Heart Prairie Lutheran Church

["The Norwegians and Their Church" A history of the Heart Prairie Lutheran Church, Whitewater, Wisconsin, Larry F. Froemming, 1975 (Author of book wrote this article.)]

Heart Prairie Lutheran Church

Situated in the bluffs of the Kettle Moraine overlooking Whitewater lake, Wisconsin, stands a little brick church surrounded by a pioneer cemetery. For over 150 years this early Wisconsin Norwegian Lutheran Church has attracted people because of its beautiful simplicity and its historic preservation.

The Heart Prairie Lutheran congregation was organized in December, 1844, by the second Norwegian Lutheran minister in America, C.L. Clausen (who was a Dane). Services were held under trees, in log cabins, and a school house until about 1855. The log cabin has been renovated and sits on the campus of the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. The Norwegian pioneers began hauling brick by oxcart from brickyards in Whitewater to build the present church in 1855. The building may not have been completed until 1857. About this time the congregation joined with congregations at Whitewater, Skoponong (Palmyra) and Sugar Creek to call the same Lutheran pastor. This practice continued for many decades.

During the latter 1800's the congregation grew to well over 100 members, a large church for a country church of those years. The church had no organ until 1880. Until that time, the klokker, a sexton and parish clerk led the hymns and some prayers from the front of the church. After 1880 an organist pumped a reed pump organ that led the congregational hymns. The pastor's salary in 1891 was $139.50 plus bails of oats and hay for his horse. Norwegian was used in the church until 1902. It was only then that English was introduced into the services. English was not used exclusively until 1920. The church was heated by a wood burning stove, and the steeple called people to worship with its large bell. During the early 1900s membership began declining due to families moving out of the Heart Prairie area. Finally in 1948, because of lack of members, the church merged with First English Lutheran Church of Whitewater.

The church has become famous for its historical, architectural and religious features. Because of this it is included on the National Registry of Historic Places. Historically this church may be the oldest Norwegian Lutheran Church in America still being used in its original state. The hand hewn pews made in 1855 still grace the sanctuary. A person can step into this little church and take a trip back into the pioneer era of Wisconsin, an era of reed pump organs, oil lamps, and simple decor. The cemetery has about 114 graves, many of which were children. Architecturally the church is a fine lasting example of pioneer building. Brick was used not only to build walls, but also to supply ornamental and decorative details. The church, which is still used for many services including Oil Lamp services, is located on Townline Road, south of Whitewater, Wisconsin 53511, on Whitewater Lake.