
Our History
Humble Beginings
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.
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.