Grace & Truth Chapel, Wausau, WI

Grace & Truth Chapel is currently a KLC-BGG (Reunited) exclusive brethren assembly in Wausau, Marathon Co., Wisconsin. John and Eva Wurz had emigrated from Germany to nearby Stettin to farm in 1882, in fellowship with exclusives in his homeland. Louis Grebe emigrated to Wausau in 1883, meeting John's daughter Maggie, and married her in 1889. George Hoeppner, an associate of John's in Germany also settled in Wausau at some juncture. The assembly started breaking bread in the "Marquardt house" home of Louis & Maggie Grebe at Fourth Ave. & Alexander St. about 1893, with John and George also in fellowship.

In 1901, this assembly is thought to have been associated with the TW-Lowe EB, which went with the Lowe division of 1908-1909, and met in the home of August & Marie Block in town, while others remained in the country. In 1915, 411 S. Third Ave., was rented, then 411 S. Third in 1915. In 1918, they rented what was later the Labor Temple, above Hanneman's Department Store, at 310 (or 318) S. Third Ave, known by then as Bible Truth Hall.

They hosted their first bible conference at the end of May of 1919, brethren came from New Jersey and elsewhere, including Dr. John Lawrence who was well-known for his ministry in the West Indies, particularly Jamaica. Subsequent conferences on the Memorial Day (May 30th) holiday weekend, sometimes held alternately at Danville, Illinois. During 1924-1925, the assembly experienced an inward division that splintered into two groups meeting separately, but continuing to break bread together. Brethren from New Jersey visited subsequently and "were used of the Lord to heal the breach and restore unity".

The Lowes & Continental brethren merged with the Kelly division in 1926, and this meeting is thought to have become KLC at that point, or it may have had connection with the Grants. In 1936, they purchased a former Methodist chapel at 518 S. Fifth Ave., where they met until 1970. This two-story building was their first owned meeting place, and an average of 70 were breaking bread here. By 1946, it was referenced as "Bible Truth Assembly". By 1954, it may have been Grant-Stuart, which reunited with the KLC's at that point, and they are simply known to historians as Reunited Brethren at this point. From 1969-1970, the assembly constructed their own building at 1600 N. 1st Ave. In 1977, it incorporated as Bible Truth Chapel. In the mid-1980's, around 115 were "identified in practical fellowship", including fourth and fifth generation families.

In 1992, this meeting folded for eight years when most left this assembly to start an open brethren meeting that took the older name Bible Truth Chapel including Roger Grebe, a descendant of some of the original founders. In 2000, several left BTC to setup another KLC table that continues to this day as Grace & Truth Chapel. About 2014, BTC started adopting more of an independent community church format (BC for Bible Church) and by 2016, some left there to start a more conservative open brethren meeting known as Bible Believers Fellowship.

Location History

• Stettin residency, home of John & Eva Wurz 1882-1893
• Fourth Ave. & Alexander St., home of Louis & Maggie Grebe 1893-1901
• 120 S. Third Ave. 1901-1915
• 411 S. Third Ave. 1915-1918
• 310 (later 318) S. Third Ave., Labor Temple above Hanneman Dept. Store 1918-1936
• 518 S. Fifth Ave., former Methodist chapel 1936-1970
• 1600 N. 1st Ave. (1st & Lucille) 1970-current;

Early Correspondents

• John Wurz 1882-1893
• Louis Grebe 1893+
• August Block +1901-1905+
• Herman Schuett +1946+
• Julius Heuss +1946+
• Raymond K. Campbell +1950+

Also See

• Visiting Ministry conference reports, etc.
• Who's Who notable alumni

Sources

• Brief Historical Account of Bible Truth Assembly by R.K. Campbell, 1985. To be added.