Bethesda Lutheran Home

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Bethesda Lutheran Home

Bethesda Lutheran Communities

Founded 1904

1904

On April 13, 1904, Bethesda opened its doors in a rented building on Margaret Street and was called The Faith House. There were five clients and eight staff members. The Faith Home was unable to renew its lease and moved to Milwaukee for three years. In 1909, the facility moved back to Watertown and relocated to new quarters constructed on 40 acres of donated land. It offered jobs and training to the people they supported. Some early jobs included basket weaving and rug making. When more land was added the facility began farming and raising their own food [the name Bethesda did not appear until 1924].

1905

(Feb 23) After considerable discussion the assembly (Madison) today ordered two engrossments of the Racek bill exempting forty acres of land belonging to the Evangelical Lutheran home for Feeble Minded at Watertown from taxation. The authorities of the home, which has been conducted in rented premises for several years, have purchased a tract of land near the outskirts of Watertown and are now engaged in raising money with which to erect the necessary buildings for the institution. The bill was opposed on the grounds that it might open the door to abuses by enabling asylums and sanitariums conducted for private gain to escape taxation.

(June 4) W. K. Weissvrodt, superintendent of the Lutheran Home for Feeble-Minded and Epileptics, left Monday for Vineland, New Jersey, where he will attend a meeting of the Association of Officers of American Institutions for Idiotic and Feeble-Minded-Persons. On his return he will stop at Elwayn, Pa., Polk, Pa., Columbus, Ohio, and Fort Wayne, Ind., to inspect the homes there and secure ideas as to the best plans for the proposed home to be built at Watertown. He will arrive here June 9.

1905

(July 14) We are informed, that the trees on the beautiful grounds where the exercises of the Ev. Luth. Home for the Feeble Minded were held Sunday, are to be cut down and the land platted into residence lots. It is a shame. The land should be purchased by the city and converted into a park. There are only two small parks in the city, which are all out of proportion to its population and prospective growth. It is a matter that should receive the attention of the mayor and common council at its regular meeting.

1905

Last Friday the board of Lutheran Home for Feeble Minded and Epileptic met at St. Mark's church . . . W. K. Weissbrogt, Supt. of the Home reported 40 inmates at present and that 6 more were admitted. This is the capacity of the Home so at present applicants for admission must wait until vacancies occur. The large number of school classes makes it necessary to give Supt. Weissbrogt assistance in the shape of a second assistant which will be engaged as soon as a suitable person is found. The school is progressing nicely, and at present preparing a program for a Christmas service which will take place in one of the Lutheran churches on Second Christmas Day eve.

1905

12 22

CHRISTMAS AT THE LUTHERAN HOME

FOR FEEBLE MINDED AND EPILEPTICS

The children will have a Christmas tree at the Home, and receive their presents early on the first Christmas Day. On account of lack of room this affair must be of a private character.

But to give all friends of the institution a chance to celebrate with us, arrangements have been made to render a Xmas program at St. John's Lutheran Church. Corner N. Fifth and Cady streets. This children's service will be held December 26, 7:15 p.m.

1908

01 15 Milwaukee News: Plans have been prepared for a home for feeble minded and epileptics, in Watertown, Wis., and when the building is completed, the temporary home at 1380 Humboldt Avenue, this city [Milwaukee], will remove to the new quarters. It is estimated that the building, which will be of solid brick, three stories high, will cost $25,000, and will furnish accommodations for sixty inmates. There are thirty-nine children in the present home, with a waiting list of 175 now on hand. In view of these conditions the plans for the new building have been prepared with a view to the enlargement without defacing the architecture, from time to time, as the finances will permit. The home is supported by the synodical conference, and a site for the building embracing forty acres of land with the corporate limits of the city of Watertown has been donated by the congregations, in the synod, independent, of the synod itself. WG

09 11 On Lutheran Feeble-Minded Home site purchased last year in this city, it was decided to begin work on the building this fall. Cost of the home will be about $30,000. WG

10 02 F. J. Winker, who purchased the "Faith Home" in the Fifth ward last week at sheriff’s sale for $1675.50, has had an offer for it at a considerable advantage. WG

10 16 Site for new home visited; site for building staked out WG

1909

03 26 Bids for new Lutheran Home for Feeble Minded WG

07 02 Lutheran Home Corner Stone Laid

A large number of people attended the laying of the corner stone of the Home for Feeble Minded [Bethesda] now being built in the southeastern part of the third ward, on what is known as “Boomer’s Pasture.” In the corner stone were placed copies of the local newspapers, the names of the president of the United States, of the governor of Wisconsin and the mayor of Watertown, with a brief history of the erection of the home and the movement for the establishing of it.

