The History of Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI: 1960-2000

Abstract

Matt Brown’s historical study traces the final decades of Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from 1960 to 2000. Drawing on congregational records, interviews, and personal reflections, Brown documents the church’s transition from a thriving, German-speaking congregation to a small, aging membership navigating urban demographic shifts. Despite declining numbers and financial challenges, Jerusalem remained committed to Christian education, Gospel preaching, and synodical support. The paper highlights key moments, including the congregation’s outreach efforts, struggles with racial integration, and eventual partnership with St. Philip’s Lutheran Church, culminating in the transfer of property and shared ministry. Brown emphasizes the congregation’s enduring faithfulness to Scripture and its legacy of planting Gospel seeds in the community. The study concludes with a personal testimony of how Jerusalem’s ministry bore fruit generations later, affirming the lasting impact of its witness. —Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)