First Presbyterian Church of Waunakee

Jul. 16, 1877	First Presbyterian Society of Waunakee established Jacob Buhlman - one of the founding members of the "First Presbyterian Society" of Waunakee - was also a leading citizen in the village. He and his brother, Fred, owned the first business in Waunakee - a dry goods store on Main Street that opened in 1871.
Feb. 17, 1878	Formal organization of FPSW in Gussman’s Hall (carpentry shop located where Koltes Hardware now stands). Rev. B.G. Riley of Lodi is first moderator.
May 6, 1878	Mortgage loan in the amount of $500 secured for purpose of building a church
May 16, 1878	Date on original mortgage document This photo shows the First Presbyterian Church on Fish Street around the year 1900. The church itself was originally built in 1878, with a loan of $500.
Aug. 11, 1878	First sacrament of communion administered in new church Jacob Buhlman (one of the founders) installed as elder and first clerk of session
May 10, 1879	First new member received (Ms. Harriet Clarke)
Aug. 16, 1879	Mr. Daniel Salisbury becomes second new member
Nov. 10, 1881	Rev. Riley completes his duties as moderator. He is succeeded by Rev. J.W. Marcussons.
Oct. 1, 1892	Mr. Barry Thomas begins missionary work at the church. He presides over Sunday school and one weekly service.
Sep. 21, 1899	The FPSW Ladies’ Missionary Society is established. Mrs. Willard Hodge is first president.
1900(?)	The first sidewalks in Waunakee were laid between the Presbyterian church and the Riley home on South street. The $75 cost for the wooden walks was paid by the Presbyterian Ladies’ Missionary Society.
Oct. 1, 1902	Church services suspended due to “poor attendance.” Sunday school continues.
Jan. 20, 1903	Church services resume.
Nov. 1904	Rev. George Hunt becomes acting pastor. He does double duty at Christ Presbyterian in Madison and arrives every Sunday by train.
The 1920s	Church records lost for most of this decade. Later efforts are made to “reconstruct” key events from this time period.
Feb. 27, 1938	60th anniversary of FPCW is observed.
Jul. 18, 1944	A mortgage burning is held after church member C. J. Schmidt pays off the original note. On July 18, 1944, First Presbyterian Church member C.J. Schmidt ceremonially burned the original $500 mortgage for the Fish Street church.
1952	A basement is added to the original church building. This allows for a kitchen, a dining room, restrooms and a furnace room.
1952(?)	Youth Fellowship program began around this time.
1961-1962	Extensive remodeling is done on the church, including replacement of original pews. Name is formally changed to “First United Presbyterian Church”
Fall, 1968	Christian Education addition built on to the original church, which included six classrooms, a pastor’s study, restrooms and a Fellowship Hall. This photo shows the Christian Education wing of the Fish Street church, which was completed in 1969.
Aug. 1971	Ecumenical service involving FUPC and St. John’s held as part of Waunakee Centennial celebration. This marked the beginning of the Waunakee Ecumenical Council.
1973	Church roof replaced The little white church on Fish Street in Waunakee was the heart of the First Presbyterian congregation for more than 100 years.
Early 1975	Electric carillon installed in church
Apr. 1975	Congregation decides to study the possibility of a full-time pastor. A mission study was formed under the Madison Presbytery during the fall and winter of 1975-1976, which ultimately recommends the church pursue a full-time pastor.
Dec. 1, 1977	Rev. Stephen Minnema becomes FUPC’s first full-time pastor.
Dec. 31, 1977	Membership reaches 144
Apr. 1978	The “Connector” is born!
Fall, 1979	FUPC begins holding two Sunday morning services
Oct. 1982	A commemorative quilt was made for the John Knox Presbytery, with most of the sewing done by women of FUPC.
Jun., 1983	Long-divided Presbyterian denomination reunites, and we drop the word “United” from our name to become First Presbyterian Church of Waunakee. The small sanctuary of the Fish Street church served our needs for many years. But as Waunakee grew, so did the congregation, and it became clear that a new church was needed.
Late 1983	Linda Kuhn succeeds Rev. Minnema to become first female pastor of FPCW.
Oct. 1990	Rev. Kirk Morledge, a Madison native, is hired as new pastor at FPCW.
Sep. 1991	Congregation votes to purchase land for a new church building. A campaign is begun to raise the necessary funds. The First Presbyterian "Building for the Vision" Committee unveiled the design of our new church home in 1991.
Feb. 1992	FPCW hires its first paid Youth Director, Scott Kirk
Aug. 30, 1992	Dedication of site for new church building
Jul. 8, 1993	Original church sold to Concordia Lutheran Church
Aug. 10, 1993	Ground-breaking held for new church building. In August of 1993, a groundbreaking ceremony for the new church building was held, featuring both the youngest and the oldest members of our congregation.
Mar. 6, 1994	First worship service held in new church In March of 1994, the new church building was complete and ready to serve as the new home for Waunakee's Presbyterians.
Jun. 5, 1994	First wedding held in new church as Pastor Kirk is married to Faith Miller.
Dec. 1995	First “Live Nativity” conducted outside the new church.
Sep. 8, 1996	Congregational meeting results in creation of Deacons. Six deacons ordained in January of 1997.
Nov. 1999	Norm Parsons begins service as first Associate Pastor of FPCW.
Dec. 2001	Following September 11 attacks, Pastor Kirk is deployed for active duty as Reserve Navy Chaplain in Rota, Spain.
Sep. 2002	Pastor Kirk returns to FPCW
Dec. 31, 2002	Membership at FPCW reaches 498
Feb. 2003	FPCW celebrates its 125th anniversary
Oct. 12, 2003	Congregation votes unanimously to proceed with an additional building phase to expand the church.
Dec. 5, 2004	A ground-breaking ceremony for the new expansion is held
Mar. 12, 2006	Dedication service held for new wing of FPCW. Church membership surpasses 600