Music & Art at Immanuel

Where beauty becomes prayer and creativity glorifies God

"We will glorify God in our worship and service, 'equipping the saints' to show the good news of Jesus Christ by the story we tell, by the values we live, by the choices we make."

— From the Mission Statement of Immanuel Presbyterian Church

The Heart of Worship

The public worship of God is the central act of the church. It gathers the greatest number of members in one place at one time to remember who God is, who we are, and what we are to do as God's people.

A worship service is a drama built around four recurring themes, each one essential to our encounter with the divine:

Adoration

Confession

Proclamation

Response

Where the accent is on God's powerful love and grace

Where the accent is on us, who we are in our self-centeredness

Where the accent is on the actions God has taken to forgive us, and call us

Where the accent is on us, on what we may do in response to what God has done for us

This drama is played out in hymns and anthems, the reading and interpretation of the Scriptures, prayers, and sermons. The act of worship is intended to involve our physical, emotional, cultural, and intellectual sensitivities and abilities. It addresses our individual needs, draws us together into a community, and offers a public witness to the meanings and values of Christian faith. Our worship is enhanced and supported by our extraordinary music ministry.

Art in Our Sanctuary

Worship at Immanuel engages all the senses, and our visual arts are no exception. Our sanctuary is itself a work of art—a High Victorian Gothic masterpiece designed by prominent Milwaukee architect E. Townsend Mix and completed in 1875.

The Tiffany Windows

Four original Tiffany stained glass windows grace our sanctuary, bathing worshipers in luminous color that shifts with the sun's movement throughout the day. These aren't just decorative—they're theological statements in glass, telling stories of faith through color, light, and sacred imagery.

Watch how the morning light transforms these windows during worship. See how they glow during our Christmas and Easter celebrations. Notice how they create an atmosphere of reverence and wonder that words alone cannot convey. This is art in service of the divine—beauty that points us toward transcendence.

Architecture as Worship

The soaring Gothic arches, the carefully laid Wauwatosa limestone exterior, the intricate woodwork, the vaulted ceilings—every architectural element of our building was designed to lift the eyes and hearts of worshipers heavenward. The vertical emphasis in the towers and upward-pointing windows are characteristics of Gothic style, creating a space where the sacred feels palpable.

When you worship at Immanuel, you're surrounded by beauty that has been lifting prayers for 150 years. You're standing in a space that generations have hallowed with their presence, their songs, their tears, and their joy.

Immanuel's Historic Pipe Organ

A treasure of music history.

Immanuel's magnificent pipe organ is presided over by organist Steven Jensen. His selections for worship services range across the wide spectrum of the organ repertoire, offering us a powerful stimulus to "lift up our hearts" as we listen and as we sing.

The Hook and Hastings organ dates to 1881 and has undergone three major renovations, each one honoring its heritage while expanding its capabilities. A new console was installed in 2005 and new leather valves were installed on the pipes in 2009. During a major restoration of the chancel in 2012, as part of the Building on Our Foundations project, a new pipe facade was added to be more reminiscent of the original architecture of the building.

The organ features 77 Ranks and is considered an "American Classic" instrument
The Chapel houses a two rank Kilgen organ
The church also has four Steinway grand pianos
Original installation: 1881
Latest restoration: 2012

When Steven's fingers meet the keys and those historic pipes sing to life, the sanctuary is filled with music that has moved congregations for nearly 150 years. It's a sound that connects us to generations of faithful worshipers who have lifted their voices in this same sacred space.

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The Chancel Choir

At Immanuel, the work of the choir is vitally important to our worship. The breadth and depth of emotion conveyed by music is a critical part of praise and thanksgiving. Great words set to great music have their impact multiplied tenfold.

Under Expert Direction

Our choir director, John Komasa, is a skilled conductor and professional voice teacher. He and the pastor plan the choral music of the church to make use of the many periods and styles in the sacred music repertoire, so that, in the course of the year, the congregation is exposed to the richness and variety of the faith in music.

From Renaissance motets to contemporary anthems, from traditional hymn arrangements to challenging modern works, our choir explores the full spectrum of sacred music. You might hear Handel one Sunday and a newly composed piece the next—each selection chosen to deepen the worship experience and connect to the day's scripture and sermon.

Who Sings in the Choir

The church employs bass, tenor, alto, and soprano section leaders for the choir. Otherwise the choir is made up of volunteers who love to sing and who make the commitment of time and energy to serve the church in this way.

Join the Choir

New members are always welcome in the choir. No audition required—just bring your love of music and willingness to serve. Whether you're a seasoned singer or someone who simply loves to lift your voice in praise, there's a place for you. Email us at ipc@immanuelwi.org for information about joining.