2/14/16

2605 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

(Google Images)

St. Lucas Evangelical Lutheran Church

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

"The present St. Lucas Church building at 2605 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. was erected in 1888. The steeple is 145′ high. In October of 1988, the church building received Landmark Designation by the Bay View Historical Society." (Link 4)

Organ (Link 3.)

"In the late 1800s, a group of German Lutherans gather to found Saint Lucas. They call it the Deutsche Evangelische Lutherische St. Lucas Germeinde zu Bay View, which means the German Evangelical Lutheran St. Lucas Congregation of Bay View.

"On Oct. 6, 1872, the founders dedicate Saint Lucas’ first building on land donated by the Milwaukee Iron Company at the corner of Kinnickinnic Avenue and Russell Street. The front of this building serves as church and school, and the rear portion is the pastor’s home. The cost of the building was $1,600.

"Saint Lucas’ congregation purchases a parcel located at 2605 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue in 1877, and the church and school move to this site. In 1879, Bay View incorporates as a village, becoming Milwaukee’s first suburb.

                                              Chancel, (Facebook Keith Schmidt)

"In 1887, Bay View’s residents vote to join the city of Milwaukee. The neighborhood becomes the 17th ward. 

"Saint Lucas purchases land and builds a four-room school at 648 E. Dover Street in 1891.

"In 1919, the congregation adds a large auditorium/gymnasium to the school building and installs four bowling alleys in the basement.

                                                            School 1961 (Link 2.)

"In 1961, Saint Lucas’ 70-year-old school is razed, except for the gymnasium and bowling alleys.

                                                       New School 1962 (Link 1)

"A 10-room school opens in 1962.

"In January of 1998, construction begins on a new school building.  Saint Lucas dedicates the current building in 1999." (Link 1.)

                                  St. Lucas Lutheran Church on Kinnickinnic Ave.
                                                     (Milwaukee Public Library)

************

Thank You: To Jan at the Milwaukee Public Library Photography Librarian for the street shot of St. Lucas Lutheran Church.

Link 1: http://saintlucasbayview.org/history

Link 2: http://www.saintlucas.org/church/home

Link 3:http://www.sipeorgan.com/2005/10/2005-st-lucas-lutheran-church-milwaukee.html

Link 4: http://www.doorsopenmilwaukee.org/buildings/st-lucas-evangelical-lutheran/

Prayer

God, be with persecuted Christians throughout the world. Amen (SW.)