A church now affiliated with the United Church of Christ was founded Jan. 22, 1852, and met at the residence of John C. Sherwin, the Congregationalists' first minister. The Congregationalists shared the Baptists' first church building at Court House Square in Aug. 1852.

The Congregationalists' first church was built and dedicated Nov. 1, 1855. Partial financial assistance for the $1756 building project came from the Home Society. A 25-foot addition was made to the front of the building to seat 300 people, though on the eve of the Civil War the congregation numbered about 100.

A second church was built in 1870 on two parcels of land at the corner of 7th and Main. This building with a basement for the Sabbath School was completed in Nov. 1870 at a cost of $30,000.The first church was sold to the Norwegian Lutheran Society for $2,500.

The second church was remodeled in 1885, 1900, and 1941, with discussion of building a second story over the 1931 addition by 1947. In March 1950 the building was condemned and services were held in the auditorium of Washburn Elementary School on Main and Eighth Streets.

On October 8, 1950 the Trustees, with congregation authorization, approved the purchase of a property on the northeast corner of Main Street and Losey Boulevard, plus an additional lot, for $22,600. On the next Palm Sunday, in 1951, a drive was launched to raise $150,000, about half the estimated cost to build the third church. Plans for the new building were designed by the firm of Boyum, Schubert and Sorensen. Church members voted for a contemporary design which would cost an estimated $313,000.

Ground was broken on Aug. 9, 1952 in the church's centennial year. The building was completed in 1955. The mortgage was burned on Oct. 27, 1968. The church parsonage at 2225 State Street was sold in 1972 and since then ministers have received housing allowances. Two properties south of the church were purchased to create a parking lot which was used for the first time in Fall 1974.

The church celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1977. First Congregational was the first church in the city to ordain a woman. In June 1977 Nancy Johnson, daughter of Arthur and Joyce Johnson, was ordained in the sanctuary. By 1983 the "new" church was 30 years old and needed a face lifting which cost approximately $75,000. The church planned a four-phase schedule of replacements and repairs for the 1990s.

The church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2002 and continues its work today.

Adapted from Patricia Muller's history "It Started with Twelve" in the book It Started With Twelve : First Congregational Church UCC La Crosse, Wisconsin 1852-2002.