For some time the Board of Trustees has talked about the condition of the “old” cemetery, located down the hill from the church on Pleasant View Road. Many years ago members of the board of trustees came to the conclusion they could not maintain both the original site where the log church was built in 1854 and the white church and cemetery. As a result the original site was abandoned. By state statute an abandoned cemetery must be maintained by the local community and that has been done for many years. First, the Town of Middleton cared for the grounds; and later the property was annexed into the city of Madison. For the last several years they have been mowing the grass.
Early this spring the trustees met representatives from the city of Madison at the cemetery. We wanted permission to do some work cleaning up the grounds. They had been mowing the grass on the hillside but had not cleared any brush back to the fence lines or on the top of the hill where the log church once stood, its fieldstone foundation hidden from all but the few who knew where to look. The city did not know the history of the site and were surprised as we led them through the brush pointing out graves hidden from view. They were very interested in the history and agreed, as long as procedures were followed, we could work to make improvements. Before our meeting ended they were asked if it would be at all possible for us “to take back the cemetery” and they said they would see what they could find out for us.
We were surprised and the city was, too, when research showed we were the owners all along! When the land was annexed by the city, they took only a small portion for the road right-of-way; the remaining land still was in the ownership of the First Lutheran Church, but all these years we did not know it.
The most dominant tombstone is that of Henry Frederick Niebuhr who donated half an acre of land on which the log church was built in 1854. The fieldstone foundation of the first log church, located at the top of the hill is visible again.
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- Old cemetery on Pleasant View Rd.
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- Original fieldstone foundation from 1854 log church
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- Johann Findorff, father of J. H. Findorff
In 1866, when the new white frame church was built farther south on Pleasant View, the trustees designated the “old” cemetery as a nondenominational burial place. At this time about thirty graves have been identified. There was a time when many of the stones were vandalized and time has erased the identifying information on others.
Improving the grounds will take some time but much has already been accomplished. Trustee Wayne Rounds has volunteered to cut the grass. An incredible amount of brush has already been removed and native ephemerals showed themselves almost immediately. Old grave sites have been marked and are being exposed. Tombstones will be restored if possible and returned to their rightful place. Photos are being taken, history recorded and added to our website. A sign will be added telling the significance of the First German Evangelical Lutheran Church and Cemetery and its link to the white church that followed.
Trustee Bruce Michaelis with recently cut brush.
There is a bit of a mystery at the cemetery. Every other year or so some kind person visits and leaves flowers on all the visible graves. Flowers arrived again this year, just after several of us had been there discussing work needing to be done. If you read this article and are that person, thank you! What a thoughtful and kind thing you have been doing. We would like to know who you are.
At this time the cemetery is not open to the public. We are actively working to improve access so that visitors can safely visit. As soon as it is safe to visit, we will announce that visitors are welcome.
We are thrilled to be able to care for this site again and will keep you informed of our progress as we move forward with our restoration efforts.