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“Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone”

by Danielle Boos

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Boyd, Wisconsin, has had an interesting beginning. In the early 1870’s, groups of German Lutherans settled in this area with Pastor George Plehn from Chippewa Falls as their Pastor. One of the groups, called the “Hinter Yellow River Gimeinde,” became St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Boyd. On December 27, 1874, it became organized as a Christian congregation and Pastor Plehn and Pastor Otte served the congregation for almost 20 years. The first services were held in various members’ homes and later in a school building on the August Lotz Farm. The first Church building, erected in 1895, served them well until June 2008 when the Church purchased a new building in the town of Wilson. Formerly at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, it was later moved to the current location in Boyd. From 1873 until now, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church has been blessed with 8 pastors including, Pastor Raymond Bell and Pastor Gary Paul. Finally on July 30, 2022, Pastor Robert D. Hopkin was installed as the new Pastor.

Born an only child in California, Pastor Hopkins was raised Baptist. Growing up in Mississippi, he spent many years visiting family members on their corn and tobacco farms in Tennessee. A jack of all trades, Pastor Hopkins has managed food establishments, ran heavy equipment, and even worked for an airline! He enjoys hunting and fishing and moving from Nebraska to Wisconsin, is now looking forward to improving his ice fishing skills. Born and raised Baptist, Pastor Hopkins met his wife Kirstin, the youngest of 4 daughters, in southern California where her father was a Lutheran Pastor. But soon after meeting Kirstin, Pastor Hopkins became a Lutheran as well. Now, married for 15 years, Pastor Hopkins and his wife have a daughter, Kaeli. They live in Cadott at the parsonage of the sister Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, which Pastor Hopkins also serves. When asked what he enjoys the most about his congregation, Pastor Hopkins answers, “Just the people. They are all great people and that makes it easier to be there. I love Wisconsin and the people are always really great.” He proceeds to explain his biggest challenge. “Just getting people to come back from Covid and all that stuff is the biggest challenge we’ve had so far. People left because they didn’t want to be here during all that and just trying to get them back is difficult at times.”

St Peter’s Lutheran Church is a Missouri Synod. Lutheran Church. Preaching the Bible- based teachings of Martin Luther, The Church also lives by the Apostle’s Creed, and believes in The Trinity, Salvation and Resurrection and the Second Coming of JESUS. Worship music is led by the Lutheran Hymn Book.

The Church hosts family dinner’s twice a year and also, a yearly thrift sale to raise money for Church improvements. One of these improvements includes trying to get the bell back in place at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

Sunday School is at 9:15 am on Sundays, directly followed by the Sunday Church service at 10:30 am. Weekly youth confirmation classes are on Wednesdays from 6:30 pm until 7:45 pm. Bible Studies are held on Wednesdays at 9 am and Thursday evenings at 6pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cadott.

For more information on services at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, you can call the office at 715.667.3491.

Robert Hopkins (right) and his wife, Kirstin are all smiles as Pastor Hopkins is installed on July 30, 2022. Submitted Photo