Publications
The WELS Historical Institute Journal and other note worthy publications
Volume 43, Number 1, Spring 2025 of the WELS Historical Institute Journal.
The WELS Historical Institute Journal, Volume 42, Number 1, Spring 2025, is complete and now available to historical society members. Rev. Dr. Eduard Friedrich Moldehnke, pioneer pastor and the storied first synodical Reiseprediger, had graced the pages of the journal in earlier issues. Benjamin Phelps has added to that collection with his translation of another chapter from the fascinating Moldehnke reports and remembrances. Readers can look forward to additional reports in future journal issues.
Eric Hartzell, the veteran pastor and missionary, has written much and well about his beloved Apacheland. In this issue he offers a brief early history of the mission field, including a segment of a 1994 article taken from The Apache Lutheran, titled One Hundred and One Years Ago.
Two brief articles round out this journal number, a revised Short History of Trinity Lutheran Church of Wilson, and an outline biography of Pastor C.A.F. Doehler, one of the many pastors who served at St. Paul’s of Algoma, WI. The always popular Looking Back feature from the pen of journal editor, Dr. John Brenner, is also included.
Left Eduard Moldehnke
Preview the Table of Contents
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].
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.
As a members of WELS Historical Institute, you’ll receive:
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.
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
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:
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.
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.