Skip to main content

The George W. Boldt Papers

 Collection
Identifier: B007

Scope and Contents

The collection is made up of materials created by and collected by Rev. George W. Boldt. The collection reflects the life of a very active man balancing his involvement between his congregation, district and synod. Many items reflect that the Lord gave this man the talents and abilities to carry out the many tasks assigned to him particularly between 1970 and 1983. The collection also reflects the overall pastoral concern for souls that dominated his every decision, statement and reply, whether they be on the congregational, district or synod levels. The collection consists of the following series: Series 1: Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod documents Series 2: Documents on Boldt’s divine calls Series 3: Assignments, calls and colloquies – Southeastern Wisconsin District Series 4: Case files of pastors, teachers, laypeople and congregations Series 5: Protes’tant controversy documents Series 6: Kokomo controversy documents Series 7: Circuit pastor reports Series 8: Correspondence and reports on retirements and resignations Series 9: Documents on staff and teaching ministry Series 10: Wisconsin Lutheran College documents Series 11: Miscellaneous documents Series 12: Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Morton Grove, IL documents Series 13: Documents on vicarships Series 14: Exegetical papers and essays Series 15: Documents on synodical and district stewardship Series 16: Correspondence Series 17: Southeastern Wisconsin District documents Series 18: Documents on WELS/LC-MS doctrinal issues Series 19: Documents on the roles of man and woman Series 20: Documents on church and state.

Dates

  • 1935 - 1981

Creator

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Biographical / Historical

George W. Boldt was born on November 28, 1918, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Boldt. He was baptized at St. Lucas Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. He received his elementary school education at St. Lucas Lutheran School and was confirmed at St. Lucas in 1932. After grade school, Boldt attended Northwestern Preparatory School and College in Watertown, WI. He received his BA from there in June 1940. From there he attended and graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI in June 1943. In June 1943, Boldt was assigned to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lannon, WI. On October 23, 1943, Boldt married Miss Anita Quade of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The couple was blessed with four children—one son: Paul and three daughters: Gretchen, Annette and Rachel. From 1948 to 1951, Boldt also served at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Theresa, WI and from 19511955, he served at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Roscoe, SD. On April 17, 1955, he was installed as pastor of Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Morton Grove, IL. He served there actively until his death in June 1983. In 1972, Boldt was elected president of the Southeastern Wisconsin District, responsible for 140 congregations including his own. He served in that capacity until his death, being re-elected five times. In 1973, he was elected as second vice-president of the Wisconsin Synod. He was re-elected five times to the vice-presidency as well. With the death of Pres. Oscar J. Naumann in 1979, Boldt became first vice-president of the WELS, as Carl H. Mischke became president. He served in this position until his death. Throughout his ministry Boldt served in numerous other district and synodical offices, including the Committee for Synod Administrative Structure, Committee on Grants and the Board for Home Missions. Mischke is quoted in Boldt’s August 1983 obituary in the Northwestern Lutheran, “Although Pastor Boldt served on a variety of boards and committees of the Synod and was elected to several of its key posts, he remained a pastor through and through. His pastoral approach, his obvious love for people, his burning desire to share Christ, were the hallmarks of his ministry which gave a special quality to his counsel and decisions as an administrator.” On the morning of June 10, 1983, George W. Boldt died suddenly in a Flint, Michigan hospital following a heart attack and joined his Savior in the eternal rest at the age of 64. Funeral services were held at Jerusalem Lutheran Church on June 12. President Carl H. Mischke preached the sermon. A memorial service was conducted on June 13 in Boldt’s home church, St. Lucas, Milwaukee, WI. President Winfred B. Nommensen of Milwaukee, Boldt’s successor as district president, preached the sermon. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Milwaukee.

Extent

4 Box : 4 record boxes containing 124 file folders.

Language of Materials

English

Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the TestR1 Repository

Contact: