History of Calvary Tabernacle, Ashland, WI

In September of 1919, Rev. Joseph P. Rulien, from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, came to the Ashland area. He preached the message of water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ and the in-filling of the Holy Ghost from Acts 2:38. This doctrine was new to the area, and many people attended the services out of curiosity. Some people called this message "The New Light."

Services were held in the following homes before a building was secured, as follows:

    Gustav Hagstrom, in the Highland area

    Hans Jensen, Town of White River

    Archie Wilson, Sanborn Avenue

    Jacob Ledin, Fish Creek area west of Benoit (residence owned now by Joyce Hare and the late John Hare)

There was a small school house located at the bottom of White River Hill, which was used for a meeting place. Services were normally held on Sunday afternoon, and sometimes in the evening. The power of God was prevalent in these meetings, many believing the gospel message in Acts chapter 2. The first baptismal service was held at the Gustav Hagstrom residence, with eighteen people being baptized. A church was not yet established at this time.

In 1934, nine people were baptized in the White River. Many more came later. 

Pastor Rulien came to Ashland once or twice each year and held a series of meetings. As time went on, some of the first believers moved away from the area or returned to their former church affiliations. Some individuals thought it was only wild-fire, and would not last. 

In the 30's, Odin Olby purchased a small school building and moved it onto his land at the top of White River Hill. He was appointed Elder by Rev. Rulien, and the church was named "White River Jesus Name Mission." Services were also held in Superior, where the same Bible message was taught. From time to time, Rev. Ruilien would send evangelists to hold services, usually in the summertime. Some of them were: Rev. Marsh from Canada; Sis. Steinert, a missionary; Rev. and Sis. Bullock, missionaries to China, and Rev. Penrod. 

Later, a Sunday School was organized and was held on Sunday mornings. Regular services continued in the afternoon or evening, whichever was most convenient for everyone since most of the members were farmers.

In 1945, Rev Russell Walters, a graduate of Apostolic Bible Institute, St. Paul, MN, came to Ashland. Services were held in the homes of Elsie and Peter Wedlund, Leonard and Doris Becker, and Alfred and Evelyn Anderson. Rev. Walters expressed a desire to become pastor of the group. He was elected pastor and Calvary Tabernacle was formally established in 1948, becoming a Wisconsin religious corporation. The charter members included the families of the following: John and Jennie Hagstrom, Andrew and Hazel Anderson, Otto and Lorraine Hardt, Leonard and Doris Becker, Donald and Elaine Nicolson, and Garfield and Dorothy Nelson. 

In 1949, the Woodland School building was up for bids, in the Highland area, several miles from Ashland. Pledges came in, from 50 cents pledged by a child, up to $100.00. A bid was made fro $551.50, which was the highest bid by $1.50! Pastor Walters was informed that an architect from Iron River wanted the building for a Town Hall, and that if it went to Court, the Judge would rule in favor of that. Everyone prayed. Later, a woman called and said that she had a dream of angels all around her, telling her not to interfere with the church that wanted the building and that they were withdrawing their interest in the building. $100 was then spent to bring electricity into the building, and services were held there. 

In 1951, a small church building owned by the Nazarene Church in Ashland was purchased for $2,700. The school building was sold for $650, and the buyer used the lumber from it to build the Rainbow Motel near Ashland. 

In 1962, the church acquired its first parsonage at 308 5th Avenue East. In 1967, having outgrown the church building, the Nicaros Lutheran Church, built in the late 1800s and located at 220 9th Avenue West, was purchased. A year later, Calvary Tabernacle acquired the house next door and sold the former parsonage. 

In the late 1970s, Calvary Tabernacle started a new church in Park Falls, Wisconsin, and Rev. Myron Anderson, who had been ministering in our congregation under the direction of Pastor Carl Thurston, became its pastor.

In 1996, the parsonage was sold, and the church building was put up for sale. The former Salem Baptist church building was purchased at 623 2nd Avenue East, and remodeled. Services were held at the new location, with Rev Erik Johnson as pastor.

Detailed history to continue...

Today, we continue to preach the same message of Jesus Christ as on the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2), and the same message started here in Ashland in 1919.