Our History

Humble Beginings

A watercolor painting of a church with a tall steeple, surrounded by green grass, trees, and a cloudy blue sky.
painting by B. Heinecke (1994)

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church started out as a mission. It began holding worship services in a bank basement in January of 1991 under the direction of Pastor John Wille, affiliated with the South Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. The new church was formed, with the first members signing a charter on April 21, 1991. In the first 10 years, they purchased property and a parsonage, built church facilities at their present location, became self-supporting, and grew to hundreds of members. 

A Pastoral Legacy

Pastor Wille, also serving as Vice President of the South Wisconsin District, was then elected to the office of District President in the summer of 2006 and relocated to Milwaukee. Pastor Mark Benning was installed as their second pastor on March 18, 2007, and served Good Shepherd until his retirement in June 2019. 

Pastor David Wurdeman served Good Shepherd from 2019 until he departed for active military service as a chaplain in 2021. 

Pastor Noah Rogness arrived in 2023 and now serves as Good Shepherd’s pastor, continuing the tradition of preaching Christ Crucified to God’s gathered flock at Good Shepherd.

A framed photo of Reverend Dr. John C. Wile, who served from 1991 to 2006, displayed on a wall. The photo shows him smiling, wearing a suit, clerical collar, and a cross necklace against a brick wall background.
Photograph of Rev. Mark Benning, who served from 2007 to 2019, displayed in a wooden frame.
Framed photograph of Reverend David Wurdeman, who served from 2019 to 2021, smiling and wearing a suit with a clerical collar, glasses, and a cross necklace, against a wooden-paneled background.
Photograph of Reverend Noah J. Rogness, a man with glasses and a beard, dressed in a clerical shirt and blazer, framed and hanging on a wall. The frame has a plaque that reads "Rev. Noah J. Rogness 2023 - Present."

Rooted in the South Wisconsin District

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is a member of the South Wisconsin District, part of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). The LCMS is a doctrinally conservative church body with more than 6,000 member congregations. We are in fellowship with Lutheran church bodies on all five continents worldwide.