First Congregationalist Church

The first public religious services in Menasha were conducted by Congregationalist missionary, the Reverend O.P. Clinton in 1848. The church pictured above at Broad and Milwaukee Streets was built in 1866, largely sheparded by Elisha D. Smith, himself not a church-goer but who raised funds for it nevertheless to better the community.  In later years, after having had a religious awakening, he became so active that it was said he was "the man who built the church and then ran it." 

Special note:  You can see this church in the Menasha skyline in the stave yards photo featured in this blog on June 6th. 

This church was built on the same grounds in the 1920s to replace the original one.   The building to the right housed the clergy.