ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (LA CROSSE WIS.). RECORDS, 1887-1941. 1 reel of 35 mm microfilm

Abstract

Records of what is now called Asbury United Methodist Church, 1887-1941, of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Asbury was formed in 1945 as the result of a merger of the Salzer, First, and West Avenue Methodist congregations. These records are from the Colman Methodist Episcopal Church, organized Oct. 18, 1887, and renamed West Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church in 1894.

The church records include members (official and probationers), 1887-ca. 1921; baptisms, 1887-1941; marriages, ca. 1887-1934; and burials, 1887-1921.

All records were written in the English language.

Acc. No. 1997-23

Purchased by the Archives with gift funds from the Genealogical Society of Utah with permission of Dr. Larry Moody, Pastor, Oct. 1997; originals filmed in July 1981; GSU control number 1306452.

Finding aid written by Anita Taylor Doering, Dec. 1997.

History

Asbury Methodist congregation was officially organized in June 1946. The congregations of the Salzer Memorial Church, First Methodist Church, and the West Avenue Methodist Church were combined into two groups after a fire destroyed the Salzer church and a need for a church in the southern section of South Side La Crosse was apparent. The First Methodist Church became Wesley Methodist while most the West Avenue and Salzer congregations became the Asbury congregation. Ground was broken for the Asbury United Methodist Church at 19th and Redfield Streets in September of 1947. The cornerstone for the church at 1818 Redfield St. was laid on May 17, 1948. While construction of the new church was taking place, services were held in the Longfellow School auditorium. On November 21, 1948, the first services were held in the new church.

The church is built in Gothic style and is finished in light-colored brick with Bedford stone trim. The seating capacity of the church is 329 persons and there is also a balcony. Other features of the church are a sanctuary, a chapel, church parlor, dining room, kitchen and educational wind. Remodeling and an addition of the church started in July 1963. Two above-ground floors and a basement partially underground were erected adjacent to and west of the existing structure. The kitchen was remodeled and addition were made to the classrooms, a pastor's study, church school office, choir rehearsal, storage room, nursery and a crib room. In March 1964 the consecration of a new three-level Christian education building was held.

Scope and Content

These records are from the Colman Methodist Episcopal Church, organized Oct. 18, 1887, and renamed West Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church in 1894. The church records include members (official and probationers), 1887-ca. 1921; baptisms, 1887-1941; marriages, ca. 1887-1934; and burials, 1887-1921. All records were written in the English language.

Originally there were three churches on this reel of microfilm. For patron ease, these have been spliced apart. As a result, this reel starts with item 2 instead of being labelled item 1. If the original volume had pagination (page numbers), then these are included in the reel list below.