THE WAUPACA REPUBLICAN

May 12, 1905

 

THE HOLY GHOST CHURCH

 

            Sunday May 6, 1905 marks a third important epoch in the Danish Evangelical Holy Ghost Congregation of Waupaca.  The first when the church was organized in 1871; second, when the corner stone was laid and a church building was erected in 1872-1873 and third, the laying of the corner stone for the new church, which building will providence permitting, be dedicated to God in the year of our Lord 1905, not later than August or September.  Rev. Jersild of Neenah, pastor of the Danish Lutheran church of Oconto, was present and assisted Rev. L. P. Simonsen the local pastor in the morning services at the old house of worship and in the laying of the corner stone services in the afternoon.

            The day was bright and warm except in the afternoon when it was rather windy and a shower threatened but held off until the services were over.

            The joist being all laid and temporarily floored.  The ministers and the choir with an organ, occupied a position close to the south west corner of the building where the corner stone was ready and concealed under a white spread.

            The choir opened with a hymn.  Rev. Simonsen offered prayer.  Another hymn was sung by the choir and congregation.  Rev. Simonsen read a passage of scripture and then Rev. Jersild delivered an address or dedicatory sermon.  Being in the Danish language we could not judge only from the fact that the closest attention was paid the fervent words which we know must have sank deeply in the hearts and minds of members of the congregation.  At the close of Rev. Jersild’s sermon there was singing by the choir and then Rev. Simonsen pointed to the old and new boxes that were to be sealed next to the corner stone, read a description of the articles as published last week.  When through the contents were closed within their boxes, blessed and placed in their final resting place, the cloth in the meantime disclosing a beautiful granite slab.  Rev. Simonsen said Alton Ripley donated the stone from the Waupaca quarry north of the city and Supt. Thomas Davidson donated his work of polishing and lettering.  The following is the inscription, the letters being highly polished and raised by stippling on all portions of the face of the stone not lettered:

18 – Den – 71

Danite en. Luth.

Selligaands

19 – Kirte. – 05

            It is a block of granite nearly three feet square and makes a very attractive addition to the masonry in the foundation corner.  A fine lot of extra made mortar was already prepared.  Rev. Jersild took the trowel and with a portion of the cement in place offered a blessing and then handed the trowel to Chris Mortsensen who sealed the contents in place, during which time the choir and congregation rendered an appropriate hymn.

            The ceremonies closed with benediction.

 

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Two or three minor mistakes were made last week in the historical write-up of the Holy Ghost Church but proper corrections were made in the copy placed in the corner stone.

 

Note:  Per gentleman from Danish Immigrant Museum 08/25/2001:

 

Writing was spelled incorrectly, and should be:

 

18 – Den - 71             

   Danske Ev. Luth. 

                        Helligaards

                        Kirke