Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary is located in Mequon, Wisconsin and trains pastors for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).

The campus consists of twenty two buildings, including a library with over 58,000 volumes, including a collection of rare pre-18th century theological books.

History

Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary has been located in several different places throughout its history.

Origins in Watertown

The origins of the school date to 1863, when the main sources of clergy in the Wisconsin Synod were the mission societies in Germany. As the Wisconsin Synod moved to a more conservative and confessional theological stance, the theological character of clergy from the German mission societies came into question. Furthermore, it became more and more difficult to provide pastors in adequate numbers. To alleviate these problems the Wisconsin Synod formed the Theological School of the Wisconsin Synod in Watertown, Wisconsin. The first students met in the professor's home. In 1864 the Wisconsin Synod in convention resolved to provide a permanent building for the seminary. Five acres of Watertown land were purchased for $600.00. Ground was broken on July 22, 1864, on what is now the campus of Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, WI. The building was dedicated on September 14, 1865. The third floor of the building was used for the seminary classes, and the first two levels were used for the synod's college, Northwestern.

Merger with Concordia Seminary

Due mainly to small enrollments and an increasing desire to enter into fellowship with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the school merged with Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod's Concordia Seminary in 1870. As part of the merger, it was agreed that Missouri should actively participate in Northwestern College by providing a professor for the school, and assisting the school with financial support. Wisconsin was to send students to St. Louis, provide a professor and contribute financial support for Concordia. Each synod was to retain management of its own institution. Six Wisconsin Synod students began study in St. Louis in March, 1870.

Wisconsin Reopens the Seminary

In 1878, the WELS reopened a seminary of their own in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wisconsin reopened the seminary to help prevent the assimilation of their entire synod into Missouri. Wisconsin Synod leaders stressed that doctrinal fellowship was possible with Missouri without organizational unity. Since the seminary was no longer able to share a building with Northwestern College, the seminary used other facilities in Watertown.

The Move to Wauwatosa

Soon the increasing number of seminarians outgrew the Watertown facility. Therefore a new seminary campus was opened in 1893 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin with 31 students. The facility was a two story building with a full basement and a large attic. The first floor held two classrooms, a chapel, and a faculty lounge, as well as several study rooms, and a restroom in each of the two wings. The second floor mirrored the layout of the first floor. There was however a large hall in the center of the second floor, a space which the library would later occupy. The basement featured a kitchen and dining area, a washroom, and a recreation room. Years later, the attic was finished and outfitted for additional student quarters.

A Permanent Campus in Mequon

The overall enrollment figures of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary continued to increase. Synod and seminary administrators realized that a bigger facility would become necessary in the coming years. The administration sought to complete a facility that would not only serve the current needs of the seminary, but also have the room to grow and expand accordingly. In short, a permanent campus was sought.

The synod purchased an 80-acre farm in present-day Mequon, Wisconsin, near the village of Thiensville, WI for $25,000. Seminary professor John Philip Koehler was given charge of the general design, incorporating the style and features of the Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, Germany.

Ground was broken for construction in 1928, and the cornerstone was laid that same year. The process of moving to the new campus began in the summer of 1929 and the first classes were held in the autumn semester of 1929.

Campus

The Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary campus is situated on an 80-acre plot of land in Mequon, Wisconsin. Characterized by large trees, expansive grassy fields, woods, a stream, and a small holding pond, the meticulously maintained campus resembles a park.

Architectural Features

The overall design of the Seminary campus mimics the architectural style of the Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, Germany. Such features include stone walls and slate roofs. The overall layout of the dormitory and academic center is a ring, creating a courtyard in the center of the main complex. "Fachwerk," timber-framed brick walls are also common on the campus.

Buildings

The impressive seminary tower that acts as a gateway to a central courtyard, divides the main building into two areas: the residence hall and dining hall life to the west and administration-classroom building, chapel, and library to the east. The residence hall, consisting of eight units, can accommodate about 80 students. The dining hall seats approximately 150. Between 1997 and 2002 the residence hall was expanded to provide more room for each student. The classrooms were simultaneously remodeled to provide current technology. An auditorium-gymnasium, built in 1986, seats 1200.

The campus features these main buildings and areas:

• Administration-Classroom
• Chapel
• Library
• Residence and Dining Hall
• Gymnasium

Chapel

Included in the 1929 building project was a chapel for campus worship. The original chapel was quite plain and did not feature any pews, musical instruments, art glass windows, or even a pulpit and altar. It was not until the 1930s that the chancel was decorated with the help of a local craftsman. For decades the chapel featured a small wooden altar, a pulpit, a lectern, wooden pews, tile floors, a Wick's organ, and three art glass windows behind the altar. Unfortunately, the low ceiling and small amount of natural light detracted greatly from the atmosphere.

In 2002 the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary facilities committee presented a study on the existing chapel. Not only did the committee notice the surface deficiencies of the chapel, they also pointed out that the existing chapel architecture did not promote by example the type of liturgical worship practices currently taught at the seminary and commonly in practice among WELS congregations. The committee proposed a chapel renovation.

The renovation, funded primarily by special gifts, began in 2004 and took a full year to complete. Construction was completed in May, 2005. A dedication service was not held, however, until the beginning of the following academic year, on August 29, 2005.

The new chapel design features large, clear windows to allow natural light to pour into the room. The windows are etched with symbols representing the four theological disciplines. The ceiling is now opened up to the tall gable roof. Dark stone tile floors contrast with the white paint on the walls and ceiling. Other features of the chapel include:

• Ambo

The ambo replaces pulpit and lectern as one central location for the reading of Scripture.

• Paschal candle

The Paschal Candle reminds worshippers of Christ the lamb who was sacrificed for sin.

• Font

The baptismal font reminds worshippers of their own baptisms. The design allows for a constant flow of water which adds a gentle sound to the chapel.

• Freestanding altar

The altar and chairs are all freestanding and can be moved as needed. In practice, however, the chapel layout has remained the same since its dedication.

Sources

• Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary 1863-1963, by Immanuel P. Frey.
• The History of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary from 1863-1903, by Dr. Adolf Hoenecke

External links

• Official Website