The city has officially rescinded the demolition order for the church. It is a profound relief to know this building will remain part of our landscape. Thank you for your continued interest in preserving our local history.
January 21, 2021
Final supporters
In 1865, a congregation of local residents incorporated the first German Lutheran Church in the area. They rapidly outgrew their first wooden church building. This unique gothic style church building was built in 1882 using horse led wagons. Until 1969, it was one of the tallest, standing brick structures in the city of Kewaunee. It is still one of the oldest. Over the years, the congregation kept growing and in 1953 they moved uptown into a new modern building. The Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church still thrives today.
Since then, the building went through a couple of incarnations. It housed a lectern factory for fifty years much of which was run by the Gallenberger family and then a successful antique shop run by Tom Bintz. I took possession in January 2015 and immediately recognized the historic and cultural value of the building. I have been trying to refurbish and repurpose the edifice ever since. It has been slow going using available funds and materials. My plans are to create a contemporary cultural center, but still keeping the historical value of the building. A variety of venues would include small weddings, lectures, documentary movies followed by discussion groups, art showings, and all staged within the fascinating history of the building and its architecture.
Local folks were stunned when the city of Kewaunee, Wisconsin issued a demolition order on the building just before Christmas in 2020. The building does need some TLC, but a recent engineering report stated the structure is in ‘good general condition.’ Many longtime residents of Kewaunee, and even newcomers, still share cherished memories in this place. Grassroots support has grown rapidly. We need to get the word out to stop this disregard for this historic structure. Please support our effort to stop the destruction and save the church for the generations to come.
The old Lutheran Church Building has been submitted to the Wisconsin Historical Society for consideration in membership as well as The National Trust for Historic Places. We need your help to show that volumes of Kewaunee area residents, as well as people around the county, care about Wisconsin's cultural landmarks.
Let the Mayor, the City Administrator, the Planning Commission, and the City Council know that we value our local heritage and do NOT want this building demolished. Ask them to consider removing it from the demolition list as soon as possible.
Additional video is available at:
https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/raze...
Please sign the petition to show your support! We are trying for 500 signatures. Comments are appreciated. Thanks.
N.B.: It has come to my attention that a number of supporters have donated to this petition. Please note, neither I nor the church receives any of these funds. I apologize if the splash screen is misleading. I have no control over how ipetitions.com manages their site. Any problems might be worked out with your credit card company. A Go-Fund-Me campaign may be forthcoming. S_
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
January 9, 2021
January 6, 2021
The petition has reached one hundred signatures today. This response demonstrates a clear local commitment to preserving our history and ensures the building remains a topic of importance for the community.
Reached 100 supporters
January 6, 2021
January 3, 2021
The momentum surrounding our effort to preserve the church is encouraging as we approach the one hundred signature mark. Reaching this milestone will signal to local officials that this historic structure holds significant value for our community. Please invite someone else to join this effort so we can meet our threshold today.
168 Comments
I love this building! Let’s look at how we can preserve our history. Many of my customers comment on the beautiful church by the Grandfather Clock. Some are local, and some being from other cities who appreciate its architectural beauty.
I am a former member of the "new" Immanuel Lutheran Church. I would hate to see a part of the church history torn down. Maybe approach the present day church to see if they have any ideas for saving a part their history.
My parents grew up in Kewaunee County and were married in the parsonage of this lovely old church. Architecturally significant buildings like this one add character to a community, and every effort should be made to save them.
When you have people interested in restoration, have an economy driven by tourism, and a large part of the appeal of Kewaunee is its old fashioned charm, the city would be extremely foolish to destroy another irreplaceable bit of its history.
We have stopped and photographed this church on our way to Door County .....we have stayed in town and spent $ as we explored . Taking away beautiful old buildings will eventually be a loss for a special town .
Restoring historic/ magnificent old buildings is what keeps towns (and cities) interesting & connects us w/ our past..
Save the church!!
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Share this petition to help it reach more people.
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The city has officially rescinded the demolition order for the church. It is a profound relief to know this building will remain part of our landscape. Thank you for your continued interest in preserving our local history.
