St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

W18995 1st Street – Aniwa

      Our Church family is a very caring welcoming group of people that are willing, and available for whatever needs to be accomplished in the Church. Please feel welcome to join us in sharing the love of Our Savior. 

It all began in the small village of Aniwa, an Ojibwa Indian name meaning “Those, Superiority or Tall Trees”, which was registered on the 13th of April 1882 at 2:00 p.m.

The pioneers started building up the village. In the year of 1890, Reverend Emil Stubenvoll, a missionary pastor, held services in homes. In the summer he walked from Birnamwood to Aniwa by the way of railroad tracks. In winter he drove by logging roads. The archives of the A.L.C. have recorded that Reverend Ludwig Schneider was ordained and installed in Aniwa on July 16, 1894. His effort resulted in the formation of St. Paul’ Lutheran Church in 1846. A plot of land was donated, and the church was built. In 1910 a terrible fire destroyed four blocks of the small town which included many buildings, including St. Paul’s Church. Three young men were able to save the upper part of the altar as well as the figure of Christ (which remains in the church to this day).

In 1965 St. Paul’s joined with Bethany Lutheran Church, from the town of Easton. During the years the two churches were joined, they shared many wonderful pastors, were involved in joint Lenten Services, many special dinners as well as confirmation classes and youth gatherings.

In its 125 years St Paul’s has been blessed with a number of willing caring people who have shared their talents and strengths in service to our Church, be it through cooking and baking for a number of our dinners, or serving on Council, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teachers, Confirmation teachers, Bible School Staff. Organists, Choir, church hotline, Quilters, Food Committee, Altar Guild, Sunshine Person, chairpersons for special events, lay readers, and communion assistants. Our latest volunteer job being representatives of our church on the TULP Advisory committee.

With the help of many volunteers, we have held a number of fund raisers over the years which included spring soup dinners, November venison stew dinners, wreath making, bake sales, and raffle drawings. These fund raisers were beneficial in keeping our doors open in times when we were struggling. In the present day our Church fund raiser has been our pizza sales, which we hold twice a year, November and May.

In August 2021 we celebrated the 125th anniversary of our Church. The day began with a special church service, including help from our Sunday School and confirmation students. A dinner followed with special messages from guest pastors from previous years. Many displays and pictures were on hand for reminiscing.

With Pastor Betty retiring, diminishing numbers of young people in the area, and the busy lives led by families on weekends, we weren’t sure how long we could keep our doors open. But for the Grace of God, In October we were privileged to become part of the TULP group. We are pleased to say the move went extremely smoothly. We are grateful to be part of such amazing group; we look forward to what the future holds for us now.

WORSHIP

     ~Services are held each Sunday at 8:30 am.

     ~Holy Communion is celebrated on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.

     ~In addition, there are special services on Christmas Eve, Lent, Holy Week, and Thanksgiving.

EDUCATION

     ~1st Communion classes are offered to those in 5th grade. The parents, the child, and the pastor decide readiness for 1st Communion. 

     ~Confirmation Ministry runs through the school year for those in 7th & 8th grade with Confirmation being held at the end of the school year.

     ~Vacation Bible School is usually held the first week of August for children ages 4-6^th grades. With encouraging youth volunteers grades 7-12 to attend.

ORGANIZATIONS

     ~We also have a quilting group that meets on Wednesday mornings April/May-November at 9:30 am. With quilts be giving to those in need.

 

COME AND JOIN US IN WORSHIPING, PRAISING, AND SERVING OUR GOD!