Join us on a fascinating journey to Voree/Burlington, Wisconsin, to explore the unique history and beliefs of a Latter-day Saint group often referred to as the Strangites. This isn’t the commonly known LDS Church; rather, it’s a distinct branch founded by James Strang. He started a rival Mormon Church in Voree/Burlington, Wisconsin back in 1844 and the church still exists! We’ll tour around the Trust Farm and see historic sites, including the Hill of Promise & the home where James Strang died. Gary Weber is a Strangite. He’s our tour guide and we’ll discuss their church and theology. You don’t want to miss this conversation…

https://youtu.be/vlL_OQ69CEo

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Gospel Tangents

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Genesis of Strangism

The Strangite Church, formally known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Strangite), was founded in 1844. James Strang, who had been sent on a mission to Wisconsin by Joseph Smith, claimed that an angel ordained him on June 27, 1844, the very day Joseph Smith died. This divine ordination, he asserted, made him the rightful successor to the church’s leadership.

Trip to Voree/Burlington

The journey to this lesser-known Latter-day Saint community in Wisconsin involved a mix of trains, planes, and automobiles. Landing in Milwaukee, the trip continued towards Burlington, Wisconsin, where the Church is located. The group believes they are the original Mormon Church and refer to themselves as Mormons. The area around Burlington, known as Voree is the setting for much of Strangite history, especially concerning the “Voree record”. The weather in Burlington on June 12th was surprisingly mild for summer, with a high of just 63 and low around 56 degrees Fahrenheit, a notable difference from Utah’s typical June temperatures.

Current Church Building and Surroundings

The current Strangite church building, located on Spring Valley Road near what’s called “Mormon Road,” is smaller than I expected. According to Bill Shepard, a long-time resident & member, this building was constructed around 1965-1967 and marks the first time the Strangites have had a dedicated church building, as they were previously scattered. The lawn around the chapel is nicely manicured, and visitors are always welcome.

Inside, or in their collections, the Strangites possess a wealth of historical documents, including 26 volumes of the Journal of Discourses, Times and Seasons, and Millennial Star. They also have Strang Manuscripts, which are copies of letters, and a publication called The Northern Islander, which was published at Beaver Island. Notably, the Strangites do use the Doctrine and Covenants.

Sacred Hill of Promise

One of the most significant sites for Strangites is the Hill of Promise. This is where James Strang is believed to have found his “Voree plates. The discovery was found under a small tree on the hill, under which Strang claimed a buried record lay. He gathered respected men from the town to witness the excavation, ensuring no prior disturbance of the soil. An angel reportedly appeared to Strang, revealing the record’s location.

Upon opening the stone casing, the ancient record crumbled due to exposure to air, a common occurrence with ancient artifacts according to Weber. Strang translated this record using the Urim and Thummim, which he said he received from the angel Moroni. The “Voree record” was a short account of a people named “Raja Ramor” who lived in the area and, similar to the Nephites on the Hill Cumorah, were largely destroyed in a great war. The record also depicted the priesthood structure, aligning precisely with the priesthood under Joseph Smith and James Strang, including prophet, viceroy, twelve apostles, and seventies.

Beyond its historical significance, the Hill of Promise holds prophetic importance: James Strang’s revelations indicate that Daniel from the Bible will someday appear on this hill to teach the saints and announce the imminent second coming of Christ. Meetings are sometimes held there to commemorate this.

Key Locations and Figures in Voree

The tour also covered several other historically rich locations:

• The Trust Farm: Much of the land in Voree, including several historic buildings, is part of the trust farm, which was started by Wingfield Watson. They currently rent out farmland for cattle grazing.

◦ The “Mormon House”: An old building from the early 1800s, it was once home to a member of James Strang’s church.

◦ Wingfield Watson’s House: Wingfield Watson was a significant leader in the church after James Strang. He lived in Voree, went to Beaver Island, and returned after the saints were run off the island. Born in Ireland, Watson was converted to Mormonism by Parley P. Pratt’s pamphlet, Voice of Warning, and later to Strangism by a Strangite elder. He lived a long life (1828-1922) and was a loyal disciple and stalwart leader who helped the scattered saints. His home is now occupied by David August’s son. A memorial to Wingfield Watson stands outside an old church, erected in 1984 by the Wingfield Watson Trust.

◦ The Old Church House: An earlier church building from the early 1900s, still stands today. It was used from  at least 1940 to around 1965, now serves as storage.

• Printing Press Building: This building housed the printing press for publications like The Gospel Herald, and now serves as storage.

Another old building behind the church, It previously was used to print the Gospel Herald.

◦ The Stone Quarry: Located across the street from the trust farm, this quarry provided rock for many homes in Burlington that still stand, including James Strang’s parents’ house. The quarry is still actively mined.

• Voree Park: Also owned by the trust farm, this park features a pictorial representation of early church members and their homes, including the Moses Smith.
• White River: This river was a site for baptisms for the dead under Strang. It once had a large water wheel for grinding wheat and corn, though it’s long gone now. The river was historically known as “White River” due to its heavy flow.
• Voree Temple Project: A grand temple was planned for Voree, with cornerstones laid across the river, but it never progressed much beyond the foundation. Some visuals have even depicted it as potentially larger than the Nauvoo Temple, though this is debated given it was never fully built.
• James Strang’s Parents’ House: This “original Stone Quarry house” is where James Strang was brought after being shot on Beaver Island. He lived there for three weeks before he died. He was initially buried in the Mormon Voree Cemetery on Mormon Road but later moved to the Burlington Cemetery. This is now a private residence, though a tour participant recounted staying in the room where Strang died.

Challenges and Adaptations

The Strangite Church faced a significant challenge when a treasurer absconded with tithing money. Because the church was not legally registered with the government, the bank account was in the treasurer’s name, making recovery impossible. This incident prompted the church to obtain a charter and register as a legal entity to hold property, despite objections from some who felt it changed the church. However, registering with the government for legal recognition and property ownership was a common practice in church history.

This tour offered an incredible glimpse into the enduring legacy of James Strang and the Strangite community in Wisconsin. There is clearly much more to learn about their theology and continued existence.

Copyright © 2025

Gospel Tangents

All Rights Reserved

Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.