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Dorchester, Wis. Salem United Methodist Church
1882--1973
In the year of our Lord 1882, the Salem Evangelical congregation of
Dorchester was organized to forward the Kingdom of God. The organization
took place in a log school house located one block east of the present
church site the Rev. William Kolander serving as pastor. Charter members
were Mr. and Mrs. Herman Will, Mr. and Mrs. John Reimer, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob
Buzer, Mr. and Mrs. G. F. Schmidt, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Schmidt and George
Mueller. Officers elected were: G. F. Schmidt, class leader board of
trustees: John Reimer, president A. F. Schmidt, secretary G. F. Schmidt,
treasurer.
In 1883 logs were hauled to the mill and a church was constructed. The early
pastors were Rev. Charles Berg, C. W. Wilson, Otto Berofsky, Sam Erfmeyer
and G. H. Goetz.
Dorchester was then taken into the Marshfield Mission, and was served from
there. The ministers were A. Lutz, D. Schneider, A. W. Zillmer, F. Nehs,
Jacob Schmeller and John Marks. During the pastorate of Marks the Marshfield
Mission was divided, giving Dorchester a separate pastor.
An addition to the church to accommodate the Sunday School was built during
the pastorate of the next pastor, Rev. W. W. Kreuger. Following him were
Pastors G. L. Bursack, E. W. Marks, P. F. Walters, L. G. Thiel, James
LaCount, R. Browe, V. Miller and Rev. G. T. Vieth.
In 1946 the church united with the United Brethren in Christ Church and
became Evangelical United Brethren church. Upon retirement of Rev. Vieth,
whose son Reuben is a present member of the congregation, Rev. Harold Welch
became pastor in 1952. Rev. Sherman Bushendorf and Rev. L. L. McCormick were
the next pastors serving.
Over the years remodeling and many changes were made to the church,
including stained glass windows to add to the beauty of worship.
In 1966 all Evangelical United Brethren churches united with all Methodist
churches. The Dorchester church became the United Methodist Church.
Early pastors of the church resided in the Peace Parsonage, being rented
until 1936. That year the home of R. Krause, Jr. was purchased and served as
parsonage until 1945. In that year, during the pastorate of Rev. Miller the
present parsonage was purchased. Rev. Henry Bahrenburg is the present
pastor. Organizations of the church are the Sunday School, Youth Fellowship
and United Methodist Women.
Source: Historical Sketches of Dorchester, Wisconsin.
