Church Downtown Manitowoc

What is First German?

From the mission work of an immigrant pastor in 1848, to our founding in 1855, to the present day - God has been our Rock, our Refuge, and our Redeemer.

A Rich Heritage

The present church building was constructed in 1873, the same year the Lakeshore Railroad connected Manitowoc with the bustling city of Milwaukee.

Mission work in those days consisted of gathering Lutherans who had already come to America and were looking for a church. Confessional Lutherans found a home at First German under the staunch leadership of several different pastors.

First German continued to adapt and change over the years in many ways. By 1922, English and German services were held together on Sunday mornings. By 1967, weekly German language services came to an end, as the need for such ministry vanished.

We have a vision for the future: "Growing God's Family in Christ!" Come and be a part of the future history of God's grace on 8th and Marshall Streets in Manitowoc!

Our Staff

Get to know our Pastoral staff at First German by clicking on their names below.

Both Pastors are always happy to hear from you, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with anything that may be on your mind.

  • Pastor Jacob Hoff began serving at First German in April of 2020. He previously served a large congregation in Franklin, WI, and before that a small mission congregation in Sterling, Virginia (just outside Washington D.C.).

    Pastor Hoff serves as the full time lead pastor at First German. He is passionate about helping people get to know the heart of God. Whether you grew up learning about God's love or are not sure about your relationship with God, Pastor Hoff would be honored to help you know the love the God of the Bible has for you.

    Pastor Hoff also loves to read, be outdoors (you might see him combining both of these loves - walking the streets of downtown Manitowoc and the lake shore with his nose in a book), and spend time with his family. He is married to Laura. God has blessed them with five children.

    (920) 684-0101 ext. 113

    jhoff@firstgerman.org

  • Pastor Johnston graduated from Milwaukee's Wisconsin Lutheran High School in 1970 and Northwestern College, Watertown, WI, in 1974. He also graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI, in 1978.

    He is married to Jane (nee Gurgel). They have been blessed with five children, all of whom are married. They also count fourteen grandchildren.

    He has served God's kingdom in Bowdle, SD - Deltona, FL - Waunakee, WI - Spooner, WI - Malawi, Africa - and East Brunswick, NJ. Now he is blessed by serving God also here at First German Lutheran Church in Manitowoc.

    920-684-0101 ext. 112

    pastormjohnston@gmail.com

What to Expect in Worship

Because of Christ, the worship of our congregation expresses the joy, hope, and confidence we have with God. We want to receive and know about God’s love for us in Christ. That's the most important piece of worship: God serves us! In turn, we also want to respond with prayers, praises, and thanks. We receive and we praise! This is called liturgical worship.

Liturgical worship has its roots in the practices of the apostles, the earliest days of Christianity. Some parts of the liturgy are identical each Sunday. We do this so that Christ stays central week after week. Other parts of our services change each week (hymns, readings, sermon). This gives a good variety and allows for the full expression of Christ's love for us. Our liturgical worship follows the calendar of the church year, ensuring that Christ’s life and his teachings are the focus.

Preaching also has a central place in our worship services. Music styles may vary, but God works on our hearts through the message of the Bible. Because the Bible is so important, our pastors devote much of their time each week preparing a message firmly rooted in the Bible and firmly applied to your life.

God uses the Gospel in his Word (the Bible) and the Sacraments (Baptism and Holy Communion) to strengthen our faith in Christ. "Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). We value our time together in the gospel, and we would invite you to learn more about us.

We invite you to join us in person or online. We would love to worship the Lord with you!

First German Lutheran School

PreK-8th Grade

First German Lutheran School PreK-8th Grade

First German Lutheran School is a place where children can work and live in the presence of God and His Word every day. At FG, children will learn to know and live a life that is grounded in the Word of God. They will learn to know their Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier.