WELS 175th Anniversary
Christ Through Us
WELS History on YouTube
Watch the WELS Historical Institute YouTube channel for more about WELS History!
Christ through us for 175 years
1850-2025
On May 26, 1850, three pastors met at Salem in Granville, Wisconsin (now Milwaukee) for the constituting convention of the Wisconsin Synod. In 2025, WELS is celebrating the 175th anniversary of that small beginning.
175 YEARS OF WELS HISTORY
Christ Through Us
Bible Study
Wisconsin Synod, 1850-2025
The Wisconsin Synod Lutherans
A historical overview of WELS beginning with the Synod’s roots in Germany to present day.
Celebrate the 175th Anniversary of WELS by learning more about our synod’s history.
Share information about WELS’ 175th anniversary with your congregation members and friends by accessing the 175th anniversary resources.
175 Years of God’s Grace
It is the prayer of the committee that this anniversary will increase awareness of both the importance of knowing and studying our synod’s history and a growing appreciation for God’s grace to WELS for 175 years. There are very few Lutheran church bodies which have retained their identity and can trace their history as far back as WELS can. That is a gift of God’s grace working through his Word. Our synod has had the privilege of proclaiming that message of God’s grace in Christ for 175 years. This is a story worth remembering and telling.
Dr. John Brenner on WELS and the Missouri Synod
Dr. John Brenner, formerly of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, talks about a defining moment in WELS History which resulted in terminating fellowship with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and the breaking up of the Synodical Conference. Dr. Brenner traces the timeline of events that lead to “the split” and how that affected the WELS.
“Just as the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, so also was the very small beginning of our synod.” – J. Muehlhaeuser
The logo
The WELS anniversary logo helps us remember God’s grace to our church body as the gospel of Christ has come to us and gone out through us for 175 years.
Christ Through Us
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Anniversary Resources
Numerous resources continue to be produced and made available to help congregations and individuals celebrate this anniversary and learn more about the history of WELS. Available resources include:
- NPH WELS history publications
- Interactive timeline of WELS history
- Articles on key individuals in WELS history
- Ready-made bulletin inserts
- Worship resources
- Forward In Christ anniversary features
- Videos on the WELS Historical Institute YouTube Channel
- Anniversary events
- 175th apparel and commemorative items
Access all of the 175th congregational, promotional, and educational resources below.