HOLY CROSS EPISCOPAL - 1858 to 1983

A few years after Wisconsin became the 30th state, and Newport was a thriving village of 1500 on the lower Dells of the Wisconsin River, St. John's Episcopal Church was established in Portage, Wisconsin. "A church without a church building, a prayer book or record, numbering 14 communicants, only three of whom were men". The Reverend Hugh Miller Thompson was "Priesting the Gospel of Jesus Christ", serving Portage, and with his knapsack on his back, and icicles in his beard conducted the first religious service held in Kilbourn in 1858.

The first service was held in the school house on the site which became St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Elm Street, Wisconsin Dells. The first Episcopal services were held in 1858, with Reverend Hugh Thompson officiating. Fr. Thompson was also serving Portage, Newport, and in whisker freezing weather drove Bishop Jackson Kemper by sleigh across the ice of the Wisconsin River to Newport and on to Baraboo, where another mission was established.

From 1860 to 1863 services were given by itinerant priests, riding the Milwaukee Road Railroad, and in 1867 the Diocesan Board placed Rev. George Vernor as railroad missionary conducting services on the first Sunday of the month at Kilbourn, and occasional weekday services. Kilbourn now had 1500 population as it was the largest hops market in the country. The mission was now formally organized as St. Paul's mission.

In 1870, Mary Greenly bought the school house of $1000 and gave the property to the church; Byron Kilbourn gave another adjoining lot. In 1873 St. Paul's was accepted into the diocese, and the church was consecrated in 1876. Early families included the John Jackson Browns, Charles Noyes, John Tanner, R. Herren and Thomas Coon.

The first resident priest was Rev. John Pedelupe, 1875-77. The church records 27 communicants, with Adam C. Dixson as Warden, and John Brown as Treasurer. Rev. Pedelupe had poor health, and was able to serve only occasionally, and the church suffered the loss of several families and was kept alive by the efforts of only a few people.

Church Revival and Growth (Late 19th - Early 20th Century)

The church today has current communicants who are descendants of one of the original church families.

I) Request Nellie Dixon and Her son, John Tanner Dixon please stand.

In 1896, Mr. Samuel Kerfoot, whose summer home was Dawn Manor (now on Lake Delton) was God's instrument in the revival of St. Paul's. He contributed and collected for the restoration of the church, and with the approval of Bishop Nicholson, the building was entirely restored and remodeled. Mr. Kerfoot gave two stained glass windows in memory of Julia Newbold Vibbert and Rev. James DeKoven, for whom DeKoven Foundation is named. The value of the church was now about $1500.00.

The Rev. Arthur Gorter took charge in 1897 with 13 confirmed persons, 7 communicants, with an average age of 58—No children, no young people, organist or choir. Services were first held to start the church at Lake Welton, on June 25, 1899.

On July 1, 1905, a lot was purchased in Lake Delton for $15.00. Ground was broken for the church by E. T. McCutchen, a future rector of both churches, and Milo B. Goodall, a stonemason, who later became a priest of the church.

Families whose names are in the church registers at this point were: Dixon, Ihde, Bennett, Huntington, Crandall, Gomon, Sarrington, Davis, Keyes, Wilbur, Mash.

II) Will any descendants of these families please stand.....

On July 22, 1904, Holy Cross Church at Delton was consecrated at services served by Bishop Nicholson. On the Fourth Sunday in Advent, December, 1907, Fr. McCutcheon was priested at St. Paul's. He would leave Kilbourn on the 9:00 A. M. train for services at Mauston, return at 3:00, drive to Delton for services at 4:00, and return to Kilbourn for evening services.

In the years 1910-1920, Lois and Phyllis Crandall organized a high school choir, which included Miriam and Ruth Bennett (Dyer) and Blanche Skirven Foster.

III) Mrs. Foster to stand and be recognized....

In 1921, Fr. William Wolfe served Mauston, Tomah and Delton as well as Kilbourn. A ladies guild was organized and Ruth Dyer was the first president. Members were Mrs. James Dixon, Mary Ihde Stone, Lulu Harrison (Ihde), and Blanche Foster.

Mid-20th Century: New Leadership and Ecumenical Journey

Fr. Wolfe served until 1929, when the diocese of Eau Claire was formed, and Mauston and Tomah were in that jurisdiction. It was established that the rector of St. John's, Portage, would serve St. Paul's and Holy Cross as well as Portage. The vicar was the Rev. Daniel Corrigan, who later became Suffragen Bishop of Colorado. Lake Delton also had an active ladies guild at this time, 1930, with some of the members: Laura Sarrington, Beth Lindsay, Norma Welch, Tess Ihde Sarrington, Gen Searie Sarrington, Clista Simons, Laura Simons, Cora Dehler, Louise Drinker, Kate Scott, Alta King, Amber Kaminski.

IV. The current living members of this group are Clista Simons, Kate Scott.

Fr. Donald C. Means served all three churches from Portage until 1935, when the priest at Baraboo took over serving Lake Delton. Fr. George Schiffmayer served Holy Cross and Trinity, Baraboo until 1956. Under his very active ministry, Iness and Stewart Thompson and Harold and Honey Retzlaff joined our church, as well as the Martin and Kerwin children in our Sunday school. Holy Cross had only lay readers for two years after 1956, until Fr. Andrew Laabs became resident vicar, succeeded by Fr. Kenneth Martin.

