Near Arkdale in Adams County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

West Church

Photographed By Keith L, October 26, 2007

1. West Church Marker

Inscription. In 1853, Norwegian immigrants to this area, organized the Norwegian Evangelical Church of Roche-a-Cri, in 1860. A log church was constructed one mile south of this location. It was destroyed by fire in 1866. A frame church was then erected on this site in 1868 but was destroyed by a cyclone in 1872.

With faith undaunted, a larger church was built on this site in 1875, known as the "West Church," it served as the congregation spiritual home for 53 years, until it was struck by lightning and burned to the ground on July 12, 1928.

In 1919, the "West Church" had joined with two other area Lutheran congregations to form a united parish called "Trinity Lutheran Church." In 1921, one of the church buildings was donated to Norwegian Lutherans forming a church in Adams. Following the West Church fire of 1928, the parish members consolidated at the remaining church building in Arkdale.

This plaque is erected in praise to God and in memory of the Saints who rest here.

Erected 1995 by the Trinity Lutheran Church Historical Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1887.

Location. 44° 1.47′ N, 89° 55.044′ W. Marker is near Arkdale, Wisconsin

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, in Adams County. Marker is at the intersection of 18th Avenue and Cumberland Avenue, on the left when traveling south on 18th Avenue. Marker is at West Arkdale Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arkdale WI 54613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lutheran Church of the Norwegian Synod (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of the First Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Roche-a-Cri (approx. one mile away); East Arkdale Cemetery (approx. 2 miles away); Roche-A-Cri State Park (approx. 5.1 miles away); Veterans Memorial / Cpl. Red Cloud Tribute (approx. 6.2 miles away); Monroe Cemetery (approx. 6.7 miles away); Soldiers Monument (approx. 7.9 miles away); Mrs. Salter Killed Here (approx. 10.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Arkdale.

Also see . . . Norske lutherske menigheter i Amerika, 1843-1916. If you can read Norwegian, this book by Olaf Morgan Norlie and Thore Olsen Tolo, published in 1918 contains a brief history of the Roche a Cree settlement churches in Adams County, Wisconsin. (Submitted on April 8, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Photographed By Keith L, October 26, 2007

2. West Church Marker

West Church 1875 image. Click for full size.

3. West Church 1875

From "Roche-a-Cree to Trinity : the history of Trinity Lutheran Church, Arkdale, Wisconsin, 1853-2003", Ronald K. Hanson. 2002.

Currently the home of Arkdale's Trinity Lutheran Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church

4. Currently the home of Arkdale's Trinity Lutheran Church

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,908 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 10, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on January 14, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 4. submitted on April 3, 2008, by Matt Gholson of Houston, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.