Events

"Kick Off" Sunday

September 12, 2010

Red Cross Blood Drive
Monday, September 27th     12:30-5:30
Presbyterian Church of West Salem

2010 Lamplighters

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Sermons

PDF Files of most recent sermons

About the Presbyterian Church of West Salem

Staff

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Session

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Committees

Buildings and Grounds Committee

Responsibilities:

1. Management and maintenance of the church’s property and equipment.
2. Communicate to the Session its recommendations regarding requests for the use of the church building and/or equipment by members and outside groups.

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Christian Education Committee

Responsibilities:

1. Plan for and develop programs of education for people of all ages in accordance with the requirements of the Book of Order. 
2. To provide for those supplies, equipment, space and materials necessary
   to provide an effective program of education in the church.
3. To recruit and provide for the training of teachers, assistants, helpers and whomever else is required for such programs. 
4. To plan learning and action opportunities in areas of current concern in the local and world communities.
   

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Finance Committee

Responsibilities:

1. In cooperation with the Memorial Secretary, the Church Treasurer and Financial Secretary, to assure the keeping and approval of accurate records of memorial gifts, tithes, offerings, and gifts received by the church.
2. To oversee the annual budget for the support of the local and general mission of the church.
3. Annually establish budgetary needs of carrying out the assigned duties of the committee.
4. To monitor committee expenditures so that they normally remain within approved budgetary guidelines and to advise Session of any extraordinary expenses.
5. To prepare and present recommendations concerning the management, use, and dispersal of the capital and/or invested funds of the congregation.

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Stewardship and Mission Committee

Responsibilities:  

1. To lead the congregation in its participation of the mission of the whole church in the world.
   
2. To plan and implement an annual program for the commitment of gifts and pledges by children, youth, and adults to the support of the congregational, Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly missions of the church.
3. To assure that the congregation is kept informed concerning the current support of local, national, and worldwide mission of the church.

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Membership and Evangelism Committee

Responsibilities:

1. To exercise the session’s responsibility for the care of members and increase of its numbers as described in the Book of Order.
2. In cooperation with the Pastor, to plan and implement an active program for the recruitment, training, and assimilation of new members into the fellowship and programs of the church.
3. As frequently as advisable, to plan and conduct, in cooperation with other appropriate committees, such events which are designed to enrich the spirit of fellowship in the congregation.
   

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Personal Committee

Responsibilities:

1. Care and concern of all personnel of the church.
   
2. Hold annual evaluations and review compensation.
   
3. Recommend appropriate policies and action including but not limited to employment and termination, to the Session.
   
4. Develop job descriptions for paid staff.
   
5. Take care of all misunderstandings between church members and any of the employees before they become grievances.
   

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Worship and Music

Responsibilities:

1. To exercise the Session’s responsibility in providing for the worship for the people of God as described in the Book of Order and the Directory for the Service of God.
2. To provide for those materials and supplies, as well as the maintenance of those furnishings necessary for the conduct of public worship.
3. To oversee the church’s ministry of music by providing for music staff persons,  proper maintenance of the organ and pianos and, with the Pastor, securing musicians for services during the absence of the choir and/or the organist.
4. To oversee, with other appropriate groups, all arrangements for the celebration of the sacraments, including but not limited to instruction for preparing and serving the Lord’s Supper, the care and cleaning of linens and serving ware, and assisting in the Sacrament of Baptism.
5. To encourage a broader knowledge of the meaning of worship in the Reformed tradition and to support the development of new expressions of worship under the guidance of the Directory for the Service of God.
   

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Deacons

Calling on the elderly and homebound members is probably our largest responsibility. 

Other responsibilities include:

1. Community service
2. Visitation of sick and homebound
3. Care of nursery during the worship hour
4. Communion service at Mulder Health Care Facility
5. Assist pastor in pastoral care
6. Hospital calls, nursing home calls and home communion
7. Assist with Sunday communion each month

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History

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS
 As we start 2007, the sesquicentennial year of our church, two of us “old timers”,  Alice Sprain and Bev Onsrud, are going to write a series of articles for the Lamplighter about the history of the church and our memories. Look for the picture display each month too. If you have any suggestions or stories for us, give us a call:  Alice 786-0152 or Bev  786-1149.

The Beginning

McEldowneys, McKinleys and Browns were some of the pioneer families who came to this area from Pennsylvania in the 1850’s. Most of them lived on farms near the new little village of Neshonoc by the La Crosse River.

When an itinerant preacher came to the area in 1852, Andrew McEldowney invited him to stay at his  house, and arranged for a prayer service the next Sunday. The little group was interested in forming a church, but it wasn’t until 1856 that the first recorded meetings were held in a building owned by James McKinley.

In 1857 C.C.Howland was hired to build them a church on land in Neshonoc donated by the town’s founder, Monroe Palmer. Hard times made it difficult to pay him and when the building neared completion in 1860 Mr. Howland said he would have to sell it to someone else if he wasn’t paid. William McEldowney, who was so poor he was going barefoot, took a load of ripe oats to La Crosse to sell for money to buy shoes for his family, instead, he brought the entire $40.00 to Mr. Howland who said that would tide him over for awhile and he wouldn’t sell the church. That saved the church, but William went home without any shoes or money.

On Jan.7, 1858 they organized under the name Associated Presbyterian Church of Neshonoc (UP Presbytery of Wis.) with 13 charter  members. We have 2 descendents of charter members in our church today. Julie Harris is the great great great granddaughter of Andrew McEldowney, and Jim Leicht is the great great grandson of Elizabeth Brown.

When the railroad was built through West Salem many homes and businesses moved from Neshonoc to West Salem and the Village of Neshonoc died while West Salem grew.

The Presbyterian congregation moved to West Salem in 1886 and rented the vacant Baptist Church (part of what used to be Christ Lutheran Church on Youlon Street).  Their little church in Neshonoc was one of the last buildings moved from Neshonoc.  The Norwegian Lutherans purchased it in 1887 for $229.25 and moved it to their present location where they used it until 1920 when it was torn down and their present structure was built.

In 1890 a new Presbyterian Church was built on the southeast corner of Mill and Hamilton Street for $5,000.00.  The church was dedicated debt free on November 27, 1890 and celebrated with a Thanksgiving Dinner served by the ladies.

The church grew and was added onto several times before the congregation finally outgrew it and plans were made to replace the 110 year building with a new one at a new location. The house on the lot where the church was to be built was moved to the NW corner of Mill and Franklin Streets and used as a Parsonage.  (The minister’s home.)  In 1891 a new parsonage was built a block from the church on the NE corner of Mill and Franklin Streets with money donated by William McEldowney.

Twelve families lived there beginning with Rollo Branch in 1891 and ending with Ward Patton  (1979-1985).  After Rev. Patton left, the congregation voted to sell the parsonage and give future ministers a housing allowance so that they could choose their own home.  The house was sold to Scott Perry in March, 1987 for $42,183.00.

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