Rev H. F. Eggers, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, officiated. The English address was delivered by Rev. O. Hagerdorn of Milwaukee, and Rev. J. T. Boeger of Racine spoke in German. W. K. Weissbrodt, superintendent of the Feeble Minded Home in Milwaukee, read the history of the home since it was established. St. John’s church band and the mixed choir of St. Mark’s Church furnished music for the occasion. The corner stone is a plain block of sandstone and on its face is inscribed “A. D. 1909.”

The building will be a three story brick and basement, the main building 48x87, with two wings 35x74 feet and 28x74 feet. Alderman Charles Huenefeld of Watertown has the carpenter contract and Henry Schmidt of Milwaukee the contract for the mason work. Otto Biefeld & Co. has the plumbing contract and Grossert & Kuehn the sheet metal work. The building will be steam heated, electric lighted and contain everything modern. It is admirably situated on the west bank of Rock River and will be a very pleasant home for the feeble minded people to be housed in. It will accommodate about 80 pupils and the superintendent and family. The contract calls for it being finished by October 15. WG

1910

05 09 WDTimes

Lutheran Home Dedicated Sunday

Vast Assemblage Witness the Ceremonies in the Morning and Afternoon

MUSICAL SOCIETIES TAKE PART

New Home For Feebleminded Children Formally

Dedicated With Appropriate Exercises

Many Ministers Present

The new Lutheran Home for Feeble Minded Children recently constructed in the Third ward, was formally dedicated with appropriate services Sunday. The program included services in the morning and afternoon, as a vast assemblage was present on both occasions, several hundred people coming from Milwaukee in the morning. Excellent arrangements had been made to look after the comfort of the visitors and the wants of the inner man were supplied on the grounds, dinner being served for all who desired to partake.

The Northwestern University band and the mixed choir of St. Mark's and St. John's churches, together with a choir from Milwaukee, assisted in the program. The morning services were conducted by the Rev. C. Gausewitz of Milwaukee and were in German. In the afternoon the Rev. W. Uffenbeck of Portage conducted the services and the English address was delivered by the Rev. H. Fredrich of Hellenville. The ceremonies were very impressive, the large audience at times joining in the hymns. The following program was carried out:

Morning
Music	N. W. U. Band
Hymn	Choir
Hymn	Congregation
Dedicatory services
Sermon	Rev. C. Gausewitz
Hymn	Choir
Hymn	The Children
Hymn	Congregation
Benediction
Hymn	Congregation
Afternoon
Music	N. W. U. Band
Hymn	Choir
Hymn	Congregation
Sermon	Rev. W. Uffenbeck
Hymn	Choir
Sermon	Rev E. Fredrich
Hymn	Choir
Hymn	Congregation
Benediction
Hymn	Congregation

The cornerstone of the building was laid with impressive services on Sunday, June 27, 1909. The building is of brick, three stories in height and commands a view of the entire country surrounding, it being built on an eminence which overlooks Rock River to the east and the city proper to the north. It is steam heated and supplied with all modern conveniences found in institutions of this character. Its water supply is secured from artesian wells, the systems being patterned after the Kewaunee method, the water being forced by air pressure to the various parts of the buildings. It has its own sewer system and the place is lighted with electricity. The main building is 87 x 48 feet with wings 74 x 35 and 37 x 28 feet respectively. It is delightfully situated on the brow of a hill overlooking Rock River and is an ideal spot for such an institution, being far enough removed from the city proper although within its borders. The home is recognized by both synods of the church and is capable of housing 100 inmates.