V) We should here like to recognize children of the above named members who were Sunday School pupils in the 1930's and are currently still active members:

  • Laura Mae Sarrington Scott

  • Erma Simons Murray

  • Jack Scott and Dorothy Dehler

  • Marilyn Foster Severson

  • Cathy Foster Borscher

  • Mary Louise Drinker

  • Colleen and Mimi Kerwin Berning

  • Colleen and Sharon Martin Gavinski

  • Marilyn Retzlaff Thompson

  • Susie Foster Willard

  • Ken Foster

  • Jean Bennett Dyer

  • Joan Charlesworth Patterson

Bishop Halleck now announced St. Paul's, Wisconsin Dells, and Holy Cross, Lake Delton were to combine into one congregation. We met for 6 months at one church and six months at the other, with Fr. Donald Radtke officiating. At this point, we decided to build a new church. We purchased a site which was between the Dells and Delton and hired an architect who presented sketches of the proposed church. Jack Coolidge, Ken Stevens, Stewart Thompson, Jean Reese and Erma Murray, Doug Scott were active on this committee.

By the time Fr. David With became our vicar in 1970, we were moving toward a unique ecumenical adventure. Pastor Al Briggs was minister for the United Methodist churches, who were also combining Dells-Delton churches. The four congregations, after numerous conferences, decided to move all four congregations into one building, and the site here on Unity Drive and Country Trunk A was purchased.

The New Church and Continuing Growth (1970s - 1983)

This building was done by forming a non-profit corporation and each congregation owning one half of the stock. The corporation owns and operates the building, and one half the expenses are paid by each congregation. We adopted the name Holy Cross Episcopal Church, and the address Wisconsin Dells, and the United Methodists operate under that name. The church was dedicated September 13, 1972.

We have been most fortunate to have many wonderfully dedicated families and individuals join and help us progress toward a self sustaining status in our parish.

VI) We recognize here the Names:

  • George Dixon

  • Dunns

  • Gander

  • Griffin

  • Lange

  • Lentz

  • Sobojinski

  • Vangor-Wolfe

  • Voss

  • McIntyre

  • Drennan

  • Drew

  • Walsh

  • Waterman

  • Whipp

  • Jones

  • Manley

  • Lukasavage

  • Welch

Our growth has nearly tripled since we began this joint venture. We have also been active in the Dells Ecumenical church services, summer ministry and Bible vacation school. We adopted the new prayer book which superseded the 1928 prayer book and started new services as soon as they were available. Holy Cross has also been foremost in using women acolytes and chalice bearers.

The last event in our old churches was the wedding of Holly Severson and Les Pennington at St. Paul's, in 1970 and Donna Murray and Greg Georgeson at Holy Cross in 1971. The first event in our new church was the wedding of Linda Hattle and Doug Scott in 1972.

Fr. Bryce Hunt was called in 1975 to be our first resident vicar, and he was also director of the diocesan summer camp at Wautoma—Camp Webb. At our last report to the diocese we indicate 33 families, 19 individuals and 117 baptized persons in our congregation. Our attendance on Easter Day, 1983, was 100.

VII) At this time we would like to recognize the dedication and services of all of our people, including returning guests who were former members. As we indicate the type of services, will you please stand:

  • Church School Teachers

  • Acolytes

  • Organists

  • Altar Guild

  • Choir of Cousins

  • Vestry

  • Ladies Guild

  • Wardens, Secretaries, Treasurer

  • Diocesan Committees

  • Dells Delton Church Bldg. members

  • Lay Readers

  • Youth Groups

Looking to the Future and Generations of Faith

We feel we have kept the faith, and "Priested the Gospel of Jesus Christ" throughout our 125 years. We owe heartfelt thanks and admiration to those who walked this path before us, and who made it possible for us to come into the family of Holy Cross by having the church and its ministries available for us.

As we proceed toward the 21st century, we now want to give special recognition to our little communicants, Church School pupils, young people all serving in their capacities. Interestingly, we would note here some sixth, fifth, fourth and third generation children, descendants of the people listed throughout this history.

VIII - Sixth Generation:

  • Aaron, Benjamin and Sara Scott (Sarrington and Scott)

  • Jill and Scott Loomis (Sarrington)

Fifth Generation:

  • Jennifer, Sarah and Joel Pennington (Foster)

Fourth Generation:

  • Russell and Greg Edgington (Harrison - Ihde)

  • Lori, Michelle and Melanie Foster

  • Heather and Matthew Georgeson (Murray-Simons)

  • Collin McAllister (Murray-Simons)

  • Kirk, Mark and Laura Moore (Drinker)

  • Surette Willard (Foster)

  • Katy and William Smith (Kerwin)

  • Toni and Tracy Reinbolt (Retzlaff-Thompson)

Third Generation:

  • Jennifer and Amy Gavinski (Martin)

  • James Stevens

We are gradually passing the faith to our young Christians, with the sincere prayer that they may continue in the fellowship of Christ, spread news of His kingdom in our area, and with the help of the Holy Spirit keep Holy Cross alive forever....

Blessing * Fr. Hunt