London Moravian Church Marks 125th Anniversary with Special Service and Reunion

The Moravian Church in London, Wis., celebrated its 125th anniversary with a special service on Sunday, Oct. 12. The event drew 150-160 attendees, surpassing the sanctuary’s usual capacity of about 85. The service featured prelude music by the Glenwood Moravian Church Trombone Choir of Madison, setting a tone of communal worship and reflection.

Special guest preacher Douglas Bauder, who served as pastor at London from 1982-1992, delivered a message to the congregation. A daughter of the London congregation, Staci Marrese-Wheeler, now pastor at Lakeview Moravian Church in Madison, also played a key role as worship leader. “It was a very special day having Doug and Staci back at the church,” said the Rev. Jane Follmer Zekoff.

Bauder’s time at the church included raising two small children who were active in the congregation. “It has been almost 20 years since Doug and his family have been back so it was really nice for all of us to see them. It was a reunion for many families,” Zekoff added. Invitations for the event were extended to all confirmed members since 1943, bringing approximately 175 people together.

The Moravian Church, one of the oldest Protestant denominations, traces its origins to Bohemia in 1457. The name “Moravian” emerged in eastern Germany in the 1720s, as many members of the church were refugees from the region of Moravia, which was part of the estate of Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf. The denomination’s official name is Unitas Fratrum, or Unity of Brethren.

In 1853, there were approximately 64 Moravian communities in Wisconsin, with London listed as around the 50th community established. Today, there are 17 Moravian churches in the state, reflecting the denomination’s enduring presence and adaptability.

The anniversary celebration highlighted the church’s historical roots and its ongoing commitment to community and worship. The event served as a reminder of the Moravian Church’s long-standing mission to serve and minister to those in need, a theme echoed in Micah 6:8, which calls for justice, mercy, and humble service.

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