Tucked into a residential stretch of Brown Street in Oconomowoc, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church & School has been a steady presence in this Lake Country community for more than a century. The congregation traces its roots to 1922, when a small group of believers began gathering to hear God's Word. What started as a one-room schoolhouse with a single teacher has grown into a sprawling ministry that today brings together a church, a fully accredited K-8 Lutheran school, a preschool, and the First Steps child care center, all under one roof and all built on the same confession: the Bible is God's inspired Word, and the good news of Jesus Christ is the only message that creates and sustains saving faith.
That identity as a WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod) congregation shapes everything the church does, from the liturgy sung on Sunday morning to the math lesson taught in third grade to the snacks offered in the infant room at First Steps. Pastors greet students as they arrive for school. Parents volunteer across all three ministries. Church, school, and child care share a single campus and a single mission: to grow together in Christ and share his hope with Oconomowoc and beyond.
A Century on Brown Street
St. Matthew's was founded in 1922, and for nearly a hundred years the congregation has shared the truth of God's Word with both its members and the wider Oconomowoc community. Christian education has been at the heart of that work from the beginning. The Lutheran elementary school that opened alongside the church has never stopped; today it serves students from 3K through 8th grade and is fully accredited by WELSSA, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod's accreditation agency, and recognized by the National Council for Private School Accreditation. The school also participates in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, opening a Christ-centered education to families who could not otherwise afford it.
In 2018, the ministry grew again with the opening of First Steps Child Care Center, an outreach that extends the congregation's care to the youngest children in the area. First Steps offers nurturing, Christ-centered care for infants through five-year-olds, plus before- and after-school care and summer camp for students in 5K through 6th grade. The expansion reflects a conviction that the love of Jesus is meant to wrap around every stage of family life.
Worship on the Weekend
Worship is the heartbeat of St. Matthew's, and three weekly services make it easy for Oconomowoc families to find a time that fits. The church gathers on Saturday at 5:30 PM and on Sunday at 8 AM and 10:30 AM. The 8 AM Sunday service is also livestreamed, so members who are traveling, sick, or homebound can worship alongside the gathered congregation.
St. Matthew's celebrates the Lord's Supper on the second and last Sundays of each month. The congregation practices close communion, meaning the sacrament is shared by people of a common proclamation of faith. Guests are invited to speak with one of the pastors before partaking so the pastors can explain what the church believes about this gift. That practice is rooted in the church's understanding of the Bible's clear teaching on the sacrament.
Music at St. Matthew's is rich and varied. The Church Choir sings for worship and holiday services throughout the school year, with rehearsals on Thursdays at 7 PM. Rejoice, a contemporary ensemble that leads worship with vocals, guitars, keyboard, and other instruments, rehearses on Thursdays at 6 PM. An Adult Handbell Choir rings throughout the year, and small vocal and instrumental groups prepare special pieces tied to the weekend's scripture lessons. Joy Elowski, the Worship and Music Coordinator, also serves as church choir director and head organist.
Services are typically traditional and liturgical, drawing on the historic patterns of Christian worship. Visitors can expect hymn-singing, Scripture readings, a sermon, and a clear proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many services include an offering as part of the worship itself.
What St. Matthew's Believes
The congregation takes its name seriously, and the About Us page walks readers through the meaning of every word. St. Matthew's is, first, a Biblical church: the Bible is God's inspired, infallible Word, completely trustworthy and true. It is Evangelical, named for the Greek word for gospel, meaning good news, because the church's central message is that Jesus is the Savior from sin, death, and the devil. It is Christian, because no human effort can earn God's favor; it is by his love alone that he sent his Son to live and die for us, and salvation is a free gift to all who have faith in Jesus. And it is Lutheran, not because the church worships Martin Luther, but because it confesses the saving truths of God's Word that Luther reclaimed at the Reformation: salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, on the basis of Scripture alone. Those truths are summarized in the Book of Concord of 1580, the confession of what Lutherans believe because it is a correct exposition of Scripture.
The About page distills the church's teaching into four anchor points. The Bible is God's Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit, true, and without error. Jesus is God the Son, born of the virgin Mary, who suffered and died on the cross to pay for all sins. God's full grace and complete forgiveness is freely ours because of Jesus' perfect life and innocent death. And we have sure, true hope for eternity in heaven and peace for today because of Jesus' saving work for us.
St. Matthew's belongs to the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a worldwide Lutheran church body that operates the fourth largest private school system in the United States.
