Timeline
1848
  • Pastor Carl Goldammer of Newtonburg begins serving a group of German Lutherans in Manitowoc.

  • 1853
  • A lot is purchased on 10th and Marshall for $110 for a future church building.

  • 1855
  • The group adopts a constitution on February 7, with 71 signatures. It is called the "Ev. Lutheran Trinity Congregation of Manitowoc, Wisconsin," changed later that year to the "German Ev. Lutheran Church."
  • Pastor Goldammer becomes full-time resident pastor.
  • Property on 8th and Marshall is purchased for $400.

  • 1856
  • First German hosts the Wisconsin Synod convention in May.
  • The church building is dedicated during the convention on May 18.

  • 1858
  • Pastor Goldammer is called to Burlington, Wisconsin.
  • Pastor Philip Koehler is installed.

  • 1860
  • A lot is donated for a new school.
  • Parsonage schoolhouse is enlarged.
  • Name is changed to "First German Ev. Lutheran Church in Manitowoc, Wisconsin."

  • 1863
  • Balconies added to both sides of the nave to gain more seating capacity in church.

  • 1864
  • Northwestern College, Watertown founded.
  • 184 families hold membership; 193 children in school.
  • The first teacher is called. (Children had been taught by the pastor before this.)

  • 1867
  • Pastor Koehler leaves First German, and is succeeded by Pastor O. Ebert who served 11 months.

  • 1869
  • During the pastorate of Rev. Quehl, a proposal to enlarge the church building was rejected. A contract is signed for our present church building ($13,000).

  • 1873
  • Synod President Joh. Bading preaches for dedication of new church building, December 21.

  • 1874
  • Pastor C. Huebner is succeeded by Pastor Gustave Thiele.

  • 1876
  • Pastor Thiele, having accepted a call to our seminary is succeeded by Pastor Franz Pieper.

  • 1878
  • Pastor Pieper is called to Concordia Seminary and is succeeded by his brother, Pastor Reinhold Pieper.

  • 1880
  • A church band (orchestra) is organized.

  • 1882
  • Lot is purchased south of the church; a parsonage is built.

  • 1884
  • D.M.L.C established in New Ulm, MN.

  • 1887
  • Michigan Lutheran Seminary established.

  • 1891
  • Pastor Pieper is called to Concordia Seminary, Springfield, Illinois, and is succeeded by Pastor Karl Machmiller.
  • Northwestern Publishing House founded

  • 1892
  • Male Choir is organized.

  • 1893
  • Seminary in Watertown is dedicated.
  • Apache Indian Mission is begun

  • 1894
  • The church is wired for electricity.

  • 1896
  • The Ladies' Aid is organized.
  • D.M.L.C goes Co-ed.
  • Lutheran Children’s Friends Society founded.

  • 1912
  • First English Service is conducted.

  • 1914
  • English services are conducted every Sunday.

  • 1916
  • Lutheran Men's Club is organized.

  • 1918
  • WELS Campus Ministry in Milwaukee

  • 1919
  • New pipe organ purchased and installed.

  • 1923
  • Pastor Theophil Uetzmann becomes pastoral assistant.

  • 1927
  • Immanuel Lutheran is established on the north side with a gift of $55,000 from First German. Pastor Uetzmann is the pastor.

  • 1928
  • Pastor Machmiller retires after 37 years in Manitowoc and is succeeded by Pastor Leonard Koeninger.

  • 1929
  • Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary relocates in Mequon, WI

  • 1930
  • Congregation celebrates it's Diamond Jubilee.

  • 1938
  • Site decided on for west side church to be named "Bethany Ev. Lutheran Church".

  • 1941
  • Church services are held at a west-side location, 28th and Wollmer.

  • 1942
  • Grace Lutheran is built through a loan from First German.
  • December, FG has drawn up all necessary agreements to build Bethany on the west side as an independent church.

  • 1943
  • Bethany Lutheran is established; Pastor Armin Roekle, assistant at First German, is called as pastor.

  • 1947
  • Teacherage purchased at 835 North 8th Street.

  • 1950
  • Basement is put under the church, including kitchen, assembly room, and rest rooms.
  • Wisconsin E. Lutheran Synod Centenial.

