PLEASE HELP US SAVE THIS HISTORICAL LANDMARK

110 years of history

PLEASE HELP US SAVE THIS ICONIC PLACE OF WORSHIP AND HISTORICAL LANDMARK KNOWN AS THE ESTONIAN EVANGELICAL MARTIN LUTHER CHURCH.

It has survived 110 years of inclement weather, the storms of time, occasional abandonment but fully reinstated as a religious organization and historical landmark in 1993. But in the last five years, it has become the target of theft, vandalism, and property destruction totaling some $10,000 dollars in losses of restoration materials and equipment.

The church, a 501 3C organization, is seeking help in the form of financial contribution to install a foolproof digital security system, an entrance gate, and replace at least some of the essential materials meant for restoration which were stolen or physically destroyed by vandals and unscrupulous and hateful individuals.

For example: a beautiful self-contained 34 FT camping trailer was moved to the church grounds to accommodate volunteer workers or visitors seeking historical information was totally destroyed leaving it in unrepairable condition. In the church itself, vintage windows, and church pews were destroyed beyond repair, not to mention a 3x2 ft custom made marble cross ripped off the wall and stolen. While all has been reported to the Lincoln County sheriff’s department, added patrols and investigations have thus far been without results.

Brief History. In the mid and late 1800s, Estonians and Latvians migrated to the Gleason Wi area as it so much resembled the terrain of their homeland. At various times the Estonian Evangelical church of Canada and Sweden provided religious services there but left the church and adjacent cemetery abandoned in the late 1950’s. As the Baltic population began to dwindle, the details of history since then would fill enough pages of a book.

Its pastoral location and charm to this date continue to bring thousands of visitors from across the country, with many claims that it has a tranquil and spiritual effect on them.

PLEASE HELP US SECURE AND MAINTAIN THIS UNIQUE PLACE OF WORSHIP AND HISTORICAL SITE.

Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated and put to good use for Materials and Labor to restore this wonderful old building.