St. Lucas Church and School History

St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran School : 

St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran School Established in 1872

How it all began : 

How it all began

1872 : 

1872 In 1872 when Bay View was just a small community of immigrants drawn to the area by the North Chicago Railroad Rolling Mills Steel Foundry on the corner of Russell Avenue and Superior Street a group of German Lutherans gathered to form the German Evangelical Lutheran St. Lucas Congregation of Bay View. On October 6, 1872 the first church building was 26x52’ was dedicated at the corner of Kinnickinnic and Russell Streets on land donated by the Milwaukee Iron Company. The cost of the building was $ 1,600.00. On the same day, the Christian Day School was organized and taught by Pastor John Hodtwalker. On October 13th the congregation was officially organized and on October 20th the first constitution was adopted.

1877-1891 : 

1877-1891 Our present church site was purchased in 1877 and the parsonage was moved to this location. In 1882 a new parsonage was erected. 1887 brought Rev. Bendix P. Nommemsen to St. Lucas who served the congregation for 37 years. In 1888 our present church building was erected at a cost of $ 16,000 ($308,000 in today’s dollars). Dimensions: 110x51x45’ high with a steeple 145’ high. Dedication took place on October 19, 1888. The old church and school was remodeled entirely for school purposes.

1891-1896 : 

1891-1896 Our present school property was purchased in 1891 for a cost of $2,000.00. A new four room School was erected for $ 8,000.00. In 1896, Mr. Ernest Timm was called as a teacher. He served the congregation for 43 years until he retired in 1939.

1900-1910 : 

1900-1910 The existing church building continued to be improved and completed during the 1900’s. In 1901 three bronze church bells and a tower clock were installed at a combined cost of $ 2,050.00. In the same year, the school children raised $ 100.00 for a new school bell. In 1904, 1906 and 1913, the church tower was struck by lightning. Lightning rods were installed in 1913 after the third incident. In 1916, an electrical lightning system was installed in the church and monies were donated by the Ladies’ Aide and the Young Ladies Society.

1907 : 

1907

1910 : 

1910 One of the immediate results felt in the community and church as a result of World War I was the emphasis placed upon the use of the English Language over German. In response to popular demand, permission was granted in 1918 to conduct some services in English. In 1923, regular English services were approved – English services to be held each Sunday at 8:15am and 10:45am and the German Service at 9:30am. In 1926, the constitution of the congregation, originally written in German, was revised and translated to English. In 1927, English replaced German as the medium instruction in Sunday School. Finally in 1964, German Services were discontinued completely. Three English services were conducted each Sunday beginning in February 1964.

1910 : 

1910 An 11 ¾ acre site was purchased at Howard and Pine Avenues at a costs of $ 12,000.00 ($ 231,000.00 in today’s dollars) for the purpose of establishing a congregation-owned cemetery in 1910. The school children were asked to suggest a suitable name. Hariet Stabenau submitted the name “Woodlawn” and was awarded a $ 1.00 prize.

1919 : 

1919 The school was totally renovated. School rooms were remodeled , a large auditorium/gymnasium was added 4 bowling alleys were installed in the basement. Cost: $ 32,000.00 ($340,000.00 in today’s dollars) Dedication took place on December 9. The proceeds of the alleys were a great financial assistance to the congregation as well. In the same year, the school was accredited by the local public school authorities.

1922-1924 : 

1922-1924 The 50th anniversary of the congregation was observed in 1922 with special jubilee services. A special canvass of the members was made for donations to improve the church and school properties

1930-1932 : 

1930-1932 In 1930, a new Wagerin Electro- pneumatic pipe organ was dedicated on June 29. The organ was 3 manual with 1,600 pipes and 25 speaking stops for a cost of $ 8,500.00. The name of our Congregation was legally changed from Deutsche Evangelische St. Lucas Germeindezu Bay View, Milwaukee County to “St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church of Milwaukee Wisconsin in 1931.

1932-1938 : 

1932-1938 The congregation observed its 60th anniversary in a week long celebration in 1932 with a membership of 1,750 communicates and 2,250 souls. The 50th anniversary of the present church building was observed on October 23, 1938. In preparation for the celebration, new light fixtures were installed and the church as newly decorated including the beautiful oil paintings on the west wall.

