rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Great Audience at Historic St. John Lutheran Churc...":
It was a wonderful recital. We sat toward the front, on the pulpit side. Pastor Hastings spent a considerable amount of time talking with those who were curious about the history of St. John's. I found out that he has been there 25 years now. All of us had the opportunity to see how well kept this beautiful church is. They certainly are not made like this anymore. The acoustics were very good. The altar is still in very good condition. We spoke with some members after the recital. They were grateful that we had attended and we were invited to the regular 10 AM Sunday worship. I am looking forward to returning.
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GJ - Hundreds of WELS members and pastors are near the Mother Church of WELS - Historic St. John Lutheran in downtown Milwaukee. They should take a trip to their mother church - St. John.
St. John is the congregation of Bading and Brenner, certainly two of the patriarchs of WELS. Another patriarch - Gausewitz - was at Grace, Milwaukee, but he is deliberately forgotten in the synod and not even on Huebner's website (as far as I could tell). Too bad Gausewitz did not go to Fuller or Gordon Conwell Babtist Seminary.
St. John should be used throughout the year by WELS. All the seminarians should be trained in its history. As I have learned from growing up in Moline, Illinois, home of John Deere, our history shapes us far more than we realize. Learning my own history has given me a new appreciation for that river town.
Many large group events could take place at St. John. I doubt that the DP will ever swallow his pride, repent, and apologize to the congregation. This is true of evil, devious men - they work overtime at justifying their sins, turning their wrongs into virtues, or making their victims out to be horrible monsters.
As Randall Schulz has explained - Pastor Kevin Hastings and the congregation have patiently taken care of that tremendous building and pipe organ. The federal government and Milwaukee have recognized it as a gem of history. Why not get to know it and appreciate it?
I suggest that friends of St. John Lutheran Church help in the upkeep and repair of the organ. Send regular donations to the church to show your support.
