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| The WELS District President kicked Hastings out of WELS, then kicked the congregation out for supporting Hastings. But they had no qualms about stealing the property and endowment, under the leadership of SP Mark Schroeder. The photogalleries include some of my Photoshops, but nothign about the organ concerts. |
"Pastors" I count one.
Pastor Roger P. Drews has recently been called to serve here at St. John’s. He had been retired for 20 years when the Lord told him He still had work for him to do. Pastor Drews has had much experience in preaching the pure Gospel. He has studied the original Greek to give a clearer picture of what the Holy Spirit inspired. He has authored a commentary on the last book of the Bible which does not follow the current trend. He asks “Revelation! What Did The First Audience Hear?”
In 1977 Pastor Drews started the radio ministry programs “Music For the Master” and “Message From The Master.” They were syndicated in over 10 stations in the Midwest and Canada. His church services were sent to troops overseas. Pastor Drews also started “The Come To The WELS” outreach program.
May the Lord bless his work here.
"History" - Very odd version
The beginning of the congregation dates to 1847 when a group of Lutherans began meeting in private homes in downtown Milwaukee to hear readings of Martin Luther’s sermons. On December 4, 1848 a group of these German Lutheran families led by Pastor Ludwig Dulitz joined forces and started “Evangelishe Lutheran St. Johanneskirche” (St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church). In 1850 the congregation purchased the old Trninty Episcopal Church on the corner of 4th and Prairie (Highland) and dedicated the structure along with a school building.
The following years were a time of growth and expansion for St. John’s, assisted by the enormous number of German immigrants. The congregation called Pastor Johannes Bading to serve in 1858. New schools were built in 1871 and 1877, and the congregation grew to over 2500 members. The need for a larger church building now became obvious.
In the spring of 1889 the congregation hired the architects Herman Paul Schnetzky and Eugene R. Liebert to design a new church building. On July 28, 1890 the new Gothic structure, with a seating capacity of 1100, was dedicated.
 Historic St. John's Lutheran Church and Parsonage |  Historic St. John's Lutheran Church |
Christian education was one of the most important aspects of the church. St. John’s operated as many as three grade schools. Eventually two new congregations, St. Marcusand Apostles of Christ, came into existence from these schools.
In 1950 the neighborhood surrounding St. John’s was taken over by the city and replaced with a public housing project called Hillside Terrace. The expansion of the Milwaukee freeway system came to within three blocks of the church on the west and the south, restricting access to the building.
The school program of St Johns sadly came to an end in 1960. The school building next to the church was eventually demolished.
The last repainting of the church interior was done in 1962. At that time the congregation had dwindled to 72 members and struggled to remain in operation. St. John’s continued to exist because of work done by members to maintain the property and sound investments made over the years.
In the fall of 1990 a historical designation study report recommended that the church complex be designated a historic landmark.
In 2013 church services were suspended for a time due to a pastoral vacancy and problems caused by reduced membership. Late in 2014 a revitalization project began with an outreach program to draw in new members while bringing back previous ones. With the help of many volunteers we aim to revive this beautiful church and make it again a place to worship the Lord Jesus Christ.
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GJ - I guess they got kicked back into WELS. See the resources page - all WELS.
Let's leave out the Sixth Command and count some major breakages by WELS here.
The Seventh Commandment.
Thou shalt not steal.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not take our neighbor's money or property, nor get them by false ware or dealing, but help him to improve and protect his property and business [that his means are preserved and his condition is improved].
The Eighth Commandment.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.
The Ninth Commandment.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not craftily seek to get our neighbor's inheritance or house, and obtain it by a show of [justice and] right, etc., but help and be of service to him in keeping it.
The Tenth Commandment.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is his.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not estrange, force, or entice away our neighbor's wife, servants, or cattle, but urge them to stay and [diligently] do their duty.
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| "In 2013 church services were suspended for a time due to a pastoral vacancy and problems caused by reduced membership. Late in 2014 a revitalization project began with an outreach program to draw in new members while bringing back previous ones." |