Next Sunday Is the Organ Recital: Visit Historic St. John Lutheran Church, Milwaukee

The organ is a Barckhoff-Wangerin, meaning Barckhoff built it in 1890 and W expanded it somewhat in 1919 at the 50th anniversary of the mixed choir. In 1996 members did extensive work with the valves and leathering. It has 39 ranks.

"It really shakes St. John's church. Which takes a lot considering how big the building is. 

From the highest pitches to the low rumbles of the pedal; 

every note on the organ sings through the glorious space like a wonderul human voice."

But the WELS officials ran off to Willow Creek Community Church for training, where the minister brags about having no crosses at all, not even in the worship area. Mrs. Ichabod and I went downstairs at Willow Creek - to look for a cross. We finally found one. A witty reader asked, "In the storage room?"

The district mission board used to arrive at the Shepherd of Peace WELS in Columbus, with one member shouting, "Two pizzas to go."