Who We Are

                  IMMANUEL THROUGH THE YEARS by Mary Baumann
Click Above for Mary's Monthly Reviews
(Mary has been a member of Immanuel since 1936 and also served as church secretary and bookkeeper for many years.)                                      

At the Turn of the Century

In November of 1900 Pastor Ferdinand Haeuser of Portage visited Lutherans who had moved to Madison from Portage, Reedsburg, Loganville, and Adams County. He conducted his first Madison service for them in German on Sunday evening, January 13, 1901, under the aus­pices of the “German Lutheran Synod of Missouri.” Thirty-one adults joined to worship in Our Savior’s Church at East Washing­ton Avenue and South Hancock Street.

 

Once a month Pastor Haeuser conducted services. Attendance at times reached 61.

 

Later that year the fledgling con­gregation sent a call to a candi­date from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. Robert C. Kissling arnved in August of 1901.

 

Pastor Kissling held services every Sunday afternoon and evening in Our Savior’s Church. Sunday School started in October. When the church was unavailable the congregation met in the home of the C. H. Schroeder’s or in the Wallschlaeger Tailor Shop. From April of 1902 until a year later, services we’s conducted in the Norwegian Chapel at East Wash­ington Avenue and South Second Street. Worship alternated in German and English.

 

The 1903 Charter

 

Five charter members, Henry Brockman, Henry Groh, Erick Radtke, August Rieder and August Ruebe, organized the Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Congregation on March 24, 1903.  Pastor Kissling loft for another call at Christmas time in 1904. For 21 months the congregation was served by pastors from Edger-ton Merrill, Portage, Milwaukee, Clinton, and Harvard, Illinois.  Pastor Conrad Martens of Cayuga, Illinois was installed in Septem­her of 1906. In April of 1907 the congregation incorporated. Then in July, Imn,anuel joined the Missouri Synod.

 

Our First Building, 1908

In August of that same year the congregation purchased a lot at corner of Jenifer and Ingersoll Streets. Building construction began in 1908. Under pastor Martens, money for the church came from members, neighboring congregations and loans. The Watertown congrega­tion donated the altar, pulpit, bap­tismal font, hymnboards, altar covers and crucifix. Individuals donated the organ, stoves and miscellaneous items. The church was dedicated on October 11, 1908. The Edgerton congregation chartered a train to bring 120 members and a choir to join in the celebration. Over 1,000 attended the three services. Immanuel boasted 50 communicant members. With his own funds, Pastor Martens built a parsonage on the church lot. Immanuel bought it from him in 1911. The same pattern was followed in 1913 with a garage, paid for by the church in 1918.  In 1913 the Young People’s Society underwrote the purchase of the pipe organ. Contributions, plus a donation from the Carnegie Foun­dation, completed the total cost.  Then in 1924 the congregation purchased the half-lot next to the church on Jenifer Street for future development.

 

From Two Languages to One

 

Sunday School was taught in English for the first time in Octo­ber of 1908. However, both English and German were used for confir­mation instruction until 1917. Services continued to alternate in English and German until July of 1922. After that, English was used each week and German services were held twice a month. German services were discontinued in October of 1934.

 

Early Immanuel Pastors

 

Pastor Martens resigned in May of 1922. Rev. Win. Lochner from Kilbourne, Wisconsin was installed. In June of 1927 Pastor Lochner moved to Milwaukee.  Pastor Lochner was replaced by Rev. F. C. Brandhorst of Norfolk, Nebraska in September of 1927. During the 20-year Brandhorst era the number of communicants grew from 383 in 1928 to 900 at the pastor’s death in 1948. On October 3, 1948, Rev. Alfred F. Ziehlsdorff was installed.

 

An Jmrnanuel Confirmation Class in 1929. Rev. F. C. Bntndhorst (center).

 

Planning and Expanding

 

In 1929 more church seating was needed. Extra pews were squeezed in and the balcony was extended.

