Featured video:

Professor Joel Otto

The WELS Historical Institute celebrates the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod at a dinner at Salem Lutheran Church and School. The original constitution for WELS was adopted on May 26, 1850. That adoption took place at the first synod convention, which was held in a small log cabin church at Salem Lutheran Church in Granville. WELS President Mark Schroeder and former WELS President Karl Gurgel began the program with their greetings, and Professor Joel Otto gave a special presentation on the history of WELS.

Prof. Joel Otto chairs the WELS 175th Anniversary Committee (2025). Since 2011 he has served at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, where he teaches church history and education and is the dean of students.