Emmanuel Lutheran in Longwood held a rebuilding fundraiser on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at the church site in Longwood. With food, fun, carnival games, a flea market, karaoke, cake walk, raffles and live auction those who attended, the congregation of Emmanuel Lutheran raised over $12,000 to rebuild their church, following a lightning strike July 23, 2024 that caused the church building to catch fire. The building was torn down soon after as unsalvageable, but the congregation has continued to meet for services.
“We have continued regular weekly worship in our parish hall since the church building burned down,” Pastor Elizabeth Bier said. “After learning we could not rebuild on the existing basement, the Emmanuel Lutheran basement was buried on June 16, 2025 in such a way as to prepare to build on it, as a future plan is approved by the congregation. A number of people were present to make sure that the cornerstones, time capsule from 1985 and other things were salvaged. We will open the time capsule on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at our 10 a.m. all parish worship in Longwood Park, followed by a potluck.
Pastor Bier shared the following on the Fire Recovery fundraiser from Saturday:
“We are so thankful for all who joined us on Saturday, June 28, 2025,” she said. “This was the first time Emmanuel has hosted such a large festival event. It was a wonderful day of sharing memories, connecting with old friends and new, and giving thanks for God's faithfulness in the past, present and the years to come. We cleared over $12,000 in donations (we are still waiting for a few expenses to clear before a final number). Thank you again to all who joined us and we hope to see you again in the future!”
With 167 baptized members and 57 active participants as of summer 2023, the fund to rebuild at Longwood now stands above $172,000, being at $160,000 before Saturday’s fundraiser.
Item donors for the Saturday fundraiser included the following:

Big Item Ticket Raffle
One Fest and Emmanuel Church
Sarah’s Garden
Barb and Gordy Finkelson
Owen-Withee FFA
Needles for Needs, Medford

Live Auction Donors
Barb and Gordy Finkelson
Sowieja Family
Hene Supply
Leslie Hilton
Sandi Petke
Frenchtown Greenhouse
En-ve Acres
Posy Patch Greenhouse
Longwood Gardens
Donna Rasmussen
Stephanie Hanson
Wanda Krause Peterson

Bucket Raffle
Vita Gosse
Deb Englebretson
Emmanuel Sunday School
Longwood Pines Greenhouse
Courtesy Auto
Jim Rasmussen & Al Wagner
Betty Muehlbauer
Crystal Corner
Earl's Pretzels
Ovyn Trucking & Excavating
Bier Family
Marit Mueller
Withee Public Library
Ria's Studio 3
Black River Orchard
Kayhart Family
Soweija-Kayhart Family
Mary Kay by Brenda Thomas
Longwood Gardens
Martin's Fresh Market
Donna Rasmussen
Wells A&W LLC
Black River Orchard
Knockout Nutrition
Tendershoots
Munson Bridge Winery
Strides Equestrian Center
Forward Financial
Rich & Monica Englebretson
Shelly Carpenter