Seventy-five years of ministry, music, and memories (See pictures below) was recently celebrated at the Viola Lake Christian &Missionary Alliance Church in Webster, Wisconsin. Families who attended the church over the years took part in a special commemorative service.
Viola Lake church was organized September 13, 1922. Pictures of those early days don’t seem to be available. “There were no cameras or money for film 75 years ago,” one of the members commented. (Anyone who may have old pictures of church events please notify the Church Mouse Chronicles.)
A horse barn became the first parsonage and doubled as a worship center until a church building was put up in 1925. That building burned on a cold and wintery day, December 28, 1946.
Sacrifice was a way for life for this pioneering church. They waited 9 1/2 years for the new church to be completed. A man who gave a donation of $1000 and that was the start of the new church building. It was dedicated on July 24, 1955.
In 1957 the old parsonage was condemned. Excavation for a new parsonage began in May, 1959. The pastor moved into the basement December 30, 1961 and onto the main floor February 12, 1962. The pastor was Louis Blanchard who later became a member of the Billy Graham Crusade team for 30 years. The parsonage was dedicated on October 21, 1962.
A missionary band was organized in 1922. The first recorded date of a young people’s organization was in January 1940.
Howard Adler talked about the influence that young people’s group played in the lives of his two sons, Mike and Dan. During their high school years the youth group had the reputation of being the largest youth group in Northwestern Wisconsin for the size of the church. There were 7 bona fide members of the church and 22 teen-agers in the Sunday school class and youth group.
These 22 teens formed a singing, guitar playing musical group call “Reflections.” They recorded an album in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their albums were literally sent all over the world. Both Dan and Mike Adler are in full time ministry today. Mike is the minister of music at a large Assembly of God Church. Dan was the minister of music at the Church of the Open Door in Minneapolis, Minnesota for 14 years. He has written over 100 songs and recorded 12 albums. He also sings in a Promise Keepers praise band.
“All of this started because of wonderful parents and a little church called Viola Lake Alliance Church,” Adler wrote in a letter to the congregation. “They had the vision for the kids and the freedom and the opportunity for them to grow.”
Another former member of the church, Dale Compeau recalled building the chimney of the church, placing every brick in place one at a time. Two of his daughters are also in full-time ministry. Compeau now attends the Shell Lake Alliance Church, which was started by the Viola Lake Alliance Church!
Lyn Sahr remembered the sacrifices made by the people of the church, his grandfather digging the well by hand, his grandmother putting money in the mission jar every week when money wasn’t plentiful, and everyone working together. He mentioned people picking up kids for Sunday school in rickety old cars. “They knew it made a difference,” Sahr said.
“I remember the saints of the church,” Sahr continued, saints who kept the church together because of their sacrifice, their efforts , and, he added, the prayers said at Wednesday night prayer meetings.
Some of those who spoke out at the commemorative service were in tears as they talked about their connection to the church over the years. Some of those memories go back 50 years, to weddings and other events. Memories came to the forefront of people’s minds as they gathered in recognition of 75 years of Christian teaching and fellowship.
Lyn Sahr hugs his grandmother, Ruby Flodin. She is 87 years old and has been a member of the church for over 60 years. “She has prayed for me every day of my life,” Sahr told the congregation.
Four pastors of the Viola Alliance Church. (L to R) Current pastor Tom Lindberg has been at the church since 1981. 
Pastor Jim Roberts was pastor from 1954 -1957. He then became a chaplain at Stillwater Prison in Stillwater, Minnesota. Pastor Bob Roberts was pastor between 1964 -1968 and is now retired. Pastor Lewis Blanchard was the pastor from 1960 -1964.
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