Foundations of the Czech Community
The Bohemians who founded the Blue River Valley Church
arrived in the area in the early 1860's. Most of the settlers were
farmers in Bohemia and they continued to till the soil for a livelihood
when they settled here and became two communities - the
"southern group" and the "northern group." The family names
of many of these immigrants are still heard in southwestern
Wisconsin
Worship Before Construction of Church Buildings
Like the first century church, the early pioneers used their homes as places of worship until the first church building was erected in 1868. Joseph Dvorak's home was the first to host such a gathering. There they read from their prayer book and scripture from the Bible. Having no pastor to deliver sermons they relied upon readings from the Postilla, a compilation of published sermons. The farmers wanted a Czech pastor, but Czech ministers were scarce. Moreover, the depressed economic conditions that followed on the heels of the Civil War increased the difficulties in supporting a resident pastor.
Although the community lacked a pastor, they were able to rely on the visits of itinerant ministers. During the early years sympathetic Czech ministers from throughout the Midwest came to serve the small transplanted piece of Bohemia. They came from Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Cedar Rapids.
A service with a minister was not a weekly event, but it was indeed a major event. With poor roads and often oxen-drawn vehicles, many spent nearly an entire Sunday going to and from the homes hosting the worship services. Despite the lack of local pastors, both the northern and southern valley communities decided to undertake the construction of church buildings.
