FLORENCE, Wis. –The First Presbyterian Church in Florence, Wis., will have a dedication service and open house Sunday to celebrate its recent renovation.

The congregation invites everyone to join in a special worship and dedication service at 11 a.m. First Presbyterian’s interim pastor, the Rev. Lisa Ubbelohde, will lead the service with former pastor Douglas Johnson. There will be no 8 a.m. service.

An open house with refreshments and tours of the church will be 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Early in 1881, the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church in Florence decided to build a church on their property at Norway Street and Lake Avenue. Historical notes mention carpenters were working by Feb. 5, using plans drawn by George Baird, with the frame in place by March 5 and the bell tower soared upward by April 2. Painting began on April 30 and on May 18, 1881, an 800-pound bell was hung in the belfry. This was the first church in the area, and although it has been renovated from time to time, the original charm of the early church was retained. A problem has existed, however, with steps into the sanctuary and to Fellowship Hall; even the entrance had a few steps.

In recent years, the congregation considered the need to provide accessibility for all to their 140-year-old building, but financing such a project was a concern. Then in 2017, the church was blessed with a generous bequest from the estate of a lifelong member, Melba N. Novak. A building committee was formed and planning with Mountain Engineering of Kingsford began in April, 2018. A congregational meeting Sept. 19, 2019, authorized a contract with MBM Construction of Kingsford and on Oct. 7, 2019, a groundbreaking ceremony took place on the building site just east of the existing church. Throughout the ensuing months, with the assistance of project director Dennis Christian, the accessible addition and renovations to the kitchen and Fellowship Hall became a reality. Memorial funds from other families have provided an asphalt parking lot leading to the new entrance and some new furnishings and décor.