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