History Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

1 history

1.1 origins in watertown
1.2 merger concordia seminary
1.3 wels reopens seminary
1.4 move wauwatosa
1.5 permanent campus in mequon

history

wisconsin lutheran seminary has been located in several different places throughout history.

origins in watertown

the origins of school date 1863, when main sources of clergy in wisconsin synod mission societies in germany. wisconsin synod moved more conservative , confessional theological stance, theological character of clergy german mission societies came question. furthermore, became more , more difficult provide pastors in adequate numbers. alleviate these problems wisconsin synod formed theological school of wisconsin synod in watertown, wisconsin. first students met in professor s home. in 1864 wisconsin synod in convention resolved provide permanent building seminary. 5 acres (20,000 m) of watertown land purchased $600.00. ground broken on july 22, 1864, on campus of luther preparatory school. building dedicated on september 14, 1865. third floor of building used seminary classes, , first 2 levels used synod s college, northwestern college.

merger concordia seminary

because of small enrollments , increasing desire enter fellowship lutheran church–missouri synod, school merged lutheran church–missouri synod s concordia seminary in 1870. part of merger, agreed missouri synod should actively participate in northwestern college providing professor school, , assisting school financial support. wisconsin send students st. louis, provide professor, , contribute financial support concordia. each synod retain management of own institution. 6 wisconsin synod students began study in st. louis in march, 1870.

wels reopens seminary

in 1878, wels reopened seminary in milwaukee, wisconsin prevent assimilation of entire synod missouri synod. wisconsin synod leaders stressed doctrinal fellowship possible missouri synod without organizational unity. since seminary no longer able share building northwestern college, seminary used other facilities in watertown.

the move wauwatosa

because increasing number of seminarians outgrew watertown facility, new seminary campus opened in 1893 in wauwatosa, wisconsin 31 students. facility two-story building full basement , large attic. first floor held 2 classrooms, chapel, faculty lounge, several study rooms, , restroom in each of 2 wings. second floor mirrored layout of first floor, large hall in center. space later occupied library. basement contained kitchen , dining area, washroom, , recreation room. years later, attic finished , outfitted additional student quarters.

a permanent campus in mequon

as enrollment @ wisconsin lutheran seminary continued increase, synod , seminary administrators realized bigger facility become necessary in coming years. synod purchased 80-acre (320,000 m) farm in present-day mequon, wisconsin, near village of thiensville $25,000. seminary professor john philip koehler given charge of general design, incorporating style , features of wartburg castle in eisenach, germany.

ground broken construction in 1928, , cornerstone laid same year. process of moving new campus began in summer of 1929 , first classes held in autumn semester of 1929.