The 3rd Heritage Tour reminding us of the first Swedish and Scandinavian colonists in Wisconsin, the first Swedish Settlement, New Upsala, it’s founder Gustaf Unonius, and the Scandinavian Parish was held August 19, 2023. The first tour was held in 1991, when the monument of Gustaf Unonius was unveiled at Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary and the second tour was held in 2008. All three tours stopped at Nashotah House, the Holy Innocents Cemetery, at the site of New Upsala in Chenequa, and at St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church in Hartland.
The 2023 tour started with Reverend Jason Terhune discussing the history of the Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary and leading a walking tour, starting at Shelton Hall, the student common room, and continued to the Chapel of St Mary, the Virgin, past Michael, the Bell Tower, and then to the Blue House, where the first students lived and the Red Chapel.
of St. Mary the Virgin
The Blue House and the Red Chapel were the original facilities, and are today among the oldest standing buildings in Wisconsin. Marge Jothen remembers the days when she worked with the SAHSWI team to establish the monument that honors Gustaf Unonius as the first graduate of the Nashotah House. See more history from Nashotah House website.
The tour then continued to the Holy Innocents Cemetery where Paul Turek, Chairman of the Cemetery Committee, St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church presented the history of cemetery and the Scandinavian Parish. In January of 1844 Bishop Jack Kemper visited New Upsala and in March the same year the Holy Innocents cemetery was consecrated for the Scandinavian community, and the Pine Lake Scandinavian Parish was established. Gustaf Unonius was ordained as its first pastor in 1845. A few years later a small church was built on the cemetery grounds.
The next stop was Chenequa Village Hall, where Chenequa Village President Jo Ann Vilavicencio presented the history of Gustaf Unonius, who with wife and friends in 1841 traveled from Sweden to Wisconsin and their adventures establishing a living and the New Upsala settlement by Pine Lake. Jo Ann (Joni) told the story how the settlement during 1850’s faded and many of the Swedes and other Scandinavians moved on. In the late 19th century, the community began to be referred to as Chenequa, the Potawatomi Native American word for Pine and in1928 the Village of Chenequa was incorporated. Joni’s whole story will be published at a later date.
The final stop of the tour was at St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church in Hartland. Senior Warden Doug Haag, his wife and SAHSWI member Meg, JR Warden Sarah Hintz, and Fr Thomas Buchan welcomed participants. Historical documents were on display for visitors to see and church and society members were there to answer any questions. St. Anskar’s history goes back to the Scandinavian Parish and the Holy Innocents church, which merged with Grace Church and together forming a new church which today is known as St. Anskar’s Episcopal Church.
The 2023 Heritage Tour was arranged by the SAHSWI project team working to erect an official State of Wisconsin Historical Marker honoring Gustaf Unonius, New Upsala, and the Scandinavian Parish. The application for the marker has been approved by Wisconsin Historical Society and is now on order. The team is currently informing the public and seeking donations to cover the cost. So far $2,475 has been received, for more information go to Historical Marker Donation page.
The Heritage Tour was very well received by the participants. A special thanks to the tour guides and presenters, Jason Terhune, Paul Turek, and Jo Ann Vilavicencio for making this a very interesting day. Thanks also to St. Anskar’s Church, Doug and Meg Haag, Sarah Hintz, and Thomas Buchan for hosting the “Fika” meeting, SAHSWI members Tracy Redman and Bev Wenzel for handling the Welcome table, and members of the SAHSWI hospitality team Janet Taylor, Karin Konrad, and Irene Roberts for arranging and serving the coffee and pastry, and thanks to all who brought the pastry. Thanks to everyone that participated and “Tusen Tack” for the donations received!
Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin 