The Ethnological Impact of the German-Russian Immigrant on the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

Abstract

Mark Zarling’s essay explores how German-Russian immigrants influenced the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), particularly in liturgical customs, education, doctrinal practices, and daily life. These immigrants, ethnically German but settled in Russia before coming to America, maintained strong cultural and religious identities. Their emphasis on the German language, Lutheran worship, and parochial education shaped congregations in places like Benton Harbor, Michigan, and Akaska, South Dakota. Zarling highlights their deep commitment to hymn singing, conservative worship practices, and resistance to mixed marriages. He also examines the rise of pietistic movements like the Stundists and Brotherhood, which sometimes led to doctrinal challenges and unionistic tendencies. Despite occasional conflicts, many German-Russians strengthened WELS’s confessional stance. Their folk medicine and superstitions had limited but notable cultural impact. Zarling concludes that this ethnic group significantly molded WELS’s development, both positively and negatively, and deserves recognition for its lasting influence.

—Summary generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)