Looking at recent 175th anniversary events

Last week, WELS Historical Institute hosted two events to commemorate the 175th anniversary of WELS.

On Wed., May 28, 2025, WELS Historical Institute hosted the WELS 175th anniversary dinner at Salem, Milwaukee, Wis., in celebration of the founding of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The original constitution for WELS was adopted on May 26, 1850. That adoption took place at the first synod convention, which was held in a small log cabin church at Salem Lutheran Church in Granville. WELS President Mark Schroeder and former President Karl Gurgel greeted the attendees. Prof. Joel Otto, chairman of WELS Historical Institute, gave the main address highlighting the blessings of God’s grace to WELS through the years.

Then, on Sat., May 31, Rev. Jeremiah Gumm led a tour of the historic Union Cemetery. Union Cemetery was originally founded as St. Johannes Lutheran Cemetery in 1851 by St. John’s Lutheran Church (8th and Vliet) in Milwaukee. In 1865, it merged with the cemeteries of Grace (WELS) and Trinity (LCMS) of downtown Milwaukee. During the tour, Gumm shared the rich history of many early WELS founders and leaders interred there, including Rev. Johannes Muehlhaeuser, who helped select and purchase the grounds, as well as Rev. Johann Bading, Dr. Adolf Hoenecke, and Prof. John Schaller.