A Thanksgiving service in Feb­ruary of 1938 marked the end of debt, but continuing growth of the congregation necessitated a build­ing fund for future development. The building site under consider­ation was a lot at 1021 Spaight Street on Lake Monona. In August of 1941 the congregation purchased the 132 x 375 ft. lot. The lot included a home which was improved for use as a parson­age. The former parsonage was then used for the Sunday School. By 1948 the need for a new church was obvious. The church Building Planning Committee drafted a report which concentrated on the selection of an architect. Follow­ing a survey of other churches and their architects, Immanuel selected Frank A. Abrahamson of St. Paul in 1949.

 

Building the Present Structure

 

The congregation voted to pro­ceed with plans for the new church building. Professional fund raise’s were hired and 448 member-families were solicited. Final general plans were approved by the congregation in March of 1954. At the 1955 Annual Meeting, the congregation authorized the trustees to take bids as soon as final specifications were completed. Ground was broken on October 2, 1955. The cornerstone was laid on June 3, 195~ in a ceremony which included an inspiring sermon by Rev. W. W. Stuenkel, President of  Concordia College in Milwaukee.

The congregation moved into the new church on the first of Feb­ruary 1957. It was dedicated on June 2 of that year.

 

The Present Organ

 

In 1954 the Organ Committee met with the church architect and a church organ architect and de­cided on an organ suitable for our new church. In the early part of 1956 the Committee recommended that the Church Council purchase the pres­ent 24 rank organ. The congre­gation overwhelmingly approved the purchase.

Layt up the cornerstone of the present Irnynanuel Lutheran Church on June 3, 1956. Pastor Alfred F. Ziehlsdouff (right).

 

I)edication ‘4 flit present Church

structure, 1952

Madison Lutheran School

 

As early as 1914 Immanuel con­sidered opening a parochial school, but found it unfeasihle with so few children. In the 1930’s some chil­dren attended the Holy Cross School.

 

In 1942 the Madison Lutheran School was formed by East Side, Holy Cross, Immanuel, and Our Savior’s congregations. Classes were held at the East Side Church. In 1945 the old Madison Harvey School at Jenifer and Brearly Streets was purchased. Monona, St. Paul, and Mt. Olive congregations later joined in the project. Students also came from Bethel, Luther Memorial, St. John’s and Trinity Lutheran Church. Enroll­ment grew to a total of 260. Costs and problems also grew. Inimanuel purchased the property in 1962 and continued operation. Expenses continued to soar. In 1965 the church closed the school and turned to a weekday school for teaching children.

 

Immanuel’s Modem Era

 

In 1956 and 1957 Pastor Ziehls­dorff was assisted by Pastor Ralph Weinhold. After he left to attend the university, Pastor Ziehlsdorff was assisted by Pastor Curtis E. Huber until 1961. Pastor Luther B. Otto was In­stalled as assistant pastor in July In December of 1963 Pastor Otto was called to Immanuel as full-time pastor. He was installed by his father, Pastor Arthur Otto, in February of 1964.

 

The first Immanuel Lutheran Church on Jeriifer and Ingersoll Streets, 1908-1957

 

Growing Memhership

 

Church membership reached a peak of 1,600 in 1963 under the guidance of Pastor Ziehlsdorff and Pastor Otto.

 

Growth of Christian Activities and Concerns

 

In January of 1964 Rev. F. Peter Brinkman was called to Immanuel as a special assistant pastor, pro­viding the pastor with a chain of responsibility to the Synod. Fol­lowing Pastor Ziehlsdorffs death, Pastor Brinkman temporarily assisted in pastoral functions.

Rev. George F. Lobien was called to help meet Immanuels needs in youth work, adult education, evangelism and counseling in May of 1964. He was installed in July as assistant pastor. In February of 1965 Pastor Otto accepted a call from Calvary Lutheran Chapel in in Madison.

 

         

Rev. Luther B. Otto (left) , pastor 1964-196 Rev. F. Peter Brinkman(right) Rev. Gcorge F.Lobien, pastor 1964-1970.

