1870 -- A number of people banded together as Presbyterians in this city. It is said their first meeting was over the Magnolia Saloon on Washington Avenue. On November 1, 1870, the Reverend Alex G. Eagleton served as their pastor for two years.
April 25, 1871 -- At a meeting of the Winnebago Presbytery, the "Home Mission Committee recommended aid of $1,200 to Oshkosh," which was granted. In this same year, the Oshkosh church was taken under care of Presbytery as a "Home Mission Church."
October 14, 1872 -- First Presbyterian Church and Society of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, were incorporated according to the laws of Wisconsin. In October, the people voted to build a chapel on Jefferson Street. On December 17, services of worship were held in the finished chapel, which had cost $982.99, with the building fully paid except for a deficit of $5.99.
September 4, 1875 -- The Methodist Church building and parsonage on Church & Division Streets were exchanged for $6,000 and the chapel and lot on Jefferson Street. Mortgage was fully paid January 25, 1880.
1886 -- The United Presbyterian Church of about 60 members and their pastor, J. W. McNary, united with First Presbyterian. Rev. McNary served the merged churches until October 20, 1887.
January 7, 1893 -- Bids on the proposed new building were opened. The lowest bid was $22,800 by Bell & Gill, who received the contract.
January 9, 1893 -- Pledges of $11,000.42 were received. On January 18, it was voted to proceed with the erection of the new building. The plans of Mr. W. A. Holbrook of Milwaukee were accepted. The building committee was composed of Messrs. Morris Jones, Chairman; William Mainland, Treasurer; George Cameron, Secretary; A. M. Hale; and T. R. Morgan.
March 5, 1893 -- Holy Communion was celebrated in the old church (on this site) for the last time. The following Thursday it was -20° F when a group of ladies cleaned up the old Masonic Hall, later the YMCA Building, to be used as a place of worship during the construction of the new building.
March 9, 1893 -- Workmen began cutting stone for the new building. That same day a farmer donated a lot to the church, which was sold for $480, proceeds to the building fund.
March 12, 1893 -- The Sanctuary was beautifully decorated for the final service in the old building. Dismantling began the next day.
March 19, 1893 -- Worship services began in the YMCA Building.
June 25, 1893 -- At 5:00 PM, the cornerstone was laid. In it was placed a tin box containing the names of contributors, members, children in Sunday School, coins of the day, and a copy of the Daily Northwestern.
January 10, 1894 -- An $8,000 mortgage was placed on the new building for five years at 6.5%.
February 21, 1894 -- A committee was appointed to collect money for a pipe organ, cost not to exceed $2,500.
July 7, 1895 -- Pipe organ installed. It was built by Lancashire Marshall Organ Company of Moline, Illinois, and the cost was $2,500.
August 5, 1895 -- The new building was dedicated.
January 10, 1899 -- The mortgage was renewed for five years at 5%.
April, 1905 -- The mortgage of $8,000 was burned at the Annual Meeting.
1905 -- Property to the west of the church was purchased. The 15-room residence on it, built in 1855, was set aside as a Manse.
1906 -- Mr. William Mainland gave $35,000 for the new addition west of the Sanctuary. Two stories high, it served as a Sunday School assembly room and individual classrooms. Dedication took place December 2, 1906. In the basement were built four bowling alleys, a billiard room, and a reading room, later to become the dining room and kitchen.
1907 -- The Second Presbyterian Church, a branch of First, moved from Knapp Street to 13th and Ohio Streets.
1908 -- Plans were made to build a gymnasium 67 x 43 feet at the rear of the Manse lot, at a cost of $2,000 equipped.
1930s -- The gymnasium was removed in the 1930s. This building had served the church and community for many years. Two military companies of the Boys Brigade drilled regularly, and Oshkosh High used it for basketball games one year. That summer the church buildings were repaired or redecorated at a cost of $18,000. During the Great Depression, church indebtedness increased to about $8,000.
1931 -- The chapel at Bent Avenue was sold. The Manse was put in good condition and an entry to the church was made. It was then occupied by the Rev. James A. Daum and family until 1949.
1934 -- Salem Presbyterian Church (Welsh) on Light Street joined with our congregation on January 1.
1935 -- A house on Division Street next to the church was purchased and razed, its lot converted to a church park where picnics and ice cream socials were held.
1938 -- The mortgage was burned. Two members contributed $2,000 with the stipulation that the members would match it, and all bills were paid and a good balance remained.
October 24, 1943 -- The Golden Jubilee Service in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone.
1947 -- A lighted cross was placed atop our steeple. It was struck by lightning in 1970 and not replaced.
1948 -- Mrs. Henry Kimberly, Sr., donated money for the decorating of the Sanctuary walls and ceiling. Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Bell, in memory of their son Edwin, gave the new chancel, choir loft, organ and chimes, organ echo, the set of 38 carillons, and the Steinway concert grand piano. These gifts were dedicated December 5, 1948. It should be noted that the organ, being more than 50 years old, was in need of repairs estimated to cost at least $8,000. It was sold to Grace Lutheran Church for $300 in September, 1948. In 1990 they purchased a new organ, having used our old one for more than 50 years, and in turn they sold it to another church in 1992.
1949 -- The Manse and garage at 50 Church Street were razed and the lot used for parking. The church purchased the A. P. Thom residence at 450 Mt. Vernon Street for $14,000 for the minister and family.
1952 -- The Bulletin Board on the corner of Church and Division Streets was a memorial gift from Mrs. Nancy Wagenhals. Originally it was lighted with a spot placed in a nearby tree.
1954 -- A complete remodeling program was begun including the renovation of the interior of our buildings; a new, zoned heating system; new plumbing; new electric service with wiring and fixtures; a new roof over 2/3 of the building; and cleaning, painting, and waterproofing the brickwork. 5,300 square feet of useable floor space was added by constructing a second floor to the old assembly room, and by redoing the entire basement and adding a new entrance to the front vestibule. $75,000 was borrowed from Oshkosh Savings & Loan. When finished the cost was $150,000. The Dedication Service was June 13, 1954.
1954 -- Our building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
1960 -- The parking lot was blacktopped.
1967 -- Mortgage paid.
1970 -- The start of two Sunday services: 9:30 AM and 10:45 AM.
1974 -- The Manse was sold for $35,000 as the new minister preferred to build his own home. The money was put into bonds known as the Manse Investment Fund.
1980 -- The Capital Improvements Building Program was commenced. This involved work on the boilers, thermostats, storm windows, enviro. fans, new secretary's office, and the barrier-free access for wheel chairs.
July, 1983 -- The Rev. Paul Martin and the Rev. Thomas
Howells of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Frankston, Victoria, Australia,
exchanged pulpits for one year. The idea originated with Tom
Howells. The terms of the agreement included exchange of homes, cars, and
salaries. The only time the two families met was for three days when their
paths crossed in Honolulu. The Howells were extremely well liked and their
year with us was most pleasant. Each returned home in July, 1984.
Tom and Millie returned in September, 1993, for two weeks as guests of Eunice
Foster. A potluck supper on Sunday, September 26, gave us all a chance to
renew our friendship. Tom participated in the Communion service on October
3.
April, 2000 -- Worship2 begins.