The following little historical outline is partly translated from the Norwegian records, written by secretary J. A. Johnson, and some from memory by Henry Amundson, secretary, January 1931-1941.

Where the name Bonnet Prairie originated is not known now, but it takes place in the southwestern part of the township of Otsego. The Norwegian Lutheran Congregation called Bonnet Prairie, was organized some time in the latter part of the forties, but had no regular minister until 1851.

March 27, 1847-(Possibly March 28th which was a Sunday.) First service was held under an oak tree. This is the founding date for Bonnet Prairie, Spring Prairie, and Norway Grove Congregations.

1847-1850-Rev. J. W. C. Dietrichsen was the pastor. He returned to Norway in 1850.

1850-1851-Rev. A. C. Preus from Koshkonong served.
1851-Rev. H. A. Preus took over.
1853-Log Cabin became home of Bonnet Prairie.
Cholera began to rage in the area.
Ingeborg Underdahl (Mrs. Ole) cared for patients in the log cabin
people brought her "chicken soup" to feed them.
She lived to be over 90 years old and did not contract the cholera.

1867:Present church was built The stone (from quarry on highway C and 2 in Rio) was loaded on wagons or stone boats and brought to the church. During this time Pastors Hovde, Vinnor, C. K. Preus, Johnson, and J. W. Preus served the three point parish.

1896-November 24, Luther League was founded (Young Peoples Society).
1896-December 4, Ladies Aid Society was founded.

1896-Lightning struck the church, splitting is from end to end, luckily not setting it on fire. The marble slab over the door with the inscription and date was thrown clear into the driveway. The steeple was lined under the shingles and tin so practically all the roof on the steeple was ripped off. At this time the big iron rod through the church over the pulpit was put in, to hold the walls together. The Committee assigned to this work was, Jim Thompson, Tom Austin, and Halvor Amundson Sr.

In the beginning the church was heated with a big long cast iron stove in the middle of the church, with one stove pipe to the right hand chimney and one to the left.

1897-The stone was put into the basement and walled around with brick, making the first furnace, which was used until the present one was put in 1916.

1897-Bonnet Prairie became a separate parish. Rev. L. M. Gimmestad became the pastor. Other preaching places for Pastor Gimmestad were Lodi, Dekorra, Baraboo, Galesville.

Remember, Luther College was founded near Galesville in 1859.
1897-May 19, Church Choir started.
1899-August 2, Parsonage built in Rio.
1901-February 3, started work on Redeemer Church in Rio.

1901-June 4, Sunday School started. Around this time the Young People's Society bought and installed a new bell in the Bonnet Prairie Church. The old bell was sold to the Chester Hagen School where it now hangs.

1902-1910-Rev. Otto C. Ottesen served.

1910-Rev. G. A. Sundby came. Gaslights were installed and Mrs. Sundby started circles in the two churches.

1918-Basement put under the church and kitchen enlarged.

1920-Rev. Sundby took on the ministry of the Hauge's Church (a few miles south of Bonnet Prairie on Old F Rd.)

1932-First Lutefisk dinner--water was brought in from the neighbors.

1937-The annual meeting was called to order, honoring the Ladies Aids and having their 50th Anniversary
It was a big day by taking part and celebrating in the church parlors.
Also at this meeting they voted to leave Christmas tree arrangements to the Luther League.

1945-Rev. E. W. Wilson accepted the call to all three churches. Elizabeth Wilson (his wife was the granddaughter of the Rev. H.A. Preus and daughter of Rev. J. W. Preus.

1946-January 21st annual meeting. Motion was made and seconded that the ladies be allowed to vote at the annual meeting. Motion carried.

1946-Discussion then followed as to disposition of the Hauges Lutheran Church. A motion was made and seconded to discontinue services in the Hauges Church.

1947-Extension of the church (Sacristy) and heating system--Hauge's Church closed. Windows from there are found in Bonnet Prairie Sacristy.

1957-July 3, Rev. Wilson announced that he was turning in his resignation effective October 1st.

1958-Rev. J. O. Jorgenson answered the call.
1959-January 26th, decided to start work on the basement floor at Stone Church.
1964-1965-Office and bathrooms were added.

1973-Bonnet Prairie voted to separate from Redeemer. A parsonage was built south of the church,on Old F Road and the location in Rio was sold.

1973-Pastor David Ufkes answered the call to Bonnet Prairie.
1976-Fellowship room was added.
1979-1986-Rev. J. E. Midtling served.
1986-1989-Rev. Michael Briggs served as pastor.