1924 The name Bethesda appears for the first time.

1949 Good Shepherd Lutheran Home of the West, later known as Good Shepherd Communities, established by Bethesda WDT

1954 Constantly increasing requests and applications for admission to the Bethesda Lutheran Home here have resulted in more and more emergency entries of patients for whom immediate care must be provided, with the result that the home is now constructing additional facilities to meet the need, it was disclosed today in a report by officials of the home. The institution has become more and more overcrowded as a result of the new admissions and something had to be done to reach a solution, the report pointed out. Early in the spring of 1954 the board of directors of the home decided to build the most economical facilities possible which would serve the largest number quickly. The building was planned later to be used for other purposes when sufficient room became available in permanent quarters. For this purpose a Quonset type construction was decided upon. Construction has been started on the emergency dormitory to house 25 older boys and men. A couple to serve as house parents are already at Bethesda in the persons of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Hedricks. The building is to be of steel construction with adequate insulation and all modern conveniences. A steam convector heating system is to be used in the living quarters while the large bedroom is to be heated by Modine radiators. 11 12

1955 An announcement revealing recent activities and future plans at the Bethesda Lutheran Home was issued here today following the annual meeting of the board members of the institution. It is estimated the planned building program at Bethesda Lutheran Home will amount to approximately $2,000,000 in the construction of a four-story hospital type dormitory for aged patients, and to include an infirmary and various types of therapy. A new school of ten rooms and junior size gymnasium is also to be constructed. Finally, the remodeling program will be completed as a part of the building program. 10 22

1955 The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, of which St. John's Church of Watertown is a member, today announced plans for its $5,000,000 building campaign which is to be held Sunday, March 20 in 4,000 churches of the synod throughout the United States. The Bethesda Lutheran Home is one of five auxiliary organizations of the church body which is to share in the funds of the campaign. The Bethesda Lutheran Home's share is $1,700,000 which is to be used to complete a vast remodeling program at the institution and to erect new dormitories and a school for the mentally retarded persons for which it provides care and training. 02 25

1956 Plans are well advanced for a two million dollar expansion program at the Bethesda Lutheran Home, it was announced yesterday by the Rev. Clarence F. Golisch, superintendent. “We are bursting at the seams,” the superintendent said. He reported that the institution is caring for 466 patients, which is many more than state regulations allow. After the expansion program is completed, the institution will accommodate 750 patients. He prophesied, because of the great demand for the type of care offering by Bethesda, that eventually there would be a thousand patients with the expanded facilities designed for 750. 01 04

1956 In a letter which Bethesda Lutheran Home officials have sent to the Water Commission here, the needs for better fire protection at the institution, through added water facilities being made available in the area, are being stressed. The letter asks extension of a six-inch water line for a distance of 2,225 feet to be part of the proposed project. This would enable more water hydrants in case of need in fires and the installation would favorably affect the institution's fire insurance rating. 05 11

1956 A notable milestone in the history of the Bethesda Lutheran Home took place yesterday afternoon when ground breaking ceremonies were held for two new buildings - a hospital or adult building and a school. The cost of the two units will be $2,000,000. The new facilities will enable the institution to handle 750 patients, which is almost 300 more than the current population. The first shovel of dirt for the new adult or hospital building was turned by Louis Pingel, who until his retirement has been superintendent of the institution for nearly 30 years, whose long range planning has included the present building program. The second shovel was turned by Dr. Otto F. Dierker, president of the board; and the third by the Rev. Clarence F. Golisch, superintendent. The first shovel of dirt for the school was turned by Chaplain Adolph M. Harstad. Other shovels were turned by Arthur Mallow, member of the board, and Walter Manthey, treasurer and member of the board. 06 17

1957 The two newest buildings at the Bethesda Lutheran Home which are now nearing completion are to be dedicated on Sunday, Oct. 20. Those buildings are the $1,300,000 Ritter Memorial Dormitory, partial use of which has been promised in September, and the new $200,000 Pingel School, named in honor of Louis Pingel, for many years superintendent of the home. The new dormitory includes a geriatric area for older patients and a completely equipped infirmary. There is also special space for emotionally disturbed residents. The Pingel School building has nine classrooms, with additional classrooms if needed, as well as recreational space, teachers' offices and the like. Orville Madsen and Son, Minneapolis, are the general contractors and the architects are Edgar A. Stubenrauch and Associates of Sheboygan. 08 13

