ELLSWORTH – The “Stone Church” on the corner of Piety and Strickland streets in Ellsworth is beginning a new chapter. Living Waters Christian Fellowship has donated the church to the St. Francis Parish.

Originally known as St. John’s Episcopal Church, construction began in 1900 and took 13 years to complete. According to Fr. Sam McCarthy, Mark and Mary Sanderson built the church; their names are engraved into stones over the buttresses.

The stones came from across North America, stretching from Saskatchewan to New York. They were then shaped and fitted by hand to create the walls, which are 5 feet thick. The final price tag for the church upon its completion was $10,000.

According to Pierce County Historical Association’s Vol. 10, Christ Episcopal Church of Red Wing donated the bell, which was cast in 1857 in Sheffield, England. Bishop Wells of Wisconsin donated the lectern. Bishop Nicholson of the Diocese of Milwaukee gave the church the reredos (large ornamental wall) behind the altar, while the vestments and altar came from Lake City.

“Over the years, the church has been home to several faith communities,” McCarty said in a Facebook post. “Following World War I, it was rented by a Lutheran congregation. Zion Covenant Church used the building beginning in 1954, and in 1983, it was purchased by Living Waters Christian Fellowship, which continued to worship there until May 2026.”

McCarty said his parish is still exploring ideas for how the Stone Church will be used long-term.

“We envision it being used for worship, prayer and reflection, special gatherings, and to help meet parish educational needs as our community continues to grow,” McCarty said. “We know that God's timing is perfect, so we are certain that there is a reason we have been given the church. As with anything we do, our goal is to listen to the Lord and be 'coworkers in the vineyard' according to his designs.

“We’re also very grateful to Living Waters Christian Fellowship for their generous donation of the church to St. Francis. In many ways we will simply continue what has already been happening there: Christ has been proclaimed in the Stone Church for many generations. The church has a rich history of faith and worship in our community, and we’re looking forward to carrying that legacy forward as part of St. Francis Parish.”

The parish hosted Mass in the Stone Church on Sunday, Oct. 3 as part of the Feast of St. Francis celebration.

“As St. Francis begins this new chapter as caretaker of this historic place, we’re grateful for all those who have worshiped here, cared for it, and preserved it through the years. We look forward to seeing these walls continue to be filled with prayer, faith, and fellowship for years to come,” McCarty said.

For more information on St. Francis Parish, which is located at 231 W. Woodworth St., visit stfrancisellsworth.com