Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church & School 6840 N. 107th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53224             Birthplace of the Wisconsin Synod

We are constantly looking for items from Salem's past to include in the Salem archives, especially missing photographs from our 1947 Centennial booklet and confirmation photos prior to 1949. For more information, contact the Archivist.

Growing Under Grace (1947-1977) The seventh resident pastor, and twelfth overall was Pastor R. L. Wiechmann, who served Salem from 1947 until 1959. His service at Salem was marked by the 100th anniversary in 1947. The renewal of effort toward nurturing young souls with a program of Christian education came in 1947 when the children of Salem were enrolled in St. James Lutheran School in Milwaukee. That renewal of interest ultimately led to the dedication of the two-room school addition built onto the rear of the church. The addition was dedicated in September of 1949. With thanksgiving to the God of all grace, Salem school was reopened. Within six weeks of the schools' reopening, the congregation realized that they would soon need more space. They called Miss Myrtle Schaetzel (Gauger) to teach half of the school's 44 students. It was at this time that they began to negotiate with the Maple Tree School District for the purchase of their school building (the four classrooms in the older portion of our present building), and the triangular seven-acre plot of land that it sat on. Principal Melvin Schwartz, who had served at Salem when the school was reopened in 1949, accepted a call in June of 1951. Mr. Otto Blase filled the vacancy as principal and teacher until January of 1952, when Mr. Earl Roloff was called. Mr. Roloff was the first teacher to live in the new teacherage at 6671 N. 107th Street, which was completed with the congregation's dedicated labor in July of 1952, at a cost of $9,500. In August of 1953, Salem added a third teacher to its school, Miss Glennis Luhmann, because of its expanding enrollment. Due to an increase in numbers at worship services, Salem began holding two services each Sunday. Mr. Roloff resigned in February of 1954. The congregation called Mr. Gerald Berger to replace him. Shortly after Mr. Berger began to serve at Salem, the congregation voted to purchase the Maple Tree School Building and adjoining seven acres for $78,000. The building was dedicated for the purpose of Christian education in December of 1955, and soon after classes were held in it. In 1959, Pastor Wiechmann accepted a call. The congregation called Pastor Winfred Nommensen, who began his duties as pastor at Salem in October 1959. The Lord of the Church graciously granted steady growth to Salem's fellowship. Starting in January of 1967, Salem's ministry was supported by an assisting preacher, Pastor Robert J. Voss. Ten years after Pastor Nommensen had first arrived at Salem, and many new students later, the congregation added a gymnasium, kitchen, and two new classrooms to the school. Dedication services for the new addition took place on April 20, 1969. Shortly after the dedication, the congregation started thinking about branching out in a unique way. On December 5, 1971, Salem dedicated its daughter congregation, Risen Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church, located on the corner of 95th and Brown Deer Road. In 1972, Salem was conducting three services in its church building. The congregation recognized the need for a larger facility and began planning a new church and new classroom additions. That project was completed and ultimately dedicated on November 13, 1977. Seeds of Grace - Before the Founding Beginning in Grace (1847-1868) Continuing in Grace (1868-1946) Growing Under Grace (1947-1977) Abounding in Grace (1977-1997) Trusting in Grace - Salem's Future Return Home

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