A Slovak Beginning on Howe Street
Pentecost Lutheran Church has been part of Racine's east side since Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 1908, when a group of Slovak-speaking immigrants from Austria-Hungary founded the congregation. The church began on Howe Street before relocating to its present home at 2213 Coolidge Avenue. The Slovak heritage is still part of the church's story, even though worship is now conducted in English and draws on hymnals passed down through generations.
Sunday Worship on Coolidge Avenue
Sunday worship is held at 8:30 am and 10:00 am. The congregation is a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and confesses the historic Lutheran teaching summarized in three phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone. Services draw on the Lutheran Service Hymnal alongside a collection known as the "Hymns of Pentecost," a reminder of the congregation's own heritage.
Music has long been a defining feature of worship at Pentecost. On any given Sunday, the balcony fills with some combination of organ, piano, flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, baritone, euphonium, and guitars, weaving together traditional and contemporary sounds. Joyce Hasko serves as organist and helps lead this long-standing musical tradition.
Sunday Mornings for All Ages
Between the two worship services, from 9:45 to 10:45 am, the building hums with classes that run from September through May. Children from age three through the teenage years gather for Sunday School, working through Bible stories and applying them to daily life. Coordinators Amy Luxem and Shana Jacob oversee this program.
Adult Bible Study meets at the same hour, offering a place to dig into Scripture together, ask questions, and grow in shared faith. Additional specialized Bible studies are scheduled on a case-by-case basis throughout the year.
The teen Youth Group also gathers from 9:45 to 10:45 am on Sundays, exploring what it means to live a Christ-centered life. The group, led by Tim Hasko and Kyle Jacob, adds special outings and events to the regular rhythm of the program.
A Congregation Built on Volunteers
Each service relies on a rotation of lay volunteers. Lectors read the week's Scripture, with one or two readers per service. Ushers greet worshipers and dismiss groups for communion. Acolytes, often youth from the congregation, light and extinguish the candles. Communion Assistants help the pastor distribute the sacrament, while an Altar Care team cleans the communion vessels each week. Stewardship opportunities appear in the back of the weekly bulletin for those who want to help with events and missions. Anyone interested can reach out through the church office to get involved.
Community Life Beyond the Sanctuary
Pentecost Lutheran reaches into the broader Racine community in several ways. The annual Block Party draws neighbors in with brats, hot dogs, chips, picnic sides, a bounce house, music, a water balloon toss, and door prizes. Each year the church also collects books for the local Cops 'N' Kids reading center and the Books in Squads program, a small way of supporting literacy across the city.
Vacation Bible School is another highlight of the year, with supper, songs, games, crafts, Bible stories, and snacks for children from the neighborhood and beyond.
The Pentecost Pythons softball team has represented the church in the bottom league of the Racine City League for thirteen consecutive seasons, and Pentecost Volleyball plays Friday nights during the warmer months at Castle Lanes Bowling Alley. Both teams make the congregation a familiar presence in local summer recreation.
Supporting the Mission
Members and friends can support the work of Pentecost Lutheran through electronic funds transfer, in-person giving at worship services, or online giving via PayPal. The church also publishes a monthly newsletter with the calendar and announcements, and members can access a password-protected directory through the church office.