Churches and houses of worship
Churches and houses or worship in and around Green Lake
Click on any image to view a detailed view of the card.
Methodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist Episcopal Church was originally built on land donated by the Sherwoods, on Hill Street. It was built entirely of oak from Mr Spaulding’s forest east of town and was completed in 1853. At the time it was the first house of worship in Marquette County. Anson Dart presented the bell for the church.
First Congregational Church
The First Congregational Church was completed in 1857 at a total cost of $1678. It was originally built on the corner of Mill & Scott Streets. This building would be used for at least 115 years. The stained glass windows were added in 1890 & 1900. Mr. & Mrs. Victor Lawson presented hymnals in 1904 and in 1905 donated $200 to the building of the parsonage across the street.
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church
The cornerstone for the Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church was laid on August 23, 1908 and was built at a cost of $2800 at the corner of Lake and Ruth Streets. The Church was dedicated in 1909. Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church was mission dependent on St. Patrick’s Church of Ripon until 1921, when it became an independent parish. A bungalow style rectory was built for religious instruction in 1951. The original building was paid off in 1956. In 1960 a new building that could hold 450 was started. The new building was dedicated June 4, 1961. The original steeple of the first church was saved and resides on a lot to the west of the new building on Ruth Street.
Peace Lutheran Church
In 1901 Reverend Adolph Hoyer organized the Lutheran Church in Dartford. The New Lutheran Organization was called Evangelical Lutheran Friedens Congregation, later called Peace Lutheran Church. Property was purchased on Lake Street not far from Oakwood resort. In 1951 it was decided to build a new church. The old church was dismantled in May of 1953. The new building was dedicated December 3, 1953.
Girl's Friendly Society Holiday House
The Girls Friendly Society, a ministry of the Episcopal Church, sponsored a summer camp for girls at the Holiday House on Spring Grove Road. Holiday House was located lakeside near the west end of Spring Grove Road, past the marina. The actual years of operation are not known, though the postcards we have are from the 1910s and 1920s. The Girls Friendly Society, founded in 1877, is still active. The Girl’s Friendly Society provides ministry to girls in a safe and accepting environment where Christ’s love is evident. GFS-USA is a community within the Episcopal Church and a member of the World Council of GFS.
For more images of the Girl’s Friendly Society Holiday House, check out the Group Camps page.
Green Lake Bible Institute, now the Pilgrim Center
The Green Lake Bible Institute was built on the site of an ancient Indian meeting place on Spring Grove Road. The first service was held at this site in 1901. Now known as the Pilgrim Center and under the auspice of the Congregational Church, it offers activities for children and adults of all faiths. A new chapel with a stunning lake view has been built at this location.
There will be a separate page dedicated to the Pilgrim center with many more images coming soon.
American Baptist Assembly now Green Lake Conference Center
In 1849 the Baptists had a small group of 12 members in and around Dartford. No church was ever built, and by 1860 the families had left the area. The Baptists that run the Green Lake Conference center have no connection to any of the original Green Lake Baptists.
Dr. Wayland Hoyt, then Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Minnesota suggested building the first Chapel car on a trip through Northern Minnesota in 1890. A total of 7 of these cars were built. The final car built was the #7 Grace Chapel Car. It was built in 1915 at a cost of $21,000. This car served the western United States until 1946, when it was moved to Green Lake Wisconsin. This car is located on the grounds of the Green Lake Conference Center.
