History

The history of First German Evangelical Lutheran Church is a history of God’s grace in action. From the mission work of an immigrant pastor in 1848, to our founding in 1855, to the present day - God has been our Rock and our Refuge and our Redeemer. First German was organized as a mission congregation of German Lutherans who had come to the Wisconsin frontier for a better life. These German immigrants quickly realized the need to have God’s Word and Sacraments in their midst. They gathered in Manitowoc and held services in German, opening a formal Lutheran elementary school in 1864.

The present church building was constructed in 1873, the same year the Lakeshore Railroad connected Manitowoc with the bustling city of Milwaukee. Mission work in those days consisted of gathering Lutherans who had already come to America and were looking for a church. Confessional Lutherans found a home at First German under the staunch leadership of several different pastors.

Over the next one hundred years First German was served by exceptional pastors and helped daughter or start three different congregations in Manitowoc: Bethany Lutheran Church, Immanuel Lutheran Church, and Grace Lutheran Church. All three congregations are thriving to this day. First German continued to adapt and change over the years in other ways. By 1922, English and German services were held together on Sunday mornings. Eventually First German ceased their German services altogether, as the need for such ministry vanished.

Soon, by the grace of God, another language was heard at First German - Hmong. In 1983, contacts were made in the Hmong community and the first Hmong children came to Vacation Bible School. God blessed the ministry and has continued to grant an increase according to his wisdom. Today we have a full-time pastor serving our Hmong members. First German is still a bi-lingual congregation!