Who We Are?

In 1963, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod recognized the need for another Lutheran church in Janesville, and the English District sponsored the venture.  Land was purchased in 1964 by the District from the estate of the late Albert Manthey.  Two years later, the District called the Rev. Eugene Beltz as Mission Developer.  In September, the first meeting of interested families met in the Bank of Janesville Community room.  Eighteen families attended.  The church’s beginning was appropriately stated by the Rev. Harold Hecht, Missions Counselor, English District, “We want to start a fresh, vigorous, new mission minus some of the historical traditions which have impeded the growth and dynamics of God’s people.”

On October 2, 1966, the first service of the “Janesville Mission” was held in the banquet room of the Holiday Inn.  The bulletin contained the following prophetic words, “We who worship for the first time today have no history – only purpose.  We have no achievements – only petitions for God’s grace.  We have no regrets – only a vision based on a promise from Him who said: ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with me.’  May our service please our Lord. Amen.”

By Easter of 1967, the official name of “Janesville Mission” became “The Evangelist of St. Mark Lutheran Church”, honoring the first evangelist.  Rev. Beltz was officially called as Pastor to St. Mark.

In July 1968, St. Mark had it’s last service in the Holiday Inn, and on July 21, 1968, St. Mark held its first service in the newly built building.  A note from the bulletin read, “Since we began as a mission, it seems appropriate that the first service in this building focus on this grand theme of Christianity – we are God’s mission, nothing more, nothing less.”

By 1974, St. Mark outgrew the building.  The approved building expansion added the Fellowship Hall and larger kitchen.  Growth continued into the 1980s, which led to the calling of an Associate Pastor in 1982.  The dual pastorship did not continue long, as Associate Pastor, Rev. Donald Weiss accepted a call at the beginning of 1984.  In addition, Senior Pastor, Rev. Randy Winkel accepted a call at the end of 1984.  In less than a year, Rev. Thomas Spahn was Installed at Pastor on August 26, 1985.

God’s good work continued throughout the 1980s even though attendance went down.  A Christian Clowning Ministry began in the mid 1980s and continued into the 1990s.  An Elders program began in 1990.  Rev. Spahn accepted a call in 1994.  August 1995, Rev. Dean Pittelko accepted the call to serve as Pastor, and in 1996 the Elders were replaced by Deacons.  After Rev. Pittelko accepted a new call in May 1999, Rev. Randall Senn was installed as pastor in June 2000 and served as pastor until September 2001 before God moved him to new things.

Rev. Paul Speerbrecker accepted the call to serve as pastor in 2003.  A stronger emphasis was placed upon the youth, so in 2005 Lay Minister, Amy Nelson accepted a part-time call to serve the youth.  Decline continued throughout the early 2000s.  In 2012, Amy stepped down from her position to focus on parenting her young children.  In 2016, Rev. Speerbrecker retired early in response to a family travesty.

On October 9, 2016, Rev. Brad Urlaub was installed as pastor.  Attendance and membership began to grow.  Amy Nelson returned to staff in 2017.  A new vision was cast: “a congregation striving to Learn more about Jesus in order to Love like Jesus by showing His Love to those around us.”  In addition to the growth, new ministries began and a greater emphasis was placed on being in the community and “Joining Jesus on His Mission.”

The COVID pandemic began in 2019 and scattered the congregation into their homes.  Already having been established online for worship, God continued to grow St. Mark.  Then, for the first time in 40 years, the congregation was able to extend a call to an Associate Pastor.  Rev. Mark Renner accepted the call and was installed on May 29, 2022.

In August 2022, St. Mark Lutheran Church in Janesville signed a “Helping Hands” agreement with Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hanover, WI.  This missional agreement provides Immanuel with pastoral leadership and empowers the congregation to reach out into the community and continue to grow.  The end goal of this agreement is for Immanuel to grow to the point of calling their own pastor.

May 10, 2024, Pastor Mark announced his acceptance of a new call.  At the end of May 2024, the “Helping Hands” agreement with Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hanover, WI comes to an end with St. Mark’s blessing.  The goal of calling their own pastor was not accomplished, however, for the first time in over 20 years, Immanuel enters into a vacancy pastor situation, as Immanuel begins conversations with another congregation with the intent of becoming a multi-point parish.

In November of 2024, Pastor Brad announced his acceptance of a new call.  Even in the midst of transition, God’s hand is at work and leading St. Mark into the future.  What is next?  Come along and see!  Follow with us as we continue to “grow in, point to, and share with all the love of God in Christ Jesus!”