Personal Member Ministry: A Place for Every Gift
One of the most distinctive features of St. Matthew's is its Personal Member Ministry (PMM), a structured process that walks every member from a "Shaped to Serve" Discovery Workshop through matching and on to active service. The premise is simple: every Christian is uniquely gifted by God, and the congregation's job is to help each person discover those gifts and find a place to use them. The process has three steps. First, members sign up for a Discovery Workshop that uncovers their gifts, skills, talents, passions, and temperaments. Second, after the workshop, members meet with a guide to discuss the ministry opportunities that best match their gifts. Third, members are introduced to a ministry leader and welcomed into a serving team.
Eight ministry areas make up the Personal Member Ministry: Caring and Sharing Teams, Event Coordination Teams, Hospitality Teams, Music Teams, PMM Implementation Teams, Production Teams, SHINE Women's Ministry Teams, and Youth Programs. Each one has written role descriptions that lay out duties, tasks, and time commitments, so members know what to expect before they sign up. If a ministry does not turn out to be a fit, the team is happy to help members find a new place to serve.
Behind the scenes, a Discovery Team, an Equipping Team, a Matching and Placement Team, a Recognition and Reflection Team, a Communications Team, a Culture and Awareness Team, and a New Member Team keep the whole system running smoothly. The point, the church says, is more than volunteering: it is about living out faith and making an impact within the church and the community.
A School Woven into the Church
St. Matthew's Lutheran School is the most visible expression of the congregation's commitment to passing the faith to the next generation. The school serves PreK-3 through 8th grade and provides a Christ-centered academic curriculum designed to fully equip students with the tools they need to succeed in and out of the classroom. Lessons are intentionally designed to weave God's Word into every subject, and weekly chapel services bring the whole school together for worship and devotion.
The school year follows a traditional rhythm. The MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test, developed by the Northwest Evaluation Association, is administered in grades 3 through 8 to measure achievement and growth in math, reading, language, and science. St. Matthew's students regularly score far above grade-level average. Classwork is assigned every day, and the school uses the "Rule of 10" guideline: students can expect about 10 minutes of classwork for every grade level, with 1st graders at 10 minutes and 7th graders at 70. Chromebooks are used in grades 3 through 8, and Chrome tablets in K-2, as part of a 1:1 technology environment that the school balances with traditional learning tools.
Student life is busy. Cardinal Sports offer cross country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, track, and dance for students in grades 3 through 8, with teams competing in the Badgerland Lutheran Athletic Conference. Fine arts opportunities include band, handchimes, school musicals, and forensics. After-school clubs rotate through the year, with options like Coding Club, Art Club, Chess Club, Kitchen Club, Robotics, and Environmental Club. Seventh graders head to Camp Phillip in Wautoma each spring for an overnight adventure of geocaching, high ropes courses, and Bible study. Eighth graders take part in Survival Quarter, an eight-week program held each February and March that walks them through resume writing, job interviews, managing checking accounts, navigating real estate, filing taxes, and other adult responsibilities, with volunteer "bosses" from the church community conducting the interviews.
Two programs knit the school together across grade levels. Chapel Buddies pairs older students with younger ones for school-wide chapel services twice a month and occasional fun activities. Cardinal Flocks, mixed-age groups from all grades, meet about six times a year for service projects and team-building. Annual events like Spirit Week and the All-School Kickball Tournament round out the school culture. The Cardinal's NEST (Nurture, Educate, Support through Teamwork), the active parent-teacher group, organizes events and activities throughout the year and encourages 100% parent participation.
Tuition for the 2026-2027 school year is $9,670 for K-8 and includes all textbooks, field trip fees, music program costs, and the yearbook. Financial assistance is available through church membership grants and scholarships, financial need grants, multiple child discounts, and the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program.
The school is led by Principal Tom Plitzuweit, who came to St. Matthew's after serving as principal at St. Paul's Lutheran in Plymouth, Nebraska, and as the Executive Director of WELSSA. He is joined by Jason Dahl, Dean of Students and Athletic Director, and Amy Mamerow, Director of Instruction and Reading Specialist, who has served at St. Matthew's for her entire ministry and completed the Instructional Leadership program through Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Preschool and First Steps: A Christ-Centered Start
St. Matthew's preschool program provides learning experiences and play activities that encourage spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical growth for the congregation's littlest learners. The 3K program offers both a 2-day session (Tuesday and Thursday) and a 3-day session (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), each running from 7:40 to 10:40 AM. The 4K program offers both a morning and an afternoon session Monday through Friday, with the morning from 7:40 to 10:40 AM and the afternoon from 11:40 AM to 2:40 PM.
