I wrote about the loss of a church up here in the North Country a while back and yesterday I received this picture of historic Trinity Lutheran in Milawaukee burning down.  It is an ugly sight and our prayers ascend for the Pastor and parishioners.  The following is from Trinity’s history page..

Trinity was founded by immigrants from Pomerania, Germany in 1847 and is
the second oldest Missouri Synod Congregation in Wisconsin.
Trinity has occupied several sites in the Milwaukee area. The first was
on 4th Street between Wells and Kilbourn — from 1847 through 1851.
Trinity’s next location was on 4th and Wells from 1851 through 1878.
Trinity’s current location, known as Terrace Garden, was constructed in
1878. The building was designed by Fredrick Velguth in Victorian Gothic
style. The total cost (in 1878 dollars) was $43,500 ($40,000 for the
church, $3,500 for the organ) which was paid in full by the completion of
construction. The building is built out of cream city brick and rests on
a limestone foundation. The Church is built in the shape of a cross, 145
feet long, 89 feet wide and 54 feet high. There are three towers with
spires, the largest of which is the north tower at 200 feet tall. This
tower is topped by a golden sphere with a cross measuring 14 1/2 feet
tall. The bell tower has 3 real bells (keyed in “D”, ‘F#’ and ‘A’) with a
combined weight of 5263 lbs. These bells still ring today at the start of
each service. All interior woodwork was hand carved from Wisconsin Oak
and Ash. The pulpit, a creation of Gothic art in wood, is shaped like a
communion chalice and topped by a shell-like canopy. Stained glass
windows behind the alter feature the Gospel writers. Above the altar is a
roundel of Jesus and the children. Paintings in the altar, created by
Fredrich Wehle, present two different themes one beginning in Advent and
one in Lent. The original church lighting consisted of two gas-list
chandeliers – one with 72 burners and the other with 48. The current
Belgium wrought iron chandeliers with electric lights were installed in
1942. The building was declared a Milwaukee landmark in 1967, a State
Historical Landmark in 1979 and placed on the National Register of
Historic Places in 1979.