1946-1949 : 

1946-1949 Congregational memberships totaled 600 voters, 1995 communicants and 2,500 souls in 1946 – the high point of membership at St. Lucas. The 75th anniversary of the congregation was observed in 1947 with a year long special services and activities. As part of the observance, and extensive renovation of the church property was undertaken including a new church entry with entry lamps, full excavation of the basement and church parlors, kitchen facilities, boiler room, pastor’s office, meeting rooms and outside bulletin board. The bulletin board, donated by the Ladies Aid, was a memorial to Pastor Philip Koehler who served the congregation from 1926-1946. Total cost of the renovation was approximately $ 133,000.00 ($1,090,000.00 in today’s dollars). In 1949, the national convention of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod was held at St. Lucas.

1955-1960 : 

1955-1960 The interior of the church was redecorated and the chancel lighting was modernized at a total cost of slightly over $ 7,200.00 in 1955. In 1956 our congregation joined the Wisconsin Lutheran High School Conference and a new Wisconsin Lutheran High School was dedicated in 1959. Financial support for the school was included in the congregations budget. Permission was granted to a group of patrons in 1960 to operate a school bus. Shortly after this a second school bus was purchased. Over 50 riders availed themselves to this service. In 1963, a garage was erected to house the School buses. In 1968, the school bus service was discontinued.

1960-1963 : 

1960-1963 The old school, minus the gymnasium and bowling alleys was razed in 1961. Ground breaking ceremonies for the new school were held on June 18 and a cornerstone laying service took place on July 23rd. The new school was dedicated on June 23rd 1962 for a total cost of approximately $215,000.00 ($1,560,000.00 in today’s dollars). School enrollment for the 1961-1962 school year was 240. In 1963 the school faculty was increased to 8 full-time teachers when enrollment was increased to 302.

1961-1963 : 

1961-1963

1961-1972 : 

1961-1972

1972 : 

1972 A year long centennial celebration of the congregation begun in October, 1972. President Oscar Naumann served as guest speaker in the morning service on Centennial Sunday October 15th. Pastor George Boldt, president of the Southeast Wisconsin District of the Synod, and son of our congregation, preached in the afternoon services. The following major improvement projects were completed in preparation for the congregations centennial: Exterior sand blasting, painting, new gutters, new roof, tower repairs, clock renovation. Interior new heating plant, insulation of walls, interior decorating, narthex renovations, light dimmers and electrical renovations, new pews for nave and balcony, balcony remodeling, basement and kitchen renovation, and complete organ renovation and enlargement. Approximate cost was $ 120,000.00 ($ 1,300,000.00 in today’s dollars). Membership at the time of our centennial were 1,391 communicants, 1,778 souls, school enrollment 227.

1974-1980 : 

1974-1980 In view of decreased school enrollment (196) the congregation approved the re-establishment of a school bus service with the purchase of a 54 passenger bus in 1974. In 1976, a 28 passenger bus was purchased and in 1977 a 36 passenger bus was purchased as well. Later in 1980 a new 53 passenger school bus purchased.

1982-1989 : 

1982-1989 In 1982, the 110th anniversary of the congregation was celebrated throughout the month of October. The Rev. Carl H. Mischke, president of Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod was a guest speaker. As part of the anniversary celebration a $ 50,000.00 thank you offering was authorized. Of that amount $ 35,000.00 was designated for energy conversation in the school and $ 15,000.00 was given to the Synod’s World Mission Board for the construction of a chapel in Ndola, Zambia Africa. Communicant membership at the time of our 110th anniversary was 1,442 with a school enrollment of 364. The 100th anniversary of our present church building was observed in 1988. An anniversary dinner and inspirational/educational evening was held on October 15th followed by special festival services on October 16th. A thank you offering was authorized with a goal of $ 150,000.00 Receipts were designated for church redecoration, replacement of front stairs and platform, deficit retirement, and initial planning for church administration, education and fellowship facilities. On October 16th, 1988 our church building received Landmark Designation by the Bay View Historical Society. In 1989, a third pastor was added to the pastoral team.

1990-1998 : 

1990-1998 A set of hand bells were purchased and a hand bell choir was formed in 1992. The congregation celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1997 with special services and a “Grace 125” thank you offering. Plans for a new school building were approved on December 27, 1997 and began with the razing of the 2 houses to the north of the existing school and the existing school and razing of the existing school gymnasium and bowling alleys.

