Wesley United Methodist Church began as a German Methodist congregation in 1872. Our earliest beginnings saw a membership of 87 meeting in a sanctuary built for $960. Wesley's wonderfully spirited "German Pietism" was evident in yearly "Camp Meeting" celebrations held at Marathon Park. In 1900, the church moved to a downtown location at the corners of 6th and Jefferson streets.
Under the twenty-five year ministry of Rev. Henry Stahmer, the church enjoyed significant growth and became known throughout Wausau by Rev. Stahmer's moniker "sign off" to his radio broadcast, "You go to your church and I'll go to mine, but let's walk the road together."
1956 the church made the provocative move to relocate on a high hill in a relatively unoccupied area of town overlooking Marathon Park. The congregation size was about 414 strong. At the 100th Anniversary Celebration in 1972 a new pipe organ, designed by the Wicks Company, was dedicated.
In recent years through strong pastoral leadership, growing numbers of midweek programs, various Bible studies and fellowship groups, Wesley United Methodist Church has experienced significant growth. Indeed with many young families and scores of children involved we have been "busting at the seams" and in need of more educational, music and activity space. In 1995, after years of careful planning and preparation, Wesley embarked on a financial campaign to raise the funds necessary to expand our facilities. The expansion, now complete, provides many opportunities for ministry and continued growth.
As in the past, however, our real strength as a congregation lies not in building or permanent fixtures, but in our growing discipleship; our passion for the Good News of Jesus Christ and God's love for all people, our mission outreach to the Wausau community and beyond, our delight in worship, our warmth in fellowship and our joy of following Christ through study, learning and programs of many kinds. This is the heartbeat of Wesley life!
And so we pray that you will come and share our spirit at Wesley Church, the very Spirit of the Living God! For this is the Spirit that has helped us to be known as "The Friendly Church On The Hill."