Teaching Innovations

 

Following the closing of the Lutheran Christian Day School in July of 1965, the congregation began a weekday school to teach children through 8th grade once a week, and a plan for teaching all ager groups beyond grade school. Pastor Otto's leadership retreat in 1964 led to the inaugutation of the Bethel Series congregational phase, a two- year overview of the Bible, in the fall of 1966.

 

Pastors Since 1965

 

After Pastor Otto’s move to Calvary Chapel, Immanuel called Pastor Gerhardt R. Hillmer as senior pastor and installed him in July of 1965. Pastor Hillmer and Pastor Lohien served together at Immanuel for the next 5 years. Pastor Lobien, nearing the time limit of obtaining his doctorate, received a leave of absence froni May to October of 1970. He then accepted a call from Lutheran Church of St. Andrew in Silver Spring, Maryland. Pastor Thomas Going, a young missionary back from Japan, offered his services to Immanuel as second pastor. lie accepted a one year contract to begin when his mission responsiblities were over in June of 1973. After renewing his contract Pastor Going accepted a call from Immanuel and was instaded again in January of 1976. The pastor served the congregation in admin­istration, evangelism, education, stewardship and youth work until he moved to Indianapolis in the summer of 1977.  During this time the council took part in a leadership conference where emphasis was on the pastor being an enabler,” one who trains his people to carry out the work of the Lord. This resulted in Pastor Hillmer’s Wednesday night study series “Life with God.”

 

Sons In Ministry

 

Robert Rosenau was ordained in 1940, Paul Hoenk in 1950, Ralph Unger in 1952, John Helmke in 1964 and Jay Brigham in 1977.

 

Chaplain

 

Walter Baumann celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination in October of 1971. He was given an honorary doctorate.

 

Stained Glass Windows

 

In 1963, at the time of Pastor Ziehlsdorff’s death, a memorial fund was begun for a resurrection window. Dedication of the window, designed by Peter Dohmen, was held on Easter in 1966.  In October of 1977 stained glass windows were added in the bays on each side of the church.

Sunday school in the 50’s.

 

Adult Club

 

The Adult Club first met in Octo­her of 1965 with 20 people but grew rapidly to a group of about 60. Over 65-year-old members meet monthly for lunch, devotions and social hour. Cards are the favorite pastime, hut the club occasionally takes a sightseeing trip or dines at an area restaurant.

 

Ladies Aid — Women’s Guild

 

The Ladies Aid first organized in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in December of 1907. In 1965 the group changed its name to Women’s Guild and began participating in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League by attending workshops, retreats and prayer meetings. The Guild concentrates on a variety of activities for the home church as well as other missions. It has provided money for debt retirement, building funds, a bap­tismal font and the resurrection window.

 

The group was active in under­writing the purchase of the 1935 organ, hymnals, tape recorder, drapes, stage hangings, tinted glass in the Lakeview Room, ladies lounge furnishings, a glass display case and many pieces of furniture and furnishings. The women sewed for the Red Cross, sent food and clothing overseas, sewed choir robes and sponsored mother-daughter banquets. The organization has been respon­sible for the yearly upkeep of the church kitchen, as well as for rais­ing funds for missions, Bethesda Lutheran Home, Lutheran Chil­dren’s Friend Society, and the Dakota Boys Ranch.

Vacntion Bible School, 197.5.

In 1955 the group joined the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Since then they have par­ticipated in the conferences and missionary collections. Philea hosted an annual ice cream social for the congregation and the neighborhood from 1971 through 1977. Providing nursery care during services is a vital Philea project.

 

 PhiIea

 

Philea, originally an organization for young married women under 40, was formed in January of 1941. Age and marital status require­ments were dropped in 1948 and

1949.

 

Through the years, the society has contributed to the Madison Lutheran School, Lutheran Chil­dren’s Home, Lutheran Children’s Friend Society and the Bethesda Lutheran Home. Projects such as the sale of note­paper, baked goods and church plates have provided money for many useful items in the parson­age, school and church.

