Emerge from the tunnel and continue walking north on 9th Street, crossing State Street, to Highland Avenue. On the corner of 9th and Highland sits our next stop, Trinity Lutheran Church.

NOTE: Unfortunately, the church was devastated by a fire on May 15, 2018. Access near the area may be limited for some time due to rebuilding efforts currently underway. The description below will give you a feel for the significance of the loss caused by the fire.


Trinity Lutheran Church was founded by immigrants from Pomerania, Germany in 1847 and is the second oldest Missouri Synod Congregation in Wisconsin. The church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated both a state Historic Site and a Milwaukee Landmark.

The congregation's first building was on 4th Street between Wells and Kilbourn from 1847 through 1851, with Its second building at 4th and Wells from 1851 to 1878. Trinity's current building was constructed in 1878 and designed by Fredrick Velguth in Victorian Gothic style. The total cost of the church (in 1878 dollars) was $43,500 ($40,000 for the church, $3,500 for the organ) which was paid in full by the completion of construction.

The building, which is built with Milwaukee's famed cream city brick, is built in the shape of a cross (145 feet long, 89 feet wide and 54 feet high). There are three towers with the tallest (north tower) at 200 feet tall. This tower is topped by a golden sphere with a cross measuring 14 1/2 feet tall. The bell tower has 3 real bells (keyed in D, F# and A) with a combined weight of 5,263 pounds. The bells ring at the start of each service. The beautiful interior contains woodwork hand carved from Wisconsin Oak and Ash, a pulpit shaped like a communion chalice and wonderful stained glass windows behind the alter.

Also of note is the church's historic Schuelke organ. During 1879, the William Schuelke Company of Milwaukee built and installed the church organ. The total cost for the organ was $3,500. The pipe enclosure is 30 feet high by 20 feet wide and consists of 34 registers and 1600 pipes. Erhalt Brielmeier built the organ case, which matches the altar. The organ was placed on the National Historic Register in 1979.

As you can see, the rebuild of of the church continues. It is unclear when the church will be fully functional.

To continue the tour, cross Highland Avenue and continue walking north on 9th Street.