Emanuel History

Emanuel of 1888
There was no Protestant church in the area. Louis Kerler and Theodore Jungbluth, farmers in Greenfield Township, often spoke about the need of a church in which they could worship God in accordance with the way they were taught, that is to say, the ways of their forefathers who came from across the Atlantic Ocean to get away from wars, political and religious persecution or to kindle the burning desire for personal freedom. They grasped at the opportunity to improve both quality of life and personal wealth in this new world. Frequent discussions between the two men continued. John Hommel also became interested in building a Protestant church. The idea of a new church in the village of Hales Corners seemed ideal. When approached, the leading citizens were overjoyed with the proposal and pledged their support. They were already completing a building for their first school. In February 1888 the first group meeting to further the church building project took place in Hales Corners School. Emanuel's first church officers as elected were President, Phillip Jung; Secretary, Louis Kerler; and Treasurer, Adam Conrad. In addition, the following board members were added, Otto Neussel and Christian Schmidt, Jacob Siegel and William Horn were also elected and added to the Building Committee.

The church founders began a land search in the area of the village where they wished to build (along the business district on the Janesville Plank Toll Road). Jacob Siegel owned most of the road frontage land which held several buildings. However, there was a parcel of land owned by William Cobb which lay immediately behind Siegel's property. This 4.25 acre parcel included an easement along the south boundary line which provided access to the North Cape Road and was available for purchase. A deal was struck, the land was purchased for $875.00 to be paid off in five years, so the deed was written. A construction crew from Greenfield Township immediately began construction of the wood frame 30 by 60 foot church which would seat 100 people. They completed the building before the year's end.

Thus began The German Evangelical Church, the first Protestant church in Hales Corners. Since a large portion of the Hales Corners and southwest Milwaukee area was settled by families who spoke German, all church services and the church's school were conducted in German. As was the custom, each Sunday service found women and children of the congregation worshiping in pews on the right side of the church auditorium while the men were seated on the left.

In 1889 the church brass bell was commissioned, cast in Holland, transported to Hales Corners and installed. In 1893, the first Women's Guild was formed and in 1894, six more people joined the church. The average Sunday attendance was 22. On New Years Day 1895, the Church Council voted in favor of giving church women a right to vote on all church concerns (Susan B. Anthony, Louisa May Alcott and others were active in women s suffrage at this time). Although in a rural environment, Emanuel clearly demonstrated their devotion to their religion and human rights as evident in their actions.

The year 1921 saw the end to male and female separation during worship services and now families could worship side-by-side. The church also began to hold service in English every other Sunday. Eventually, services in German were reduced to once a month and vanished altogether in 1936.

So began the rich historical and religious legacy of Emanuel Church Hales Corners. Many changes and challenges were to face the congregation in the fast approaching years of World War II and beyond. During the late 1930’s Emanuel Church experienced a church split. A number of members and Pastor Hornburg decided that they wanted to be Lutheran and not Evangelical and Reformed. Over the years our congregation has grown stronger and learned to use dialogue and study to work out any controversies. Amid sweeping political, sociological, technological and ideological changes, the 1960's saw the construction of a new church and the church membership of the 1990's witnessed massive building renovation in addition to the installation and joy of a new state-of-the-art pipe organ.