First Steps Child Care Center, which opened in 2018, extends the same Christ-centered philosophy to the youngest children in the area. The center cares for children from six weeks through age five, plus school-age children in before- and after-school care and summer camp. Hours are Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and families may choose full-day, part-day, or hourly care. Tuition is paid through ProCare, and the center uses a locked-door entry system with a personal code for each family. Snacks and lunch are provided, and the center supplies a sleeping bag, spare clothes, and weather-appropriate outdoor clothing for each child.
Amber Terry leads First Steps as Director, working with a team that includes Karen Nehr in the Nursery, Alyssa Dohmen in the Infant Room, Katie Wagenknecht with the 2-year-olds, Anna Prost with the Toddlers, Emily Stewart with the Young 3's, and Trisha Fritz with the Pre-K class. Nicole Ulrich leads the School Age and Summer Camp programs, with Amanda Nehr as co-lead in the After School Care and Summer Camp programs.
For families with even younger children, Preschool Power Hour offers a nine-week parent-child program each fall and spring. Held on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 10:00 AM in the Flex Room at First Steps, the program includes Bible Time, Music Time, Gym Time, and Art Time. Lessons are aimed at children 18 months through 4 years, with infant siblings welcome at no charge. The cost is $20 per child for the nine-week session.
Kids' Ministry: Sunday Bible School, Pioneers, and VBS
Between Sunday services, St. Matthew's runs a robust Sunday Bible School for children from birth through 6th grade. Children ages 0-3 meet in the 3K Room, children in 3K through 5K meet in the Flex Room, and children in grades 1 through 6 meet in the Sunday School Rooms. The morning includes Bible stories, crafts, songs, and time with friends, all designed to help kids build a strong foundation of faith.
Older children can join the Lutheran Pioneers program, a hands-on, outdoor ministry for boys and girls in grades 1 through 8. Pioneers meet about once a month throughout the school year for activities like woodworking, fire-building, first aid, and camping trips. Each meeting also includes a devotion, grounding every skill in God's Word. The Girl Pioneers and Boy Pioneers are registered separately through the church's online forms.
Each summer, Vacation Bible School invites children age 3 through 6th grade to a week of high-energy games, crafts, music, and Bible lessons, all centered on the love of Jesus. The 2026 VBS registration opened May 1.
Teen Ministry: ACTS and Bible Class
St. Matthew's ACTS (Active Christian Teens) Youth Group welcomes students in grades 7 through 12 to grow in faith, foster fellowship, and serve others. Members are encouraged to invite friends, and the program offers meaningful service opportunities alongside regular social events.
On Sunday mornings at 9:15 AM, teens in grades 7 through 12 gather for a Bible study that recently took a deep dive into Lutheran worship, walking through the liturgy and asking, "Why do we do THAT in worship?" Throughout the year, ACTS also hosts service opportunities, game nights, youth rallies, and Christian leadership experiences. Heather Bigelow coordinates the teen Bible study, and Joy Lenz coordinates events and activities.
Adult Ministry: Bible Study, SHINE, and the 20s/30s Group
At 9:15 AM on Sunday mornings, between the worship services, adults gather for a Bible study that is open to children in 5th grade and older. Summer childcare is available for children ages 0 through 4th grade in the 3K classroom. The Bible Information Class, a foundational course for anyone new to the Bible, curious about the Christian faith, or considering membership at St. Matthew's, meets on Mondays at 6:30 PM, with childcare for children ages 0 through 3.
St. Matthew's also offers a wide range of midweek Bible studies. A women's Bible study meets on Tuesdays at 7:45 AM in the Gathering Space, another on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, and another on Thursdays at 8:30 AM. A men's Bible study and breakfast gathers on the second Saturday of each month at 7:30 AM in the Commons. A 20s/30s Sunday Bible Study meets in the school library on the fourth Sunday of each month (with additional dates in September, October, and November) at 9:15 AM.
SHINE, the women's ministry (Serving Him in Everything), brings women of all ages and stages of life together for Bible studies, prayer groups, retreats, service projects, and special events. The ministry is organized into four teams: Activities, Preservation, Spiritual, and LWMS (Lutheran Women's Missionary Society), each with a unique focus of service. SHINE also coordinates with the Rock River Circuit and national LWMS for rallies, conventions, and the Befriend a Mission program.
The 20s/30s Group offers young adults a place to connect, grow spiritually, and enjoy meaningful community through Bible study, service, and social gatherings. Events are held year-round at church, around town, and in homes, with no sign-up required.
