Segment V of Centennial History Manual
Four times during her one hundred years, has our church, with the rest of the nation, been swept by the disaster of war.
We can find no record of how the church was affected by the war with Spain in 1898. We know, however, that she was profoundly affected by the Civil War. Rev. Clapp says in the 40th Anniversary book, "Twenty-eight young men, attendants at our worship, went into the army. Augustus Mower, the first in this town, who enlisted, was brought up in our Sunday School, Edward Barber, a representative of our Sunday School and church, and of Beloit College, these with several others, went and did not return. Sorrow upon sorrow came to us with their loss. For those who nobly passed through the hardships and, conflicts, and lived to return, we gave thanks; and we rejoiced with unspeakable joy in the victory of the nation, and in the downfall of slavery and rebellion."
In the 50th Anniversary volume, Edwin Robbins says, "We of this company who first went out, of the three months men, we all know that all were in part carried away by the drum and glitter, but it was something more than the drum and glitter that led to re-enlistment and faithful service." Rev. H. H. Benson, in the same book, says, "I was with them, I was at Atlanta, I was on that march to the sea. I was chaplain." Unfortunately, there is no known list of these twenty-eight who went from the church, nor of those who gave their lives. In Mrs. Emma Clapp Watner's "Reminiscences of Early Wauwatosa," a complete list of "Volunteers in the War of Rebellion" is listed. Here we find familiar names: Warren, Wheeler, Potter, Wesson, Maynard, Damon, Blanchard and others. We may safely assume that these were of the twenty-eight. Would that the complete list were available! Of the women's activities during these times, Mr. W. A. Clapp has written, "One hundred and five boxes filled with bandages, pared, pickled potatoes, and large quantities of horseradish, grated by the children, were sent to the army by the women." Of one meeting of the Maternal Aid Society, it is recorded, "Few present, it being the afternoon of the Soldiers Aid Society." The annual reports of the Maternal Association for the years 1861 - 64 give poignant glimpses of the travail of those years. We read in 1861, "Of our boys, eight have enlisted in the army at their country's call, and have gone from us, to strike for liberty and the right. O, let our prayers be unceasing for them, and for our bleeding country, in this hour of danger and peril." In 1862, "Our meetings have necessarily assumed more of the form of prayer meetings than formerly. With our nation on the verge of ruin, bleeding at every pore --- with so many broken households --- so many clad in the habiliments of mourning for sons fallen in battle, with so many of our sons in the army exposed to death by disease or on the terrible battle front --- to whom could we go but to our God?" In 1863, "For many households --- a year of anxiety, bereavement and mourning, we feel that the hand of God is leading this nation, and that He will still lead us, even though it be through a Red Sea of blood, till we become a nation of free men."
In 1917, the nation entered World War I, and the church was again called to give its share of its youth for the country's service. Fifty-three names were on the Roll of Honor. As far as can be learned, every person returned home safely when the war was over. The church membership took its full part in all the community projects to aid the war effort. During the war and the six years following, until he left Wauwatosa, Mr. Davies headed the Home Service Advisory Committee of the Wauwatosa Red Cross. He also led the local fund raising campaigns, and was a bulwark of help to the, professional worker in interpreting the work to the community, and in advising her in her regular duties. For four or five years the church sent two Bible teachers to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center each Sunday.
The Centennial celebration found the country again in the midst of war, the most dreadful she has known. Again the pastor and the church members are giving their help in all fields of war service, supplementing the sacrifices made by the young men and women whose names appear on the lengthening roll of honor. Mr. Lee has been a member of the local Draft Board since its inception, and in addition has served on various committees and boards of the Community Chest and War Fund. Many of our members are filling key positions in the Red Cross, U. S. O. and Civilian Defense. At the time of this writing eleven men and one young woman have already given their lives in their country's service. The end of the conflict does not appear to be in sight and we pray that our church may not be called upon for further sacrifice. By some chance, the reason known only to an all-wise Providence, every one of these twelve young people was outstanding in church, school and community, with a family heritage, mental capacity, and outstanding personality that would have insured their future value to their country as citizens, and as progenitors of citizens to come. As we pray that our sons may be spared, let us also pray with humility that we may in a small measure, with unceasing and increasing vigilance for peace, atone for the nation's loss of these young lives.