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February 6, 2024
WITTENBERG — A former church in Wittenberg has found new life as an events venue.
The Little White Chapel opened last fall in a former Methodist church at 400 Front St. in the village.
Manager Hope Ukpong, who also helps plan weddings, said the building underwent a completed transformation — including new flooring and the removal of a dropped ceiling on the first floor to open up the space.
One thing that was not changed, Ukpong said — the building’s stained glass windows.
“The windows are beautiful, and we wanted to keep their same look and feel,” she said. “We did everything in white — painted the walls white, brought in white chairs. Everything is open and bright.”
Ukpong said the church had been closed for about a year when CT Event Spaces (which has rental spaces throughout Northeast and North Central Wisconsin) purchased the property.
The building, she said, had some water and roof damage, so renovations took about eight months.
Ukpong said more work will be done this year on the building’s lower level, including adding new flooring.
Filling a niche
Ukpong said The Little White Chapel helps fill a gap in the Village of Wittenberg and its surrounding rural communities.
“There was a need in (the Wittenberg area) for a more intimate setting for weddings and another space for events,” she said. “Everything has worked out well.”
In addition to drawing people from Wittenberg, Ukpong said the space has attracted people from Antigo and Wausau who are looking for space in a centralized location — whether it’s for a wedding, baby or bridal showers, reunions or other special events.
The venue’s upstairs has room to seat about 100 people and includes a small stage area. Submitted Photo
“We have some people book us as a back-up if they are getting married outside,” she said. “That was one of our first weddings since the weather was bad and they needed an indoor space.”
Ukpong said the first floor has room to seat about 100 people and includes a small stage area, which could be used for a DJ.
The lower level features a full kitchen, a room with tables that can seat about 90 people and a bridal lounge.
Tables, she said, can also be set up on the first floor for a meal as well.
The building rental includes 200 white chairs and 20 white round tables.
The lower level of The Little White Chapel features a full kitchen, a room with tables that can seat about 90 people and a bridal lounge. Submitted Photo
“The space is flexible,” she said. “In the chapel, we took out the pews — some were damaged — and replaced them with white chairs. We also have white tables we can bring in so people can eat there as well. With the white chairs and tables, people can bring in what colors they want and it all goes together.”
The full kitchen, Ukpong said, provides options for some bridal and baby showers to bring in their own food to warm up on-site or as a landing space for caterers.
Interest, Ukpong said, has so far been good.
“We are already renting into 2025,” she said. “People are calling and Facebook messaging and wanting to see the space.”
The business joined the Wittenberg Area Chamber of Commerce, and Ukpong said the community has been welcoming.
Rates to rent the space vary depending on the day of the week — ranging in price from $99 (weekdays) to $399 (Saturdays).
Ukpong said weekday rental rates are currently $79 during the winter.
“We want people to be using the space,” she said. “It’s flexible and can be used for a variety of events, even meetings.”
CT Event Spaces also has event venues in Gillett and Wausau and works with other businesses to provide a variety of services, including Sweet Ride Limousine Service, Creative Celebrations by Hope, Aurora the Borealis, A Taste of Jamaica and Taste of Jamaica Entertainment with DJ Rayon.
For more information, visit cteventspace.com.
A virtual tour of the space is available on The Little White Chapel’s Facebook page.
