Flambeau Mission Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Flambeau Mission Church
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 Location in Wisconsin
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Ladysmith, Wisconsin |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1884 |
| Built by | Thomas Orthman |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000113 |
| Added to NRHP | August 7, 1979 |
The Flambeau Mission Church (also known as St. Francis of Assisi Mission Church) is a very old and important church. It is located south of Ladysmith, Wisconsin, in the United States. This church was the first one built in Rusk County. It stands just below where the Chippewa River and Flambeau River meet. The church was built in 1882 to serve the French and Native American community known as Flambeau Farms. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This means it is a special building worth protecting.
A Busy River Area
In the late 1800s, the Flambeau and Chippewa rivers were very busy places. People used them to float logs downriver for lumber. This activity was called log-driving. White settlers started arriving around 1847. By 1864, a company called Daniel Shaw Lumber Company set up a farm nearby. This farm helped supply their logging work. Besides river traffic, a stagecoach line also stopped at Shaw's farm. This line connected Chippewa Falls to the logging areas.
The Chippewa Community
About a mile and a half to the east, a village of Chippewa Native Americans grew. This village was on the south bank of the river. Franciscan missionaries visited this community. Around 1881, they decided to build a simple mission church. It was built facing the river.
Building the Church
Local carpenter Thomas Orthman helped build the church. Other residents also worked on it. They were guided by Father Chrysostom Verwyst and Father Casimir. Behind the church, a small building was added for the priest to live in. In 1884, a two-story addition was built. This part was meant to be a monastery, but it was never used for that. The church's bell tower was added later, in 1903.
The Community's History
When the church was dedicated in 1881, about 70 members of the Chippewa community were confirmed there. This time was also the peak of pine logging in the area. The Flambeau settlement was a lively place. As logging slowed down, the community changed. Today, the Flambeau Mission Church is the only building left from that early logging community.
