In 1852 the first Norwegian Lutheran church service was held. A congregation, called La Crosse Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, formed in 1861 with services being held in a small rented chapel one Sunday evening a month. Until 1869 services were held at the German Lutheran Church. A church building located at Market Square was purchased in 1869 from the Congregationalists. On November 7, 1869, the first church service was held at this location. Membership in the Norwegian Lutheran Synod was applied for and granted in 1874.
The first parsonage at 7th and Market Streets was purchased in 1875. This same year, the North La Crosse Evangelical Lutheran Church (Trinity Lutheran) was formed as a sister congregation. A lot was purchased on the corner of 6th and Division Streets for the growing congregation of Our Savior's. On September 5, 1886, the church located at 612 Division Street was dedicated. A tower was added to the building in 1900. A new parsonage was built on the lot next to the church in 1908. This parsonage was moved in 1955 to 922 Cass Street to make room for a new church.
Due to the union of the Hauge Synod to which the Norwegian Synod belonged and the United Norwegian Lutheran Church, Our Savior's became part of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America in 1917. This name in time changed to Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1946. In 1960 Our Savior's became part of the American Lutheran Church. The congregation is now affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
A parish educational building was added in 1950; however, more space was still needed. In 1953 the congregation decided to build a new church. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on August 14, 1955, for a new church and education building. The new building was dedicated on February 17, 1957. The congregation is still going strong.
In October 1856, the Synod Lutheran Society (Scandinavian) was organized. Pastor H. A. Stub of Coon Prairie, Vernon Co., Wis., extended his ministry into the area organizing four churches in four valleys: Halfway Creek, Lewis Valley, Bostwick Valley and the La Crosse Valley. Up to 1861 the La Crosse Valley Church was served with the Bostwick Valley Church. Their first church was built in 1876 and was located one mile west and one mile north of West Salem at the junction of Gill's Coulee and Larson Coulee roads.
The Synod Lutheran Society and the Confederation Lutheran Society were formally joined in union as Our Savior's Lutheran Church of West Salem in 1918. This congregation is also still active.