 

9

Rev. Gerhardt I?. Hi/liner, p~stor 198.5-present.

Rev. Thomas Going, pastor 1978-1977

. 

Altar Guild

                        

The Altar Guild began in March of 1941 with 27 ladies. Its members prepare for each service, prepare communion vessels, care for altar linens and all furnishings of the sanctuary, and foster better under­standing of the liturgical heritage of the Lutheran Church.

Since 1943 the Guild has accepted numerous free will offerings and memorial gifts for Immanuel, in­clud~ng a new private communion set, a crystal cruet, linens and service, robes, white albs, vest­ments and flags.

 

Dorcas Society

 

The Dorcas Society, a group of women interested in handcrafts, was organized in February of 1950. The ladies sew and tie quilts, make rag rugs and carpets and do other handwork. The group spon­sors bazaars and rummage sales to sell its crafts and other items contributed by church members. Funds from these activities go to missions and social ministries, such as the Bethesda Lutheran Home and Lutheran Children’s Friend Society.

 

SOCIAL MINISTRY

 

Initially, members visited the sick and shut-in on an individual basis. In April of 1970 a Committee for Mission Opportunities and Social Ministry was formed by Pastor Lohien and a small group of mem­bers.

 

Family Service

 

The Committee began its Social Ministry by providing a well-baby clinic in the church.

Since then participants in the Social Ministry Department have collected food for a pantry and money for emergencies, and assisted with housework and financial problems for those In need.

 

Refuge for Refugees

 

In July of 1975 Immanuel spon­sored 17 Vietnamese refugees un­til they could manage for them­selves. The first arrivals were a young Vietnamese refugee couple and their baby. Shortly there­after, brothers, sisters, spouses and one more baby arrived. Again Immanuel provided housing, fur­nishings, counseling and help in locating employment. Within a year, and two babies later, the families became self-sufficient.

 

Community Service

 

Various local organizations and groups have been meeting at Immanuel when no congrega­tional activities are scheduled. Recovery, Inc. therapy groups have met at Immanuel for eight years. Others include several Dane County Social Service groups and United Cerebral Palsy.

 

Servug the Elderly

 

An elderly nutrition program, suI)sidized by the Federal govern­ment, began in 1974. Through the Social Ministry, it continues to serve neighborhood people over 60 years of age.

 

A Sound Idea

 

A tape ministry began in April 1972 to provide a tape recorder arid tape of worship services for the church’s shut-in members. This expanded through the mone­tary assistance of the Immanuel Lutheran Endowment Founda­tion to include a tape deck for recording, a tape copier, numerous cassette tape recorders, and an adequate supply of tapes. This ministry now serves all shut-in members with tapes of services. It also supplies Bible class partici­pants with copies of their missed sessions.

 

Endowment Foundation

 

The Immanuel Lutheran Church Endowment Foundation was formed in July of 1968 to solicit, receive and administer gifts, grants, bequests and other con­tributions.

 

In 1978 the foundation had $30,000 in general funds, $100,000 from the Ella Wieg estate and $27,000 in the organ fund. The general fund has provided financial sup­port for the Lutheran Hour radio program, scholarships, Immanuels tape ministry, the Youth Jubilee trip to Kansas City, delegates to the Sunday School Convention in Chicago, and many other activities. The Wieg estate funds invested by the foundation provide income that is distributed by the congre­gation to selected missions, chad-table and outreach organizations.

 

Newsletter

 

Beginning in fall of 1959 “The Messenger” supplied Immanuel members with information on meetings, services, organizations and church functions. Then in May of 1971 a parishioner began editing the “Immanuel-Lite.” Cheery with pictures, biographical sketches and up-to-date church information, the paper was eagerly received for several years.  Without any replacement editor, its last issue was published in December of 1976. The communication problem was resolved when the church secre­tary began editing a newsletter in January of 1978.

 

Blood Donor Program

 

The Blood Donor Program began when Harold Muenkel — one of the firefighters who gave count­less pints — created interest at Immanuel in 1962. Members of Immanuel gave over 200 pints in 1962. Iminanuel gave more than any other church and was third in clubs donating. The program is still active.

