Saving the prairie churches

Last summer PBS had a program and DVD available about the saving of prairie churches. The people involved in the video were trying to maintain these churches and other buildings because of their history and memories connected to the local people.

In Edson, there is a prairie church, the former Sacred Heart of Jesus, founded by the Rev. Charles Francis Xavier Goldsmith, one of the early missionary priests in the northern Wisconsin area. The church and its property have been given to the Institute of St. Joseph, a public association of the faithful in the Diocese of La Crosse, to restore for use as a monastery and church.

We need your help. Many donations have already been received to replace roofs and insulate, but there is much more work to accomplish before the project can be completed and building codes met.

The small community does not have the money for hiring contractors, so it relies heavily on volunteers and donations. In order to save this beautiful prairie church, donations and volunteers are needed.

This church dates back to the 1860s, and the local people are very happy that it will not be torn down or sold. They want to see their little church remain. It would be very rewarding to help restore the church and other buildings.

If you can help save this Prairie church, send donations to: Institute of St. Joseph/Prairie Church, 11386 Highway Q, Chippewa Falls WI 54729; contact us at 715-288-6272; or email prairiechurch@hotmail.com

Robert J. Gwidt,
Weston

Wausau Herald