Publications
The WELS Historical Institute Journal and other note worthy publications
The Journal
A historical record about WELS
The WELS Historical Institute Journal is published twice a year and is a collection of well written and researched articles about WELS history for historians, congregations and general readers. The Journal exudes historical perspectives and traditions that trigger conversations about the past and today.
Current Issue
Volume 44, Number 1, Spring 2026 of the WELS Historical Institute Journal.
A variety of articles make up the spring 2026 issue of the Journal, beginning with a labor of love from a grandson about his great grandfather. In the cover article, Pastor/Historian Ben Phelps offers the Wauwatosa Diary of Henry A. Koch 1910-1912. Phelps translated, annotated, and illustrated this basement-find family heirloom which “seeks to summarize Koch’s experiences as a student and to offer a personal perspective on the life and study of a Wauwatosa seminarian under the famed trifecta of J. P. Koehler, August Pieper, and John Schaller.”
In The German School of Princeton, Wisconsin, a local historian with a Roman Catholic background pays tribute to the influential Lutheran school in his community. This blogpost entry makes use newspaper reports, property records, and maps to trace this ever-changing story Lutheran Christian education in Princeton.
Professor Souksamay Phetsanghane along with a Luther Prep School Theological German class and background assist from Pastor Peter Prange, provide an 1881 previously untranslated essay of C. F. W. Walther. The background is the tragic Election Controversy that “disrupted and finally divided the Syndical Conference.” As the Latin title, Sententiam teneat, lingua, corrigat” implies, “how important it is to write and speak clearly in the practice of theology.”
The final article in this issue undoubtedly earns the honor of having the longest title in the history of the Journal and is the work of Freddy Krieger of Stevensville, Michigan. St. Matthew’s of Benton Harbor, Michigan is a Wisconsin Synod congregation with a storied history, and in this article the author recounts its somewhat complex 1898 founding. Through it all, “the ultimate success and durability of this Benton Harbor congregation of German Lutherans was evident well into the 21st century.”
Volume 44, Number 1 concludes with another Looking Back provided by Journal editor, John M. Brenner.
Left Henry Koch’s graduation photo 1912
Preview the Table of Contents
- “The Wauwatosa Diary of Henry A. Koch 1910-1912,” by Benjamin T. Phelps
- “The German School of Princeton, Wisconsin,” by Roger Bartel
- “Sententiam teneat, linguam corrigat” “Let him keep his conviction, correct his language”” by Souksamay K. Phetsanghane
- “The Rev. Cronheim Saga: The History of the 1898 Founding of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Benton Harbor, Michigan as Prompted by the Previous Parting of Ways between Rev. Felix R. Cronheim and the Upstart 1896 First Zion German Evangelical Church,” by Freddy Krieger
- “Looking Back,” by John M. Brenner
About the Journal
Started in 1981, the purpose of the WELS Historical Institute is to preserve and present the story of God’s grace to the WELS.
Together with the WELS Archives, the Historical Institute works to preserve articles and artifacts of historical value. The Institute also promotes historical research and education through its Journal, published twice a year.
More about the Journal
The purpose of the Journal is to provide a vehicle for articles of historical interest about the Lutheran Church with special reference to the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. It is also hoped that the Journal will stimulate WELS members to pursue research in Lutheran history.
The interest of the Journal is not simply the past for its own sake. In authorizing the publication of the Journal, the Institute’s Board of Directors stated as one of the Journals purposes to “contribute to understanding our WELS identity and background.” Like Plato’s shadows in the cave, some things can be seen only against the proper background.
Volume 1 Issue 1 – 1983 – Foreword – Editor of the Journal – James P. Schaefer
The current editor of the Journal is Prof. John Brenner of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Inquiries can be directed to him at [email protected].
Membership Benefits
WELS Historical Institute believes it’s critically important to preserve and educate on the history of the WELS Synod. Your membership in the WELS Historical Institute will help continue this mission.
Get the Journal
As a members of WELS Historical Institute, you’ll receive:
- Two issues of WELS Historical Institute Journal each year
- Two Institute newsletters each year
Yes, I want to become a member now!
Back Issues
All past issues of the Journal, up through Volume 36 (2018) can be downloaded below. All files are PDF (Adobe Acrobat) format. Note that all of these journal files were re-scanned and converted to PDF files in early 2012-2014, greatly improving the quality of what had formerly been available.
Questions that we are frequently asked
What kind of articles are published in the Journal?
The Journal welcomes articles and essays about the history of WELS….
Who are the Journal authors?
The Journal authors consist of ….
How may I submit an article for consideration to the Journal?
To submit an article for Journal consideration….
What should a potential author consider when submitting an article?
Potential authors should consider sound evidence and reference facts…
How long does it take to approve or reject a submission?
Once your submission has been received, the process…
Select a book cover
NEW! Christ Through Us
Books about WELS history
There are a few books about the history of WELS. These three books give insight and perspective on moments in time of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Spotlight on:
The Wisconsin Synod Lutherans
This book provides a clear understanding of the forces that have shaped the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). —Northwestern Publishing House
Disclaimer
In an effort to provide the most relevant and useful content, we may provide links to non-WELS resources. WELS is not responsible for the content on external websites. WELS is not officially endorsing these websites, nor does WELS endorse all content on these sites.
Originals
In 1865, the Wisconsin Synod convention commissioned the establishment of a synodical journal that would help promote the synod’s new college, Northwestern University, in Watertown, Wis. It would also provide news about other synodical endeavors and serve as an outlet for theological articles and responses to outside criticism, especially from conservative Lutherans in the American Midwest. The issues through 1911 have been scanned and are available through the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Essay File.