Holy Communion Lutheran Church

Holy Communion Lutheran Church, also known as the First English Evangelical Church of the Holy Communion or 'hope on a hill,' sits at 2000 W 6th St in Racine, Wisconsin, and gathers people from all walks of life in a big limestone building with a slate roof, distinct Neo-Gothic style, and a high Celtic cross at the peak of the gable, and you can really see 43 stained glass windows shining with color around the sanctuary, which all came from a famous designer back in the day. This church, part of the ELCA Lutheran tradition and tied to the Greater Milwaukee Synod, started in 1898 as Racine's first English-speaking Lutheran church, which made it a bit different from others nearby at the time, and years later, it's still known for being diverse and dynamic, welcoming anyone to services and events. The building's pretty unique because it once housed the Luther High School and College Association starting 1902, and you'll notice the old parts mix with the newer 1960s structure, connecting the church and Martin Luther College through a two-story cream brick addition set in the back, almost hidden from the front, plus plenty of dedicated spaces for worship and programs, along with a carved portal at the main entrance and an angel sculpture by Danish artist Bertel Thorvaldsen at the baptismal font. Every Sunday at 9:30 AM, people gather in the big sanctuary filled with light from all those windows, sitting for traditional and contemporary worship, always with Holy Communion and music that tries to bring everyone together, and if someone can't make it in-person, live streaming on Facebook makes it possible to join from home. There are always things going on, with activities for children, youth, and adults, music programs including a choir, adult education sessions, children's ministry, lively church life groups, and options to serve the community through the Social Care Network and missions, all helping folks stay involved and feel supported whatever their age. Special attention goes to youth and families, so everyone has a place, and with a focus on faith, spiritual care, and community support, the pastors challenge and encourage the congregation every week. Services have their own traditions, like how they celebrate Holy Communion and gather with reverence, and at most events, people can connect or spend time in the social spaces, whether for simple gatherings or more organized activities. The area's history means a lot, since the church building goes back to 1928 with a cruciform shape and deep roots in Racine's faith community, listed in the Wisconsin Architectural and History Inventory, reminding everyone that Holy Communion Lutheran Church really is a part of local life and history, always working to welcome all as children of God and keep Christ's love at the center.