Cadott United Methodist (Cadott UMC) is having a birthday celebration—and you’re invited!
Taking place Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3 at 257 Maple Street in Cadott, the church is turning 150 years old. The church shared more of what visitors can expect this coming weekend in a press release:
Cadott UMC 150 Anniversary Weekend Celebration
Saturday, May 2 and Sunday May 3, 2026
Past present, future and community members welcome
Welcome all to Cadott UMC’s Weekend Celebration! Starting Saturday at 1:00 pm with appetizers and live music, by Kings Trio. At 3:00 pm learn about the History of this community staple through a theatrical performance by Pastor Cheri. At 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm enjoy a delicious meal of flip-flop chicken, sides, dessert, and beverages. Enjoy the fellowship, reminiscing, and reconnecting! The festivities for this day will end around 7:00 p.m. Join us Sunday at the Church for morning coffee at 10:00 a.m., service to follow at 10:45 a.m. Then after service for an old-fashioned pot luck meal, provided by current church members. More fellowship, reminiscing, and re-connection to round out our wonderful weekend!
Initially started as a United Brethren Congregation before the arrival of the Methodist church system in the area, the congregation dating to 1876 was once connected with churches in Stanley, Thorp, and Cadott under a shared pastor. The Thorp congregation has since disbanded, while Cadott continues to share a pastor with Stanley and is currently co-pastored by George Olinske and Cheryl Miskimen, with Olinske serving since 1985, initially as an associate pastor.
In 1997, construction expanded the church sanctuary, and a nearby house was purchased for use as a parsonage and office space, something Olinske remembered on a recent Sunday over donuts and coffee.
“We had a problem, he said of the old sanctuary’s 85 person capacity and weekly attendance. Expanding from necessity, the congregation found someone to do a design reasonably and acquired a nearby house, building on the north side. The first service in the new sanctuary was Easter 1999, with the new sanctuary now 26 years old. Members gather at 10 a.m. down the hall for donuts and fellowship, with services starting at 10:45 a.m. Organist Dorothy Peters has played organ for 30 plus years, otherwise described as “a long time.” The oldest member is 98-year-old Shirley Roehrborn, a member of Cadott UMC for 66 years. Across the years the congregation has also been instrumental in many community institutions, including a food pantry started in 1985 after Olinske and wife Pauline were told two families weren’t going to have Thanksgiving dinner, prompting them to purchase the food themselves. This later expanded into a food pantry serving soup and sandwiches, still active but located elsewhere after it outgrew the church.
Member Jon Wojciechowski shared more on how he joined and what Cadott UMC is about.
“George and I worked in the Army Reserve together,” he said. “It’s been a growing church, a loving church. Between George and the other guys it’s a big reason I’m here.”
Another member named Rosa Sonnentag Smith shared how she became involved with the church.
“In 1979 the Methodist Choir called ‘Good News’ was looking for people to sing at the park during Nabor Days,” she said. “We were going to a different church at the time.” Practice was on Wednesdays with performances on Sundays. “I’ve kind of been here ever since,” she said.
Since the church centennial in 1976, pastoral leadership at Cadott UMC has included individuals such as Fox, Dave Ford, Clarence Cheever, Vince Sammartino, George Olinske (until 2001), followed by Mike Weaver, Jim Altman, Young Che, and others.
Come learn more about Cadott UMC history and visit with members at the 150-year anniversary celebration this weekend!