WELS 175: Christ through us

Most institutions, including churches, celebrate anniversaries at quarter-century increments. This marks about a generation. The same is true for WELS. Throughout its history, it has celebrated quarter-century anniversaries. 2025 will mark the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Wisconsin Synod at Salem Lutheran Church on the northwest side of Milwaukee. The Lord of the Church has blessed the proclamation of Christ’s saving work to and through the Wisconsin Synod for 175 years. Much has happened since May 26, 1850. Much has happened since the last time the synod marked its anniversary in 2000.

To help the members and congregations of WELS learn about God’s blessings to our church body for 175 years, various resources and events are being planned.

• A new book narrating the history of WELS, Christ Through Us: A Pictorial History of the Wisconsin Synod, 1850-2025, has been written and will be released in the summer of 2025.
• A revised and expanded edition by John Brenner of Edward Fredrich’s The Wisconsin Synod Lutherans will be available in the spring of 2025. This is a more scholarly and detailed look at the synod’s history.
• Monthly print-ready bulletin inserts will cover key turning points and events in WELS history. The text and images will also be available as short articles for use in newsletters or social media posts.
• An interactive timeline of WELS history will highlight key events with images and links to other information.
• Monthly videos will feature interviews with WELS historians and also explore interesting aspects of WELS history.
• WELS Connection videos will highlight the history of our synod and our current and future gospel ministry efforts.
• Various presentations on WELS historical topics will be offered throughout the year sponsored by WELS Historical Institute.
• Worship resources are being developed for WELS congregations to celebrate the anniversary, the new ten-year strategic plan, and the Reformation as a three-week series at the end of October.
• Forward in Christ will feature the synod anniversary in various ways throughout the year.

Most of these resources will be available at welshistoricalinstitute.org/175th.

An anniversary like this can help congregations and members remember and give thanks for God’s many blessings that he has showered on us through the gospel. We can learn about how God has brought our church body through challenging times so that WELS is what it is today: a church body committed to the truth of God’s Word, striving to faithfully proclaim Christ throughout the world.

By Prof. Joel Otto, chairman of the 175th anniversary committee and dean of students at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis.