Voree, Wisconsin

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Voree is an unincorporated community on the outskirts of present-day Burlington, Wisconsin. It is best known as the historic and current headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite), a denomination of the Latter Day Saint (Mormon) movement.

[edit] History

In 1844, after the death of Joseph Smith Jr., James J. Strang, who had declared himself to be the new Mormon prophet, established Voree as a gathering place for the Latter Day Saints who chose to follow his leadership [most LDS members followed Brigham Young to the Salt Lake Valley]. These followers of Strang Moved from from Nauvoo, Illinois and other places to Voree. The Strangite church established a stone quarry and built many fine stone houses, several of which survive. The town included a blacksmith shop, a tavern, a school house and a tithing house. The church excavated a foundation for a large temple and they operated a print house, publishing the Voree Herald and Zion's Reveille. A hill in Voree, known as the "Hill of Promise" was the location where the Voree Plates, purportedly containing the ancient record of "Rajah Manchou of Vorito", were unearthed.

Because land prices in the Voree area were high, it was difficult for members to gather to the settlement and purchase farms. Additionally, a group of Strangite leaders led by Aaron Smith rejected Strang and formed a schismatic group in Voree. For these reasons, Strang relocated church headquarters to Beaver Island by 1850. Opposition in Beaver Island led to the expulsion of the Strangites and to the fatal wounding of Strang. He returned to Voree, where he died in 1856.

The Strangite Latter Day Saints continue on to this day, albeit in one small congregation. They own a church in Voree; a congregation meets there regularly.