1989-1993-Rev. Richard Rem served and Bonnet Prairie accepted a shared ministry with Redeemer Lutheran, by a suggestion from Bishop Mays. 15 hours a week were served at Redeemer. The Bonnet Prairie Foundation Fund was founded during Rem's ministry.

1993-1995-Rev. Janice Mynchenberg became Bonnet Prairie's first female pastor. The angel(s) of Bonnet Prairie were discovered during her ministry.

1995-1998-Rev.David Brandfass answered our call. Bonnet Prairie voted to discontinue the shared ministry with Redeemer.

1996-1997-The basement was redone. New heating ducts, ceiling raised, new cupboards and serving counter, as well as sanctuary being newly decorated for the 150th Celebration.

1998-1999-September, Pastor Greg Gullicksrud was our interim until he accepted a call to the Northern Synod of Wisconsin.

1999-January Annual meeting voting in first female Church Council President, Cheryl Mielke for 2 year term.

1999-September through December, Pastor Dorothy Lindstrom served as our interim pastor.

1999-October 31, Groundbreaking for new accessibility and expansion, with actual construction beginning November 16. (to connect fellowship, office and restrooms and adding a lift.)

1999-November 14, Pastor Teri Lynn Forbes was called as full time pastor, with formal acceptance in December.

2000-January 9, Pastor Teri's First Service at Bonnet Prairie, with installation service being set for February 6, 2000.

2000-November 4, new addition completed on inside in time for Lutefisk Day. Also first time elevator lift is in operation for public use.

2001-May 21, lightening struck the church. Devastating fire destroyed most of the inside of the new fellowship hall, bathrooms, lift, entry, basement and most contents of the church. The sanctuary roof burned through and collapsed. Most pews, hymnals, organ, piano, keyboard, stereo, and other contents were damaged beyond use. The altar, pulpit, baptismal font, hymn board, & lectern were only slightly damaged by smoke and were then able to be restored. The exterior stone on the new addition was also in exceptional condition.

2001-June, immediate debris removed and clean up began. The congregation voted unanimously at a special tent meeting, to continue worship at Bonnet Prairie and to rebuild the church.

2001-October 28, Reformation Sunday, first service was held back at Church after the fire. It was held in the completed basement. Restoration of the church's upper level continued.

2001-December 16th, Sunday School Christmas program was held upstairs in partially completed sanctuary.(Carpeted, altar & pulpit finished, folding chairs used for seating.)

2002-January, painting of windows and arch brickwork completed and balcony finished.
2002-May 19th, Pentecost. Church Building and people of God rededicated to our Lord Jesus Christ.
2002-October, sound system completed and working.
2003-January, Pastor Teri gives intent of new call in Wasington. With last day to be February 16,2003.
2003-March 2-July 13, Pastor Sande Nelson joined us as interim.
2003-July 23-December 14, Pastor Richard Collier also interim.
2003-December 15-Pastor Peter Fribley replaces Pastor Rich in interim position.

2004-May, stained glass windows were picked up from Derek as contract was not being fulfilled. Settlement received and new contract accepted by Stained Glass by design.

2004-June 13th, special congregational meeting as to call of new pastor. Unanimous vote (50 members present) to call Pastor Rebecca Rossow.

2004-June 30th, Pastor Peter's last day as Bonnet Prairie interim.

2004-July 1st, Pastor Rebecca's first day as Bonnet Prairie Pastor.
August 14th, Pastor Rebecca ordained in Texas.
August 29th, Pastor Rebecca installed at 3:00 ceremony at Bonnet Prairie.
2004-December, final stained glass window replacement installed in the sanctuary.
2005-September 1st, Pastor Rebecca's last day serving Bonnet Prairie.

2005-September 11th, Pastor Dean Phillips (retired) supply pastor, replascement fill in for Pastor Rebecca.

2005-October 15th, window trim completed by Elert Construction crewmen.

2006-March 29th, numerous items were taken during a break-in at Bonnet Prairie.

2006-July & August, two new stained glass windows were installed above the door (arch's in the fellowship).

2006-October 29th, congregational meeting was called as to a decision on possibly discussing reinstating shared ministry between Bonnet Prairie, Redeemer and possibly a third church.

2007-May, congregation met to vote on drain tile & cement work, building a storage shed, and paving parking lot when finished. Some donations were received; the rest would be an extension of the previous loan we could borrow from. Work began at end of month.