Southminster

At Fifty

(1965-2015)

Ellen D. Langill

Published by

Southminster Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Waukesha, Wisconsin

2016

Dedication & Acknowledgements

The 50th Anniversary Committee

Walt Sadler and Linda Melton, co-chairs, with support from Edee Rolli,

Sally de Vriend, Dale Morgan, Brenda Schuett, and Alice Lundstrom

The Southminster Church Fifty-Year History

Ellen D. Langill, author, with support from Kathy MacIntyre and Susanne Koehne for the research and compilation of the appendices.

A special thanks to Pastor Christian Boyd for shepherding us through the process and providing technical expertise in the publishing of the history.

Copyright © 2016 by Southminster Presbyterian Church (USA) in Waukesha, Wisconsin. All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

E-Pub ISBN: 978-1-329-85887-9

Contents

Dedication & Acknowledgements

Introduction

The First Twenty-Five Years, 1965-1990

Twenty-Five Years and Growing

A New Century

Toward the Fiftieth

Vision Statement

Our Vision (Long-term Desire)

Our Missional Purpose

Our Core Values and Practices

Doxology

Appendix I: Members and Leaders

Charter Members

Confirmands

Pastors

Pastor Nominating Committees

Clerks of Session, Treasurers, and Deacon Moderators

Deacons

Elders

Staff

Three Generation Families

Appendix II: History of Christian Formation

Christian Education

SPC Vacation Bible Schools

SPC Family Camps

Southminster Youth Musical History

Mission Trip History

Appendix III: Mission

Mission Trips that involved Paul and Shirley Johnson

Guatemala Work Projects (from Paul & Shirley Johnson)

Refugee Resettlement 2004

Appendix IV: Festivals

History of Santa Lucia

Appendix V: Communion of Saints

Roll of All Covenant Members, 1965-2015

Endnotes

EDITORS’ & PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This history aims to give credit to the many members who have shaped Southminster Presbyterian Church in the past fifty years.  While specific leaders are recognized, there may be others who are not mentioned herein, but whose contributions were vital. We apologize for any such omissions. Please refer to appendices in the unabridged version for more specifics, as well as contribute to the online appendices managed by the church historian, clerk, church administrator, and the pastor.

Introduction

The story of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Waukesha, Wisconsin is a saga of its spirited leadership and its enduring commitment to the members and the mission. The story begins several years before the church’s 1965 establishment when the post-World War II population boom reached west of Milwaukee, and the City of Waukesha experienced significant growth.  At that time, the city’s First Presbyterian Church, located in the center of Waukesha, had carried out its mission for almost 120 years since its founding in the 1840s, and was considering the establishment of what was then called a satellite (or colony) church on the city’s growing south side. 

The First Twenty-Five Years, 1965-1990

Members of First Presbyterian realized that Waukesha’s population growth raised new challenges and questions, particularly whether one church could serve all of the area’s people. They began a study, in 1960, on the feasibility of establishing a second church that would be located on the city’s south side where many of the new residents lived, new neighborhoods had grown, and the population had soared. Four years later, they were able to purchase land with the help of the Synod of Wisconsin and the Presbyterian Homes Foundation.  The land was on Richard Street, just south of what had been the city’s southern beltway, Sunset Drive.[1]

First Presbyterian Church then commissioned 63 of its members to establish a new church in this location. The move was given full approval by the leadership of the Milwaukee Presbytery. This steering committee of what would become Southminster Church called its first meeting on September 27, 1964, and all interested persons were asked to come and begin to draw up a plan for worship and Sunday School. 

Member David Geraldson served as a liaison to First Church and the Synod. As the formal planning session convened at the Waukesha Town Hall on Center Road, the Steering Committee set the date for the first worship service to be held on Sunday, October 18, 1964 at the Town Hall. A representative from the Synod, John Dzuro, led the 70 adults in this first service, as 40 children gathered for Sunday School. He agreed to be the organizing pastor for the new southside church until a permanent minister could be called.

The following Sundays witnessed a group of dedicated leaders organizing all of the crucial functions of the new church with many new members volunteering as ushers, teachers, choir members, and coffee providers.  A candid notice admitted that until now, there has been no committee, no organization of any kind – only volunteers who have indicated their willingness to serve.

The name, Southside Church, was adopted temporarily until the requisite 100 members signed up and an official charter could be written. Leaders at this time included David Geraldson, Dick Christoph, Eugene Bertacchini, Murray Pearthree, Betty Bone, Charles Burton, Bud Phillips, George Cran, and Lloyd Davies. The goal was to achieve full status and a charter early in 1965. A Steering Committee meeting at the Synod Office on November 16, 1964, began to assess the financial needs of the new church, how to canvass members for pledges and to plan for the church’s first Christmas Service – also to be held in the Town Hall. They hoped to raise an initial $5,000, or at least $50 from each of the 100 members. However, when the pledges came in, the committee was delighted to learn that they had raised twice that amount, or $10,000.

