Since first opening our doors in 1961, Christ the Lord has seen the birth of an elementary school and preschool, numerous expansion projects, and a growing pastoral staff and school faculty…
1961
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Christ the Lord is established. Pastors Robert Krause and Norman Schlavensky from Wisconsin Lutheran High School serve the congregation.
1962
Christ the Lord (CTL) joins the Wisconsin Lutheran High School Conference. Many of our grade school graduates attend Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Pastor John Westendorf is CTL’s first full-time pastor.
1966
Pastor Mark Liesener begins his ministry at CTL.
1967
CTL opens a Lutheran Elementary School with 11 students. Miss Jean Hinnenthal is the first teacher. Today, our elementary school (K-8) numbers 100 students, with an additional 25 regularly served in our 3- and 4-year-old preschool program.
1972
Mr. Michael Miller begins a 35-year ministry as principal of our elementary school.
1974
Pastor James Westendorf serves at CTL until 1982, when he accepts a call to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.
1983
Pastor Thomas Horton begins a 17-year ministry as CTL’s pastor.
1988
While there were expansion projects along the way, the first major expansion takes place this year, as the congregation reconfigures the church sanctuary and builds a new fellowship hall.
1989
Christ the Lord begins a preschool program.
2001
Pastor David Kolander begins his service at Christ the Lord.
2002
Christ the Lord begins a series of five three-year capital fund drives to free up firstfruit offerings for ministry expansion. “Building God’s Kingdom” and “Growing God’s Family” become ministry themes.
2007
Pastor Philip Casmer’s arrival begins a two-pastor ministry for the first time.
2008
Mr. John Melso becomes the next principal of our Lutheran Elementary School, beginning what will be ten years of service at CTL. CTL begins a series of expansion studies with various firms, culminating in the development of a long-term site plan in 2017.
2009
Christ the Lord’s longstanding music ministry program is blessed with the formation of a part-time Director of Parish Music position.
2016
Our school introduces a half-time position for Student Support. Pastor Jason Free becomes our third pastor. He is assigned as the associate pastor of the district president, a role Pastor Kolander begins serving in the Southeastern Wisconsin District of our synod.
2018
Our Director of Parish Music position is expanded to full-time. Mr. Ken Proeber serves as interim principal of our Lutheran Elementary School.
2019
Mr. Benjamin Schramm becomes the next principal of our Lutheran Elementary School.
Christ the Lord Lutheran Church & School