January 21, 2021
Final supporters
In 1865, a congregation of local residents incorporated the first German Lutheran Church in the area. They rapidly outgrew their first wooden church building. This unique gothic style church building was built in 1882 using horse led wagons. Until 1969, it was one of the tallest, standing brick structures in the city of Kewaunee. It is still one of the oldest. Over the years, the congregation kept growing and in 1953 they moved uptown into a new modern building. The Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church still thrives today.
Since then, the building went through a couple of incarnations. It housed a lectern factory for fifty years much of which was run by the Gallenberger family and then a successful antique shop run by Tom Bintz. I took possession in January 2015 and immediately recognized the historic and cultural value of the building. I have been trying to refurbish and repurpose the edifice ever since. It has been slow going using available funds and materials. My plans are to create a contemporary cultural center, but still keeping the historical value of the building. A variety of venues would include small weddings, lectures, documentary movies followed by discussion groups, art showings, and all staged within the fascinating history of the building and its architecture.
Local folks were stunned when the city of Kewaunee, Wisconsin issued a demolition order on the building just before Christmas in 2020. The building does need some TLC, but a recent engineering report stated the structure is in ‘good general condition.’ Many longtime residents of Kewaunee, and even newcomers, still share cherished memories in this place. Grassroots support has grown rapidly. We need to get the word out to stop this disregard for this historic structure. Please support our effort to stop the destruction and save the church for the generations to come.
The old Lutheran Church Building has been submitted to the Wisconsin Historical Society for consideration in membership as well as The National Trust for Historic Places. We need your help to show that volumes of Kewaunee area residents, as well as people around the county, care about Wisconsin's cultural landmarks.
Let the Mayor, the City Administrator, the Planning Commission, and the City Council know that we value our local heritage and do NOT want this building demolished. Ask them to consider removing it from the demolition list as soon as possible.
Additional video is available at:
https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/raze...
Please sign the petition to show your support! We are trying for 500 signatures. Comments are appreciated. Thanks.
N.B.: It has come to my attention that a number of supporters have donated to this petition. Please note, neither I nor the church receives any of these funds. I apologize if the splash screen is misleading. I have no control over how ipetitions.com manages their site. Any problems might be worked out with your credit card company. A Go-Fund-Me campaign may be forthcoming. S_
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
January 9, 2021
January 6, 2021
The petition has reached one hundred signatures today. This response demonstrates a clear local commitment to preserving our history and ensures the building remains a topic of importance for the community.
Reached 100 supporters
January 6, 2021
January 3, 2021
The momentum surrounding our effort to preserve the church is encouraging as we approach the one hundred signature mark. Reaching this milestone will signal to local officials that this historic structure holds significant value for our community. Please invite someone else to join this effort so we can meet our threshold today.
168 Comments
As an active member of Water's Edge Artists, Painters for Preservation it is our mission to raise awareness for not just waterways, but also for historically significant sites. The 1st German Lutheran Church is just such a site.
I love this building! Let’s look at how we can preserve our history. Many of my customers comment on the beautiful church by the Grandfather Clock. Some are local, and some being from other cities who appreciate its architectural beauty.
I am a former member of the "new" Immanuel Lutheran Church. I would hate to see a part of the church history torn down. Maybe approach the present day church to see if they have any ideas for saving a part their history.
My parents grew up in Kewaunee County and were married in the parsonage of this lovely old church. Architecturally significant buildings like this one add character to a community, and every effort should be made to save them.
When you have people interested in restoration, have an economy driven by tourism, and a large part of the appeal of Kewaunee is its old fashioned charm, the city would be extremely foolish to destroy another irreplaceable bit of its history.
We have stopped and photographed this church on our way to Door County .....we have stayed in town and spent $ as we explored . Taking away beautiful old buildings will eventually be a loss for a special town .
Restoring historic/ magnificent old buildings is what keeps towns (and cities) interesting & connects us w/ our past..
Save the church!!
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As an active member of Water's Edge Artists, Painters for Preservation it is our mission to raise awareness for not just waterways, but also for historically significant sites. The 1st German Lutheran Church is just such a site.