Schedule of events
Schedule of events for Jordan Lutheran Church's 150th anniversary
Saturday:
1:30 p.m. Open house
2:15 p.m. Special music
3:45 p.m. Introduction of former pastors
4:30 p.m. "Memories of Jordan"
Sunday:
10 a.m. Commemorative service
12 p.m. Picnic and fellowship
1:15 p.m. Group photograph
1:30 p.m. Afternoon program
BROWNTOWN - On one of Green County's highest points, sits Jordan Lutheran Church, with its wood and rock walls, steeple and the distinction of being one of the oldest Lutheran churches in the state.
This weekend the congregation will celebrate the church's 150th anniversary. It's a time to look back at the church's history, but it's also a chance to appreciate how much the church still means to the congregation.
The congregation will celebrate Saturday and Sunday with special music, an historical program, a picnic and visits from several former pastors.
It's a place of worship, but it could also be a tribute to the early settlers of Green County. Surrounded by trees, some of them planted about 100 years ago, it's located along Smock Valley Road in Jordan township. As with many rural churches, there is a quiet cemetery behind the church. The grave of the first person buried there lists the year 1859, and the cemetery also holds the graves of six Civil War veterans who were buried there during the war.
It's a country church, church member Gary Luhman said.
Jordan Lutheran Church was organized in 1859 by 17 families who attended East Wiota Lutheran Church. Traveling to church on horseback or in a wagon proved difficult during the spring when the Pecatonica River would rise, Luhman said. The families decided it would be easier for them if they started their own church. For a while, the families held a worship service in a barn owned by Christopher Jackson, according to the church's official history.
On Dec. 21, 1859, the church formally organized.
The next year, land was purchased for $5 and the church building was constructed. Although it took several months to build the church, people gathered to worship before the building had either a roof or a floor.
There have been many changes and additions to the original church building. A steeple and bell were added in 1890; a chancel was added in 1910; six stained glass windows were installed in 1946; and a Sunday school addition was added in 1954.
Despite the changes, some things have remained constant. Decedents of Ole K. Gordee, Andrew Johnson and Christopher Jackson, charter members of the church, still attend services, Luhman said.
One other thing has remained the same. The church is still made up of families who care about each other, and, like their ancestors, come to the country church to worship.
This weekend the congregation will celebrate the church's 150th anniversary. It's a time to look back at the church's history, but it's also a chance to appreciate how much the church still means to the congregation.
The congregation will celebrate Saturday and Sunday with special music, an historical program, a picnic and visits from several former pastors.
It's a place of worship, but it could also be a tribute to the early settlers of Green County. Surrounded by trees, some of them planted about 100 years ago, it's located along Smock Valley Road in Jordan township. As with many rural churches, there is a quiet cemetery behind the church. The grave of the first person buried there lists the year 1859, and the cemetery also holds the graves of six Civil War veterans who were buried there during the war.
It's a country church, church member Gary Luhman said.
Jordan Lutheran Church was organized in 1859 by 17 families who attended East Wiota Lutheran Church. Traveling to church on horseback or in a wagon proved difficult during the spring when the Pecatonica River would rise, Luhman said. The families decided it would be easier for them if they started their own church. For a while, the families held a worship service in a barn owned by Christopher Jackson, according to the church's official history.
On Dec. 21, 1859, the church formally organized.
The next year, land was purchased for $5 and the church building was constructed. Although it took several months to build the church, people gathered to worship before the building had either a roof or a floor.
There have been many changes and additions to the original church building. A steeple and bell were added in 1890; a chancel was added in 1910; six stained glass windows were installed in 1946; and a Sunday school addition was added in 1954.
Despite the changes, some things have remained constant. Decedents of Ole K. Gordee, Andrew Johnson and Christopher Jackson, charter members of the church, still attend services, Luhman said.
One other thing has remained the same. The church is still made up of families who care about each other, and, like their ancestors, come to the country church to worship.