Encouraged by this show of strong support, and inspired by their mission, the group established a Pastor Nominating Committee (with members David Geraldson, David Bone, Bonnie Burton, Barbara Davies, Mary Hagen, and Claude Schmidt), and also a Finance Committee chaired by Gordon Galloway, with Gerald Geraldson, Betty Williams and Bea Phillips. The congregation voted on the name Southminster United Presbyterian Church (United was later dropped), and submitted the Petition to Presbytery on January 26, 1965. At the same time, a Building Committee arranged a loan from the National Missions Board of the United Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. to finalize the purchase of the land on Richard Street, and began to secure pledges for the building fund.

The successful petition for a charter was approved and the first official worship service for Southminster Presbyterian Church was held on February 28, 1965. At this service, Waukesha native, Lois Stair (who would later become the First Woman Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.) presided over the official granting of the charter and the ordination and installation of the first group of 12 elders. Membership had continued to increase, growing to more than 118, with 70 Sunday school children by the spring of 1965.

The Pastor Nominating Committee screened many candidates and presented to the congregation the name of Dr. Daniel Nelson, then an assistant pastor in Cortland, New York, and a graduate of the University of Chicago and Yale Divinity School, with a Ph.D. from Syracuse University. David Geraldson had heard Nelson preach on a vacation in northern Wisconsin at Boulder Junction and thought he might be perfect for the new church. By a unanimous vote of 74-0, Nelson was called with consent of the Presbytery to serve as the new church’s first pastor. On Palm Sunday April 11, 1965, Pastor Nelson, his wife Myrtle, and their five children were in Waukesha, and he preached his first sermon at Southminster. By agreement, the first year of pastoral expense and salary were paid by the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.

One month later, on May 16, 1965 at the Town Hall, Pastor Nelson was officially installed by the Presbytery in a service led by the Reverend Scott McClure, the pastor at First Presbyterian, as a symbol of the older church’s sponsorship of the new congregation. As Myrtle Nelson recalled, the welcome was so warm that it demonstrated the love and kindness in the heart of the members of the church.

The Building Committee announced that pledges for the new church building up to the amount of $50,000 would be matched by a loan from the National Missions Board, and a fundraising consultant provided services to this end. Architects III, a Milwaukee firm, presented sketches for the proposed building which would include a sanctuary for 170 people, and a small wing for Sunday School.  The official groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 10, 1965, as funds began to pour in for the $125,000 building, built of natural wood with glass windows that were designed to bring in the beauty of the natural surroundings.

Until the new building was completed, all committees, church services, choir practices etc. continued to meet at the Town Hall, where a leaky roof and wet floor required constant attention. V Kuenzi led the Sunday School and Mary Bayer and Marcia Wisner accompanied the choir which was directed by Jean Davies, as babies were passed from lap to lap in the family friendly environment. By the next year, choir robes had been donated by a church in Bloomington, Illinois, and the church also had a High School and a Junior Choir.

Excitement was high as the new church building was being finished in late spring 1966, complete with its donated, used organ.  Dedication services were held at 200 Richard Street on June 19 with a large gathering of members and a great sense of exhilaration. The steady growth of membership, however, necessitated plans for an expansion of the Sunday School wing to the east, a project that was completed three years later in 1969. By that time, membership had grown to over 300, and several new church groups, such as the Women’s Group and the Minsters (a social group) were organized to meet members’ needs and further the mission of the church. 

The choir grew too, under the leadership of Myrtle Nelson, and several new men, including Walt Sadler, joined after hearing the plea for more tenors. In addition, rich musical traditions were begun, that eventually would include the creation of a Handbell Choir, under the leadership of Gerry Elliott, along with a Brass Choir, and a Folk Choir. One of our church organists, Mary Bayer, was presented with a new harpsicord, a gift from her husband, which was used thereafter for many services, particularly on Christmas Eve. With the rich talent of many members, the congregation enjoyed harpist Gerry Elliott, duets by Russ and Sandy Dagon on clarinet and piano, and many others. Several members donated special creations, including Rolli Schrupp who designed the church’s beautiful hanging banners and Geth Galloway who did flower arrangements every Sunday.

Due to this array of talent and dedication, entering the church sanctuary became a vital and inspiring experience for new and old members. Cookies to welcome arrivals at the door, and with the friendly atmosphere, Nettie Sadler commented, We felt that the church had chosen us![2]

With so many new members and families arriving, the church council of Elders, the Session, realized that it was crucial to have a strong Sunday school program as well as a program for its youth members. Over the years, many people have helped to make the church’s Sunday school experience