  • 1953
  • Rhodesian Mission (now Zambia)
  • Fox Valley Lutheran High School

  • 1955
  • Congregation observes its centennial.
  • Vicar Program established.

  • 1955
  • “THE LAST SUPPER” carving given to First German by O.E. Lindemann; carved by Alois Lang.

  • 1956
  • MLHS begins classes in old Madison School building on 6th & Park, rent is $1.00 per year

  • 1957
  • School addition (3 classrooms, library and gymnasium) are built adjoining the church.

  • 1960
  • Lutheran Pioneers incorporated.
  • Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee opens.

  • 1961
  • Africal Medical mission in Mwembezi, Zambia.
  • Fellowship of Wisconsin/Missouri Synod severed.

  • 1962
  • WELS Mission Work begins in Japan.

  • 1965
  • Fellowship of Wisconsin Synod with Synodical Conference withdrawn.

  • 1966
  • Pastor Koeninger retires after serving in Manitowoc for 38 years and is succeeded by Pastor Norval Kock.

  • 1967
  • Old parsonage on southeast corner of 8th and Marshall is razed; new parsonage is built in its place.
  • New MLHS facility is dedicated.

  • 1969
  • First German joins the Manitowoc Lutheran High School Federation.
  • WELS Mission in Mexico and Puerto Rico is started.

  • 1970
  • The Lutheran Mobile Clinic at Libouque, Malawai, Africa

  • 1971
  • Lutheran Bible Institute and Seminary in Zambia, Africa is dedicated.

  • 1973
  • 100th anniversary of church building.

  • 1974
  • WELS Mission work in Columbia, South America

  • 1975
  • Fellowship of WELS with Lutheran Confessional Church of Sweden.

  • 1976
  • A proposal to relocate to property on South 14th Street is rescinded; new entry and offices are added to the church; four classrooms are added to the school; old school building is razed.

  • 1979
  • Pastor Kock is called to New Ulm, Minnesota, and is succeeded by Pastor Arno Wolfgramm.
  • Martin Lutheran Prep. School at Prairie Du Chien, WI is dedicated.

  • 1980
  • Pastor Leonard Koeninger, son of the former pastor, preaches for 125th anniversary service on October 5.

  • 1981
  • Fellowship of WELS with Christ the King Lutheran Synod of Nigeria established,

  • 1982
  • WELS services in all 50 states

  • 1986
  • Kathy Knuth, a daughter of congregation, is commissioned as a nurse to Zambia for three years.

  • 1987
  • Church redecorated and rededicated on March 22.

  • 1988
  • Walter Sievert recognized by congregation on his 40th Anniversary in the teaching ministry.

  • 1989
  • Mrs. Darla Sonntag recognized by the congregation on her 25th Anniversary in the teaching ministry.

  • 1990
  • 135th Anniversary with son of congregation Pastor Gerald Free as guest preacher.

  • 1991
  • Second parsonage purchased, Pastor Bitter called as second pastor.

  • 1993
  • Vicar program at First German ends.

  • 1994
  • New constitution adopted.

  • 1995
  • Pastor Wolfgramm accepts call to Bulgaria.
  • Northwestern College and D.M.L.C amalgamate.

  • 1996
  • Pastor Otto arrives to assume dual pastorate.

  • 1997
  • Walter Sievert retires after 49 years of service. Kevin Buch is installed as principal.

  • 1998
  • New heating system using Manitowoc Utilities steam installed.
  • Celebration of 125th anniversary of church building.

  • 2000
  • Nau X. Lee installed as Evangelist Intern and begins weekly Hmong services.

  • 2001
  • Pastor Otto takes a call to San Diego, CA.

  • 2002
  • Pastor Rosenow is installed as second pastor

  • 2003
  • Pastor Bitter ends ministry at FG.
  • Pastor Hahm is assigned to FG from Seminary.

  • 2004
  • Orchestra is reorganized with students and adults

  • 2005
  • New addition is dedicated as kickoff for 150th Anniversary celebration Confirmation Reunion

  • 2006
  • April 9 - First day of 151st year Anniversary Service, Pastor Joel Otto guest preacher, banquet at Club Bil-Mar
  • MLHS celebrates 50th anniversary


  • © 2010 First German Evangelical Lutheran
    1025 South Eighth Street | Manitowoc, WI 54220