About the People... 

When Henry Hudson first sailed up the Mahicannituck River (Housatonic River-later named the Hudson River), his first encounter was with a band of Native Americans who called themselves Muh-he-con-neok (the People of the Waters That Are Never Still). Hudson found the Native Americans were warm and inviting, and the Mohicans helped the Europeans settle lands, plant crops, fish and hunt.  

The Native Americans willingly gave land to the explorers and, in order to get to know them better and with the hope that the explorers would be interested in learning more about them, they set up communities near the European settlements. It was believed by the Mohicans that, in order to be good neighbors, they needed to know their neighbors. And so they entered into a close relationship with those who came to their land. 

"We know about God. Tell us about this man, Jesus." -Chief Konkapot, Muh-he-con-neok

Soon missionaries began a ministry among the Mohican People. The Mohicans welcomed this interaction as they had welcomed the visitors when they first arrived. The Mohicans were the first Native American Tribe to embrace Christianity. 

European settlers the Mohicans found themselves being moved further west through several moves, the Mohicans re-located in what is now the state of Wisconsin. The Menominee Nation gave the Mohicans what is now their permanent reservation site in the Townships of Red Springs and Bartelme in the County of Shawano. 

About the Congregation... 

Founded in 1936, the Congregation was originally affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and has its basis in the Mission School founded by the Missouri Synod in Gresham, WI. 

As the Tribe moved west on the Reservation, the need arose for a church where the majority of the People lived. And so, the Congregation of Wilderness Lutheran Church was founded.  

The Congregation met in various buildings on the Reservation until the church was constructed in 1955. Pastored by supply clergy from surrounding communities, Wilderness called its first full-time pastor in 1974. 

In 1981 Wilderness joined the Association of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches, later merging into the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). 

Seeing the need to become accessible to all people, the Congregation undertook a major reconstruction project of the original building in 2001. Along with the help of its members, the Community, Partners in Ministry and Friends of the Congregation, a new addition consisting of a Fellowship Hall, classrooms, kitchen, and restrooms was constructed on the same level as the sanctuary. This construction project included a full basement, which allows for expansion in the educational ministry. The new addition was dedicated in June of 2002 and serves the Congregation as well as the Community.  

For more history, check out the Stockbridge Munsee Band of Mohican's website, found here.