Some History Notes...

Preparing for our150th Anniversary
Peace Lutheran Church reached its 150th birthday in November of 2011, and in review, we present some of those facts, figures, pictures and stories that we have found in the church archives.

The Early Years
(From the 100th anniversary book)
“Early in the year 1860, Reverend F. Waldt, a traveling minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Wisconsin, began work in the Oshkosh area. Oshkosh, at that time, numbered a population of about 10,000. A share of this population was Lutheran families who had come across the Atlantic from Germany in order to establish new homes. The territory was new and sparsely settled, and the people were of meager means; but they were rich in health and in the love of their Savior. These families heard of the traveling Pastor Waldt and invited him to preach the Word to them also. The Church books register these acts:

• The first confirmation - Ascension Day, May 17, 1860 - Five girls were confirmed.
• The first baptism - February 6, 1861.
• The first communion - Miscerias Sunday, April 14, 1861 - Forty-two communicants participating.
• The first burial - August 13, 1861.
• The first marriage - December 26, 1861.”

The church was incorporated under the name of ‘German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Oshkosh’ on November 11, 1861. The Reverend F. Waldt accepted the call to serve the congregation. 

“The congregation determined in spring of 1862 to build a house of worship. This was a frame structure, plain and of modest proportions, but the congregation was proud of it and dedication was held in the fall of the same year. (1862).” (These passages are direct translations from the German of 1911, by Robert Luedtke Sr.)

An un-translated passage in the 1911 Fest-Schrift booklet, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the congregation, tells that the church name was changed on April 1, 1866 to “German Evangelical Lutheran Peace Congregation in the Third Ward, Oshkosh.”  The Civil War had ended two years earlier.

Controversy
“In November of 1881, the Reverend Christopher Dowidat became pastor. During this period the congregation passed through its most severe trials. Early in the ‘eighties’ there appeared in the Lutheran Church of America the so-called question of ‘pre-destination.’ . . . Pastor C. Dowidat, a follower of the new doctrine, withdrew from Peace congregation, taking with him a portion of the membership, and established a new congregation (Grace Lutheran).  Not being in accord with the doctrine of ‘pre-destination’ as it was taught in the Wisconsin Synod, the remaining members of Peace Lutheran congregation elected to withdraw from that synod, and called a pastor from the Joint Synod of Ohio and other States.”  (Pastor Dowidat served at Grace Lutheran until 1921)

Interesting reflections on this period can be found in a 1992 paper by John Hildebrant from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (Wisconsin Synod). From this paper it appears that Pastor Dowidat and Teacher Gruel were on one side of the divide and Teacher J. Gruber and the majority of the congregation were on the other side.

The Later Period of Growth
The majority of the congregation retained the property on Eighth Street and continued to grow.

In January of 1890, the church paper debt was $10.00. Each member was assessed one cent to make up this deficit.

Peace Lutheran ‘birthed’ First English Lutheran as a mission congregation for English-speakers in 1908. Despite this friendly start, members of both First English and Peace recall the south-side rivalry that developed between the two congregations.

The ‘Eighth Street Church” building lasted 76 years. It was dedicated in 1874. Almost immediately the heating system failed and stoves were provided for the church. The church spire was also found to be unstable and dangerous. In 1883, the congregation started a rebuilding project. The Young Ladies Society donated a 2,200 pound bell, which is still in use today. The cornerstone for the ‘Brick School’ many of our older members remember was laid in 1908.

The old church was torn down in 1950. Plans for building a new building had been discussed as early as 1932. The new modern sanctuary was begun in 1950 and was dedicated September 23, 1951. Our current sanctuary turns 60 years old in 2011. The Christian Education Center was completed in 1960, just in time for the 100th anniversary.

Peace Lutheran Church was featured in the March 21, 1986 issue of the Lutheran Standard (the magazine of the American Lutheran Church). The occasion was the 125th anniversary of the church and the raising of $125,000 for missions.

The Crest or Coat of Arms of Peace Lutheran Church
This design was planned and developed exclusively for
our congregation. It is seen on the corner stone and on a special banner.

The Stained Glass of Peace Lutheran Church

When planning the stained glass, the Reverend pastor, as well as the gentlemen of the building committee, were fully aware of the function of stained glass as a medium towards creating atmosphere and controlling prevailing light.

The rather unusual contemporary architecture demanded a complete departure from prevailing conventional standards of floral ornamentation. Consequently, an approach in design in use in Europe for churches of this type of architecture had to be adopted and has been brought to a successful conclusion as demonstrated in the beauty of the stained glass throughout the church, especially in the two large window where the design and color treatment highlights the symbol of the church in the form of a cross. more...

  -- The Cross-symbolizes Jesus Christ

  -- The triangle the Triune God

  -- The dove the peace of God

The Meaning Behind the Architecture of the Present Building

Peace Church Structure and Symbolism

The complete structure of this church is one of simple shapes and spaces.

The structural system and materials are simple and the basis for the functional design. The ground floor and balcony with administrative wing are reinforced concrete while the nave and basic church section are spanned with laminated wood trusses with plank ceiling insulated under a tile roof. The exterior stone is local Wisconsin Limestone with cast stone and aluminum sash and windows. Floors are of slate, rubber, asphalt tile, and ceramic tiles with stone, oak, and rubber trim. Ceilings are acoustic wood, and plaster, varying with room usage and acoustic conditions. Heating is a vacuum system, with ventilation provided in assembly areas and as necessary.

The exterior is symbolic and expressive in the shape and materials.
-- The stone exterior itself is symbolic of the martyrdom of our Lord.
-- The entranced façade has the large single cross symbolizing the unity of the Godhead, the Church, and the gable and apex the ascendance.
-- The two buttresses flanking the entrance represent the two fold nature of Our Lord, the oaken door the Forgiveness.
-- The glass designs are -
      Upper Left - Symbol of God
      Center - Jesus Christ
      Lower - The Holy Ghost
      Upper Right - His Holy Word
      Center - Resurrection
      Lower - The Seven Gifts

-- The carved stone panel in the entrance pylon over the entrance is the seal of Luther, the cross over a rose.
-- The stainless steel cross on the tower is of Jesus Christ; highest of the High,
-- The eight interwoven crosses behind are the Regeneration. Those eight crosses on the other side are of Completion or the eight beatitudes.
-- The chancel cross which is visible to the interior also symbolizes the entrance to heaven by way of the cross.

The interior with its furnishings and trim in oak symbolize - strength, eternity, force, virtue and forgiveness.
The leaded glass windows express their story and, here again, we see the two crosses of the church over the balcony and the chancel expressing to heaven by way of the cross.
The chancel screen has twelve leaded crosses for the months of the year and the twelve four-pointed stars represent the twelve apostles.
The ten laminated roof members are the Ten Commandments and the reeded organ grilles recall the passion symbol.
The furniture again recalls the oak symbolism, while the three stars on the pulpit the three elements in man, or, preferably, the three theological virtues.
The cross of the lectern is for passion, faith, redemption and atonement.
The chancel rail creates the spiritual separation

The structure design and plan were created and executed by Mr. Austin Lange of the firm of Lang & Raugland of Minneapolis, Minnesota. We of Peace Lutheran will always be grateful for the divine Guidance and Inspiration of almighty God who through Mr. Lange gave us such a beautiful church.