Trinity Freistadt Historical Society
A Legacy of Faith.
A Story for Every Generation.
Formed in 1965, the Trinity Freistadt Historical Society exists to…
“To glorify and give thanks to God, and to share the knowledge of what HE has done for us!”
The Trinity Historical Society operates and maintains historical portions of the Trinity Freistadt grounds. Putting on events each year, the Historical Society hosts reenactments, demonstrations, picnics, and concerts.
The Pomeranian Immigration to Freistadt
How did a group of 40 families from Pomerania, Prussia, find themselves in the wilderness of what would become Wisconsin in 1839? Although we learned in history class that people emigrate for many reasons, including economic opportunity and famine, the people who came to the future Freistadt came for religious reasons.
Wilhelm Iwan wrote an account of the immigration to Freistadt in 1840, as recorded in “Altlutherische Auswanderung”. Those books have been translated. The full set is available in three volumes elsewhere on this page: “Old Lutheran” Emigration of the Mid-19th Century from Eastern Germany (Mainly Pomerania and Lower Silesia) to Australia, Canada and the United States.
LeRoy Boehlke, a long-time historian at Trinity Freistadt, summarized this part of Iwan’s writings. His work appears in The Hidden Historical Treasures of Trinity Freistadt Lutheran Church, which is also available by checking elsewhere on this page.
This Pomeranian emigration story has been divided into five parts:
Why Did They Leave? Prussia from 1817 – 1835
Religious Freedom and the Old Lutherans in Prussia
The Old Lutherans’ Attempts to Leave Prussia
Leaving Pomerania in 1839
The Journey to America
The Ocean Journey
The Journey from New York to Milwaukee
The Rest of the Trip: The Erie Canal & Great Lakes
Getting Settled in Freistadt
The Settlement
Publications for Sale
If you are interested in purchasing these items, please send a check to: Trinity Freistadt Historical Society, 10729 W. Freistadt Rd. Mequon, WI 53097.
Include the name of the book you would like mailed to you.
Freistadt and the Lutheran Immigration
Frenz, Alice, LeRoy Boehlke, and Don Silldorff. Freistadt and the Lutheran Immigration. Mequon, Wis: The Society, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Freistadt, 1989.
Includes a brief history of the Old Lutherans, a name index to more than 600 family names of Pomeranian emigrants who settled in Freistadt, Wis., some family letters, and information about Heinrich von Rohr. 142 pages, maps and photos
$10.00 + $5.00 shipping
English Translation of Die Altlutherische Auswanderung Um Die Mitte Des 19
Iwan, Wilhelm. English Translation of Die Altlutherische Auswanderung Um Die Mitte Des 19. Jahrhunderts: “Old Lutheran” Emigration of the Mid-19th Century from Eastern Germany (Mainly Pomerania and Lower Silesia) to Australia, Canada and the United States. Mequon, Wis.: Freistadt Historical Society, 2003.
This three-volume set describes the emigration from Pomerania and Prussia to America from 1838 to 1864. (566 p.), maps, plans. Please note: If you are only interested in Volume III, the name list, please purchase the next item below.
$60.00 + $8.00 shipping
English Translation of William Iwan’s Name List, Chapter XX: Old Lutheran Emigration of the Mid-19th Century : Volume III
Iwan, W. English Translation of William Iwan’s Name List, Chapter XX: Old Lutheran Emigration of the Mid-19th Century : Volume III. Mequon, WI: Freistadt Historical Society, Trinity Lutheran Church of Freistadt, 2002.
Includes over 1000 names of Prussian people and places, including Pomeranians, who emigrated starting in 1838. From Iwan’s Old Lutheran Emigration, Chapter XX. 91 pages. Please note that this is Volume III of the item above.
$20.00 + $5.00 shipping
The Hidden Historical Treasures of Trinity Freistadt Lutheran Church
Boehlke, LeRoy. The Hidden Historical Treasures of Trinity Freistadt Lutheran Church. Mequon, WI: Trinity Freistadt Historical Society, 2013.
A compilation of newsletters written between 1969-2013. Includes reasons the early settlers came to America, Fourth of July picnic, reminiscences from older members, notes from early pastors, history of Freistadt area and growth of historical site.
303 pages + index.
$20.00 + $6.00 shipping
The Chronicle of Rev. L.F.E. Krause
Krause, Rev. L.F.E.. The Chronicle of Rev. L.F.E. Krause. Mequon, WI: Freistadt Historical Society, Trinity Lutheran Church of Freistadt. Translated and Edited by Roy Suelflow in 1945, published @ 1970.
Trinity Freistadt’s Rev. Krause was the first Lutheran pastor to work in Wisconsin. This chronicle details church life from 1841-1848. Describes the weather, church life and holidays, the building of the second church and more.
50 pages.
$5.00 + $1.00 shipping
The History of Trinity Lutheran Congregation, 1839 – 1954
Suelfow, Roy A. and August R. Suelflow, The History of Trinity Lutheran Congregation, 1839 – 1954. Mequon, WI: Trinity of Freistadt Historical Committee, 1954.
Includes summaries of church life during tenures of pastors during this period, including their photos; history of school and early teachers; organizations and sons and daughters of congregation in 1954; more photos and map of Freistadt. 40 pages.
$5.00 + $1.00 shipping
By the Grace of God: The History of Trinity Lutheran Congregation, Volume II
Boehlke, LeRoy, et.al. By the Grace of God: The History of Trinity Lutheran Congregation, Volume II. Mequon, WI: Trinity of Freistadt Historical Committee, 1964.
From the introduction: “In this volume we are presenting the story of the people who made up the early congregation, where they came from, why they came, and how they worked and lived.” Includes short history of the emigration, essays on farm life, weddings, funerals, early businesses, recreation, food and clothing.
$5.00 + $1.00 shipping