1998-1999 : 

1998-1999 In January of 1998 school functions were moved to Roosevelt School in West Allis, WI for the remainder of the 1998-1999 school year during the construction of the new school. Our new state-of-the-art school building was constructed from 1998-1999 and was dedicated with a special service on September 19, 1999. The total cost was approximately $ 3,000,000.00 dollars. Pastor Stanley Stein celebrated 10 years of ministry at St. Lucas in July of 1999.

1998-1999 : 

1998-1999

Current Building : 

Current Building

1998-1999 : 

1998-1999

1999-Present : 

1999-Present A daily bible reading program began in December of 1999 with the Today’s Light Bible readings - many congregation members participated. Initial plans for studying the renovation and repair of our existing church building began in January of 2000. Pastor Robert Gurgel and Pastor Jonathon Rupprecht celebrated their 25th anniversaries in the ministry with a special service/program on November 5, 2000. A school self study report was prepared by members of the congregation from February 2001 through May of 2001 examining all aspects of our school with recommendations for improvement. Church was open for prayer and meditation during the morning and the evening throughout the fall of 2001 following the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks on America. During the summers of 2001 and 2002 a dedicated team of St. Lucas members volunteered at Miller Park concessions stand during concerts and Milwaukee Brewer games. The highlight was working the 2002 All-Star Game. All monies earned were donated to the school debt retirement. Jason Schultz arrived at St. Lucas in February 2002 as our new school administrator/principal.

St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran School : 

St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran School

1999-Present : 

1999-Present In May of 2002 the Master Plan for repair, renovation and expansion of our existing church building was approved by the voters. A capital campaign for raising the funds needed to the renovation began in the Spring of 2003. The theme of the program was called Hands to Work Hearts of God. Over $ 250,000.00 in commitments were pledged. In April of 2003, the Stephen Ministry program was started in St. Lucas with 3 lay volunteers and Pastor Gurgel, who were trained in caring Christian Ministry in Orlando, FL. A ChristCare small group program had begun June 3rd, 2003. In October of 2003, our existing pipe organ was removed and trucked to Texas for repair and renovation by Robert Sipe Inc. It was re-installed at the end of the ongoing church renovation project. A new, improved Master Plan for the renovation and expansion of the church was adopted by the Voters on January 25th, 2004.

1999-Present : 

1999-Present Phase I renovation plan for the church was approved by the Voters on March 28, 2004 with an approximate costs of $1 Million dollars. Included was the electrical service, new water service, new heating and air conditioning, a new Nave flooring system, structural improvements to the balcony and new paint, plaster and insulation. Church services were moved to the school gymnasium beginning July 2004 during the renovation of the church. Church membership at St. Lucas as of August 2004 was 1,533 with a communicant membership of 1,160 and average weekly attendance of 427.

1999-Present : 

1999-Present Pastor Gurgel served as our interim principle from 2006-2008. While he accepted the majority of the principle responsibilities, several members of the faculty also assisted with these tasks. During this time St. Lucas became a participant in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. In April of 2008 Michael Koestler accepted the call to serve as Direct of Christian Education. He began his service at St. Lucas during the summer of 2008.

1999-Present : 

1999-Present St. Lucas Lutheran School hosted an onsite visitation team to review the findings of the School Self-Study Report (SSSR).The team was at St. Lucas School from Sunday, October 11 through Wednesday, October 14. They observed in classrooms and interviewed students, parents, staff, teachers, and pastors. Team members examined committee reports and reviewed evidences. After reviewing the SSSR, the team recommended St. Lucas School to be awarded Exemplary Accreditation Status for the 2010-2011 school year. “The self-study took 2 years of hard work, but the reward is before us,” Mr. Corey Tipton, Board of Christian Education Chairman. “There are many blessings at St. Lucas. We also know there is more work to do.” This is a time for thanksgiving for all those connected to the school community!” comments Mike Koestler, Director of Christian Education. “God has richly blessed the children with people who care.” The onsite visitation team made 44 commendations and 46 recommendations for school improvement. We praise the Lord for the commendations made. He has richly blessed us! We ask for His direction as we address the recommendations for school improvement.