyterian and Congregational Convention of Wisconsin, and for its government
the Presbyterian Book of Discipline. Rev. Jeremiah Porter, of Green Bay, Rev.
Hiram Freeman, of Oshkosh, and Rev. Chas. W. Munroe, a missionary of the A. H.
M. society, constituted the council. The organization was effected in a hall in
the second story of a building which then stood on the southeast corner of
Oneida and Market streets, nearly opposite the Public Library.

    The original members are shown in the historical table of members. After a
day of fasting and prayer, Frederick Packard and James Gilmore were elected
elders and deacons. The additions to the church in the year ensuing were largely
Congregational in their preferences, and by vote, Dec. 15th, 1851, the name and
polity were changed from Presbyterian to Congregational, and have since remained
such, giving its allegiance to the Wisconsin State Congregational convention.

    The legal organization under the laws of the State was accomplished Jan.
15th, 1852, under the name and title, "First Congregational Church and Society
of Appleton, Wisconsin."

    The communicants constitute the church, and the society includes members of
the church and congregation who contribute for six months to the maintenance of
worship. The church cares for the spiritual welfare of the congregation, and the
society for its temporal affairs.

    The annual meeting of the society is held not less than six days before the
13th of January, when three trustees are annually elected, who hold their office
three years. At this meeting provision is made to meet current expenses.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
APPLET0N, WIS.

PREPARED FOR THE
SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY, DEC. 18, 1900.
BY
J. F. FULLER, A. M., Compiler of the "Fuller" Genealogy.

1850—1900.
APPLETON PRINTING CO.,
APPLETON, WIS.


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