75 YEARS OF GOD'S BLESSINGS
Who We Are
As we look back on the history of Covenant, we truly see God’s hand guiding, leading, and blessing. The theme chosen for our 75th Anniversary Celebration is “Sharing the Living Hope.” St. Peter writes, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).
For 75 years the pastors and people of Covenant have been proclaiming and celebrating the hope that is ours in our Risen and Living Lord Jesus. Through his death and resurrection, he has won forgiveness for our sins and an eternal home in heaven. That simple, yet powerful, message – salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ – has been gathering people together in the Christian Church for centuries.
Humble beginnings
Covenant had humble beginnings as five families began to meet in a garage on Appleton Avenue in 1948. The post-war growth in the economy and the housing boom saw many families building homes on the western edges of Milwaukee. The first church building was a simple white-frame church on 76th Street with seating for 100 worshipers. The congregation grew rapidly as pastor and people continued to share the Living Hope of Jesus Christ with others. The little white frame chapel was no longer adequate.
For nearly 5 years beginning in 1957, the congregation met for worship in the gymnasium of the newly constructed Northwest Lutheran School. Every Sunday volunteers set up chairs and altar for the worship services which was quite a task as the membership had grown to 1,200 by 1960. Finally the present church building was dedicated in 1962 with seating for 500. It’s amazing what God can do when people are faithful to the Word of God and proclaim the Living Hope to others.
Photos: Top Right is the Church Picnic in 1962, Bottom Right is the Vacation Bible School in 1953.
Worship Service at Northwest Lutheran
Covenant Lutheran Church
Covenant Lutheran Church continued to grow by God’s grace and had more than 2,000 members in the 1970’s. We are fewer than that now, but we continue to be faithful to the Word of God and we continue to share the Living Hope of Jesus with our members and our neighbors. Sharing Jesus is at the center of all we do in our congregation, in our Childcare Center, and at Northwest Lutheran School.
We look back and we are amazed at what God has done in and through Covenant over the years – 1,541 baptisms in 75 years, 1,593 confirmations, and 696 weddings. We praise God for all the faithful pastors and church workers, for all the faithful members and the many volunteers who have served God and others in this place.