A Brief History of St. Philip's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Abstract

Patrick Brown’s paper chronicles the dynamic history of St. Philip’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Milwaukee from its founding in 1955 through 2003. Originating in a converted broom factory, the congregation grew rapidly through outreach and adult instruction, eventually relocating multiple times to accommodate its expanding ministry and Christian day school. Brown details the congregation’s challenges and triumphs, including racial integration, pastoral transitions, school mergers, and financial struggles. A pivotal moment came in 1994 when St. Philip’s moved into the former Jerusalem Lutheran Church property, initiating a unique shared-space arrangement without a formal merger. The paper also explores the congregation’s adaptation to urban change, its participation in Wisconsin’s School Choice program, and significant renovations to its facilities. Through interviews, archival records, and personal reflections, Brown presents St. Philip’s as a resilient, mission-focused congregation committed to Gospel outreach in Milwaukee’s inner city. —Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)