  

 Young People’s Society

 

Young people organized in Octo­ber of 1906 and met with occasional interruptions throughout the years. Then in 1929 they affiliated with the Walther League.  A Young Adult Club was formed in 1948. Later— in 1951 both a junior and senior Walther League were organized. In the ‘SO’s and ‘60’s affiliation with the Walther League continued. Mimeographed issues of “Lantern” and “Herald” were published.

 

During the ‘70’s the youth group (high school age) remained an independent organization. Within the framework of the 1971 con­stitution, the young people were under the guidance of the Youth Department.  In the ‘70’s the youth group had a weekly Bible Class and a monthly Sunday night social meeting. At times the church hired part-time youth leaders —usually Univer­sity students — to work with young people and their plans. Most recently, council representatives and their souses have served as youth leaders.

 

Men’s Club

 

The Men’s Club began in January of 1919 with 50 members. The organization was formed to aid in producing loyal members of the congregation and to promote the spiritual, intellectual and social welfare of its members. Through the years, the club has sponsored many projects includ­ing a bulletin board outside the church, the printing of the “Capi­tal City Lutheran’ from 1923 to 1929, the celebration of Rev. E. A. Pankow’s 85th birthday and the 59th year of his ministry in 1934, yearly canvassing of the congre­gation for subscription to the “Lutheran Witness” until 1949, sending sermons to servicemen and shut-ins, as well as the father-son banquets.

Church Government

 

On February 22, 1970, Immanuel became one of the first churches in the Missouri Synod to give its women members the right to vote.

The December 1971 constitution dropped the voting age to 18 years and provided for a non-voting youth representative on the church council.

 

The Council was composed of 12 members elected at large. They organized themselves as four officers and representatives of the departments of Education, Worship, Youth, Social Ministry, Evangelism, Stewardship, Finance and Maintenance.

Church Council in 1972.

Worship

 

About the time Pastor Lobien arrived at Immanuel, non-tradi­tional liturgy became popular, especially folk services. Folk sing­ers — Allelu Singers — came from Calvary Lutheran Chapel to assist lmmanuel in learning a few of the modern liturgies.

 

There were some young members who played guitars, providing instrumental background for the singing. One folk service was held every other month in the early ‘70’s.

 

Greater variety was introduced into worship at Immanuel by hold­ing “people’s-choice” hymn ser­vices. Even some hymns not in the hymnal became popular in the ‘70’s, including “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace.”

 

Making a Joyful Noise

 

In addition to teaching at Madison Lutheran School, Lothar Stolper played the organ and directed the choir from 1950 to 1961. At that time, Pastor Huher directed the singing. Then Donald Brauer was organist and choir director until June 1963. John Rafoth took over in October 1963 until 1965, followed by M. William Gervais until the summer of 1969.

 

In fall of that year Steven Rohde became organist at Immanuel and Joanne Schoenfeld was choir direc­tor. The following year Mr. Rohde also began directing the choir. He has been succeeded by the con­gregation’s own Roger Hanson, engineer by profession and musi­cian by hobby, who plays the organ and also directs the choirs.

 

75 Years of Service

 

As we look back at Immanuel’s first 75 years, we can see that our ministry has evolved in a way most parishioners could not have imagined in 1903. Our membership grew to its larg­est numbers during the late fifties and early sixties. By then the small neighborhood church that was Jmmanuel had reached out well beyond the boundaries of Madison’s sixth ward.

 

In more recent years the outlying suburbs have burgeoned, and with their expansion has come a num­be, of new, neighborhood congre­ations. As a downtown or inner-city church, Immanuel still serves members in all areas of Madison, but our ministry is taking a differ­ent form and is being directed to different concerns than in the past. Our work continues, and we face new, exciting challenges in the years to come. We look forward to them with confidence at Immanuel.

 

 

AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE,

WE WILL SERVE THE LORD

— Joshua 24:15