Historical Institute
Salem Landmark Museum

Take a Tour
175th Anniversary
of Grace Lutheran Church
Event: June 11

A Historic Presentation
West Granville Cemetery
Tour one of the oldest cemeteries
Event: June 17

Find Salem Saints
Earliest Lutheran Congregation
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Event: August 5th

Attend presentation
Great Hymns of Faith
played on a refurbished reed organ
Event: September 9th

Come sing praises

Started in 1982, the purpose of the Institute is to preserve and present the story of God’s grace…

Salem Landmark Church & Museum

The WHI works to restore and preserve Salem Lutheran Landmark Church, constructed in 1863 and located in Milwaukee near the site of our synod’s founding in 1850.

The synod museum, on the lower level of the church, houses many artifacts and pictures from our synod’s past. Church and school groups of all ages are welcome to visit. The church and museum are open for tours, which need to be arranged in advance.

About Salem Book a Tour

WELS Historical Institute Journal & Newsletter

Since 1983 the Institute has published the WELS Historical Institute Journal and the Historical Institute Newsletter. Two issues of each appear every year for members. The Journal is designed to appeal to pastor, teacher, and layperson alike. It includes heavily researched articles interspersed with personal reminiscences, diaries, and translations of old letters and documents from leaders and laypeople—men and women of faith who have a story to tell. The Newsletter shares information about upcoming events, meetings, and matters of special interest to members of the Institute.

Access Journal & archive

Events

History of Grace Lutheran Church Milwaukee WI 175th Anniversary of the Congregation

June 11 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pmGrace Lutheran Church

West Granville Cemetery Tour

June 17 @ 9:30 am - 11:00 amWest Granville Cemetery

2023 WELS Synod Convention

July 31 - August 3

WELS Archives

The WELS Archives preserves WELS past for future generations.

A sister entity to the Institute is the WELS Archives. In 2016, the Wisconsin Synod hired its first official synod archivist and began moving the synod archives from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisconsin, to a purpose-built archival space, designed to preserve and organize historical WELS documents, books, and artifacts at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry, Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Are you conducting research? The WELS Archivist may be able to help!

In conjunction with the archives, a visitor’s center was built to help show the history and mission of WELS. The visitor center is open for tours during weekdays.

About WELS Archives & tour Visitor Center