1958

01 29 Louis Pingel, “The Grand Old Man of Bethesda,” honored. Associated with the home for 50 years WDT

04 03 Plans announced for dual dedication services on Sunday, April 13 and Sunday, April 20, for newly completed Louis Pingel School, the Linda Ritter Memorial Dormitory, and the Manual Arts School. WDT

04 11 The first of two dedication services for the Louis Pingel School, the Linda Ritter Memorial Hospital and the Manual Arts School at the Bethesda Lutheran Home was held yesterday afternoon at the home. WDT

Bethesda Thrift Shop started WDT

07 22 Plot of ground deeded to the Watertown Historical Soc so to erect a log cabin on the site, in addition to historical marker. WDT

10 16 Ed Rindfleisch new president; retirement of Dr. Otto F. Dierker WDT

12 19 New life-size figurines enhance Christmas scene at home WDT

1959

03 20 Earl E. Mundt, resignation of; superintendent of BLH for many years WDT

08 01 Col. Clarence F. Golisch, executive director of Bethesda, ordered to report for duty, Army Reserve WDT

1979

04 02 Bethesda 75th Anniversary Service WDT

1980

10 22 Three buildings at Bethesda Lutheran Home have been demolished to make room for a badly needed parking lot. The oldest unit, the Eggers building, was erected in 1909 for a cost of $35,000. The second section of the Eggers building was constructed in 1913. In 1922 the Tetzlaff building, part of a $175,000 building project, was put up. It was connected to the Eggers building by a long corridor which after remodeling to the front and rear became the Prange building. In recent years it housed administrative offices which have been moved to the remodeled Pingel School building. None of the demolished units met state fire codes and residents hadn't lived there for three to four years. Besides tearing down the three buildings, the back wall of the chapel, which was the front wall of the Tetzlaff building, was also destroyed. A new wall and gift shop will be constructed. In addition to the gift shop and parking area, Bethesda opened its new lobby about two weeks ago.

11 26 Bethesda Lutheran Home will lay the cornerstone for its new chapel and spiritual life center at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. An open house in the home's newly remodeled areas and presentation of the 1980 Pool of Bethesda Award are also planned in conjunction with the event. Following the ceremony, the 1980 Pool of Bethesda Award will be presented to Dr. Clarence Golisch, who headed Bethesda from 1950 to 1972. The award was created by the home in 1979 to recognize outstanding contributions of service and leadership in the field of mental retardation. Previous recipients are Dale Evans Rogers and Chaplain Herbert Munderich of California.

1982

11 27 A $717,000 project at Bethesda Lutheran Home will result in the relocation of 46 residents to updated quarters and the addition of two services. The 13,107-square-foot lower level of Dierker Building C will be partitioned into 10 four-bed and three two-bed rooms. Each room will have bath and toilet facilities and built-in wardrobes. The residents will be moved into Dierker C from the third floor of the Ritter Building, which will be converted into a resource and diagnostic center.

1985

01 25 Bethesda employees honored WDT

02 22 Alexander Napolitano, executive director, 10 years of service WDT

1992 Bethesda Lutheran Home renamed Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services.

1997

07 06 Dr. Alexander L. Napolitano, executive director at Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services Inc. for the past 23 years, will retire at the end of the year. Napolitano, chief executive officer of one of the nation's largest providers to people with mental retardation, will retire on Jan. 1, 1998. Served as executive director since Feb. 1, 1975. During Napolitano's tenure, Bethesda has grown from the Watertown campus and two local group homes to 39 Bethesda-owned facilities, nine supported apartments and four service offices in 11 states. WDT

12 14 Dr. F. David Geske has been named executive director WDT

1998

09 18 Dr. Alexander Napolitano honored, administration building named after WDT

11 18 Watertown Community Child Care move to Bethesda; conditional use permit approved WDT

1999

08 24 Restructuring; seven living areas headed by program directors

09 02 Harvey Krueger, volunteer WDT

11 17 September Bethesda Country Fair, $160,000 check WDT

2006 Good Shepherd Communities becomes Bethesda subsidiary

2007

11 15 Annual Country Fair at the Dodge County Fairgrounds discontinued. WDT

2009