Middleton Community Church’s History
Our Church has a long history in the Middleton community.
1930s - ‘40s
In 1935, a group of people in the Middleton area organized a community Sunday School to meet the needs of Christians in Middleton who were neither Catholic nor Lutheran. The school met in the Village Hall. Shortly thereafter, the school hired a pastor and began holding worship services at the “Little White Church on the Hillside” (Aurora Street) in Middleton. In 1936, the Church officially organized as “Community Church.” Thirty-four people signed the covenant. A plaque with their names hangs on the wall in the current Heritage Room.
1950s
The 1930s and 1940s were decades of consistent growth for the congregation, so that by the 1950s, the Little White Church was too small to serve the needs of the congregation. In 1956, the Church constructed a new building on Elmwood Avenue east of downtown Middleton. That same year, the Chase family (members of the congregation) donated to the congregation an eight-acre lake resort property known as “Camp Balsams.” A popular destination for relaxing vacations and spiritual retreats by members and friends of the congregation to this day, Camp Balsams has four cottages on Bass Lake, a beautiful lake about five miles to the east of Eagle River, Wisconsin.
In 1962, stained glass windows were added in the sanctuary of the Church on Elmwood Avenue. When the Church moved to its current location, these windows were carefully removed and now adorn the education and office wing of our new building – a wonderful way to transition from one sacred space to another!
In 1968, Middleton Community Church voted to end its non-denominational status and join the United Church of Christ. (“UCC”). This was done so that the congregation could extend its reach in mission and ministry beyond the local to the global. The UCC culture was well matched to our Church’s historically inclusive and pioneering spirit. For example, women have been taking on official leadership roles in UCC congregations as far back as the 1850s and in the 1970s the UCC authorized the first openly LGBTQ person as an ordained Christian minister. Likewise, the UCC's congregational polity encouraged the inclusion of gifted lay leadership in worship services, which became standard practice at MCC.
1960s - 70s
1990s
The 1990’s saw a renewal of the congregation’s vision to reach out in mission and ministry to the surrounding community. The Church formed a Growth Committee in 1990 to look at issues of growth and ministry. This committee gave way to several others, leading eventually to the recommendation that Middleton Community Church build a new building at our current site on Old Sauk and Schewe Roads.
2000s
In 2003, the Church sold its building on Elmwood Avenue. Before the current church building was built, the congregation took up temporary residence at Middleton Alternative High School for regular Sunday worship.
On May 16, 2004, the Church held a groundbreaking ceremony for our current building. Almost exactly one year later, on May 15, 2005, the congregation held its first worship service in the new structure. The building was officially dedicated on September 11, 2005.
today
Today MCC is a warm, active, and growing congregation. Strong lay-leadership continues to be present and a renewed commitment to programming for members of every age has led to a thriving youth ministry. A new neighborhood has been built around the church since first moving in 2005, including an elementary school, food pantry farm, and several housing developments. MCC continues to be a community church eager to serve a burgeoning neighborhood.
Middleton Community Church continues to be a “church home for those who have no home,” attracting people from multiple Christian denominations and those with no prior church experience. Middleton Community Church has always been dedicated to “making a difference” through ministry and service to our community and our world. We also strive to help people grow in faith, and to connect the faith they profess to the lives they live.
For more information, please contact our church office at (608) 831-4694 or via email at mccucc@middletonucc.org