It was one of the first churches built in Western Wisconsin: 150 years ago, some of Jackson County's first settlers started planning for the building. Rumor has it, years later, one of America's most famous bank-robbers camped out in the balcony.

In today's Wandering Wisconsin, we're heading to the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Church a week before its big birthday celebration!

The church was built in 1857. There were 550 souls that came to this congregation at that time, so that's quite remarkable, now we're down to 125 so... It took in from Black River Falls to Whitehall, Pigeon Falls to south Beaver Creek. It took in a huge area.

It took them 10 years. 4 families came w/ nothing, but planned to go to mn, but came across this valley and thought too nice, we're going to stay here. After here a while, and were partially established in tents or caves, they decided they wanted a church. And they didn't have any money. All they had was the goods they carried with them in covered wagons. They were very much Christians, I'm happy to report. After working with in for 10 years, they bartered hay for lumber.

They raised this church, the huge timbers they raised with wooden sticks and the man that led them said the pastor said a prayer before they started... Up to steeple is 95 feet high. From the alter to the back door is 60 feet and the length is 45 feet. So, it's an enormous structure when you think about them doing it without any equipment like we have today. When I sit in our church, I marval at it.

Story is that Jesse James on his way back from Northfield MN, where he robbed a bank, he stopped in here at the church and he has holed up in our church in our belfry overnight and the story goes that he was in the area for about a week. There's initials up the belfry-- J.J. And that's Jesse James. We've had 50th anneversaries and 75th and 100th up until this one that's our 150th. And in each brochure there's mention of Jesse James and his initials and so that's how it came about... Folk lore.

When I first came here the glass was all clear and I sang in the choir andI I looked at those windows and some were really getting not so good and I thought wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have colored windows or a story on each window and lo and behold got busy at it and before you knew it we had 15,015 which covered every window. We even thought about cutting out a few more holes!

It has really spread its wings and our bible verse is "witnesses to the ends of the earth" and I really think that this congregation has done that over the years and I'm very proud to be a part of it.

We are going to have an exciting couple of days. Starting with the cemetary walk. We're portraying eight families.

"My name is Mylan W. Smith. I lived 92 years in Jackson co. I was born in Black River Falls and died in Taylor... Well I have to go for now, I just want to thank all of you for being here and have a good day!

We're looking forward to it. I think we're going to have a great day and we invite anyone who wants to come and join us, it'd be great.

Besides the cemetary walk on Aug. 18th, there's an 11:30 dinner, speakers and music. Also a 9:30 Sunday service on Aug. 19th, with music from the joint choir and a big birthday cake.
The Trempeleau Valley Church is located at west 16933 West Blair Street in Taylor.