Senior Fellowship and OWLS
St. Matthew's Senior Fellowship gathers older adults from the congregation and the community on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the Gathering Space from 1:30 to 4:00 PM. Each meeting begins with a devotion, followed by cards, games, conversation, and occasional potlucks. The group takes the summer off and resumes in September. Dan Feuerstahler can answer questions about the fellowship.
St. Matthew's is also part of OWLS, the Organization of WELS Lutheran Seniors, a ministry that connects older adults from across the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod for fellowship, learning, and service. Through OWLS, seniors can attend local and regional gatherings, grow in faith through devotions and Bible study, and support missions and ministry projects.
Outreach, Mission, and Community
Sharing the gospel beyond the church walls is woven into the life of St. Matthew's. The congregation partners with WELS Home Missions, supporting the synod's "100 Missions in 10 Years" initiative to plant new churches. Each fall, a Mission Festival brings a WELS district leader to preach and teach about how the gospel is reaching new people and new places.
Local outreach takes many forms. The SHINE Activities Team runs an annual Kids Coat Drive to collect new or gently used children's coats, hats, and mittens for New Beginnings - A Home for Mothers. Members have welcomed new neighbors with welcome bags assembled and delivered around the church campus. Faith in Action Day fills a Saturday with short-term service projects for church and school families, and the Live Nativity is held on the third Saturday in December with three outdoor performances. A Trunk or Treat brings the community to the church each October, and a Christmas 4 Kids event serves children in 3K through 6th grade with games, crafts, and a birthday party for Jesus.
The church also regularly gathers offerings for WELS missions and supports Lakeside Lutheran High School, the area Lutheran high school, as part of its benevolence.
Music and the Arts
Music is a deep tradition at St. Matthew's. The Church Choir sings regularly for worship and holiday services. Rejoice, the contemporary ensemble, leads more upbeat music with guitars, keyboard, and other instruments. The Adult Handbell Choir rings throughout the year. Small vocal and instrumental groups prepare special music tied to the weekend's scripture lessons. Students at the school sing in chapel, perform in school musicals, and have the option to participate in band, handchimes, and forensics.
Pastors and Staff
St. Matthew's is led by Coordinating Pastor Steven Hillmer, who accepted the call to St. Matthew's in 2019 after serving WELS congregations in Georgia and Nevada. A graduate of Winnebago Lutheran Academy, Martin Luther College, and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Pastor Hillmer and his wife Jennifer have four sons, three of whom attend Luther Prep or St. Matthew's. Outreach Pastor Philip Bigelow joined the staff after serving congregations in Illinois and Michigan. Discipleship Pastor Mark Voss came to Oconomowoc from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Long Valley, New Jersey, and focuses on nurturing the faith of those sitting in the pews and the chairs in the classrooms. Ministry Assistant Pastor Aaron Christie, who serves as dean of chapel and professor of worship and homiletics at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, also preaches and teaches at St. Matthew's.
The operational side of the church is run by Business Administrator George Zaferos, Office Administrator Jennifer Manssen, and Communications Manager Connie Abram. The school is led by Principal Tom Plitzuweit, with Jason Dahl as Dean of Students and Athletic Director and Amy Mamerow as Director of Instruction and Reading Specialist. The First Steps child care center is led by Director Amber Terry.
Giving and Practical Details
St. Matthew's supports its ministry through the generous gifts of its members, given in grateful response to the good news of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus. Gifts support the gospel ministry of the church and school, the area Lutheran high school Lakeside Lutheran High School, and Wisconsin Synod missions. Giving is available online through Pushpay, by texting "GIVE" to 833-921-6451, in person during most worship services, or by mail to 1650 Brown St., Oconomowoc, WI 53066. Tuition payments can be made online as well, and families can earn rebates for the school through the RaiseRight gift card program.
Visitors who want to know what to expect at a service are encouraged to simply show up. The church office can be reached at 262-912-6060, the school office at 262-912-6364, and the First Steps center at 262-912-6338. The church campus is located at 1650 Brown Street in Oconomowoc, with parking available on site. The congregation's Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels share worship previews, news, and ministry updates, and a sermon archive is available online for those who want to listen back or catch up.
For more than a hundred years, St. Matthew's has been a place where Oconomowoc families come to grow in God's Word, raise their children in the faith, and serve their neighbors in the name of Jesus. The ministries have grown and the building has changed, but the central message has not: the Bible is true, Jesus is the Savior, and the good news of what he has done is for every person who hears it.