History

The LakeView story begins in 1947 when the Norwegian Danish Methodist Church closed its doors at 111 South Page Street in Stoughton, Wisconsin. A few of its members along with a very active local Bible class wanted to start a Bible-centered church. This group became aligned with the Norwegian Danish Evangelical Free Church and began holding public services in October 1947. Mike Peterson of Williams Bay, Wisconsin, drove to Stoughton to serve as a lay pastor during the first year. The old building at 111 South Page St. was purchased from the Norwegian Danish Methodists for $4000.

The church was officially named and chartered as Calvary Evangelical Free Church on February 6, 1948, with 27 members. On April 1, 1948, the Rev. Gustav Hannevik became the first full-time pastor. Rev. Hannevik served 10 ½ years establishing the church on a solid foundation with attendance just over 100.

The church relocated in 1970 to 213 Hoel Ave. Since 1986 church attendance has grown from about 130 to 550. A small addition was added to the church building on Hoel Ave. in 1990, bringing the total space to 9,800 square feet. The church purchased 10 acres of land in 1995 and completed a 22,600 square foot facility in January 1999. The church changed its name from Calvary Evangelical Free Church to LakeView Church in January 1999, while retaining its high commitment to the Evangelical Free Church of America. In June 2003, LakeView dedicated a 17,000-square-foot addition that includes a large gymnasium, office space and some cool classrooms for students.