90-Year-Old Murals Rediscovered at Algoma Church

Saint John's Lutheran displays religious artwork uncovered after nearly 60 years in storage

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:05pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, out-of-focus photograph depicting the interior of a church sanctuary, with the faint outlines of religious murals visible on the walls. The scene is bathed in warm, hazy light, creating a sense of timelessness and reverence.The rediscovery of 90-year-old religious murals at a small-town church sparks a renewed sense of community and nostalgia.Green Bay Today

Saint John's Lutheran Church in Algoma, Wisconsin has rediscovered two 90-year-old murals depicting Jesus that were previously stored away for nearly 60 years. The murals, gifted to the congregation in 1936, were uncovered by chance in 2025 when a church trustee was cleaning a storage room. The church is now displaying the historic artwork and exploring options for restoration or alternate exhibits.

Why it matters

The rediscovery of these 90-year-old murals has sparked nostalgia and excitement within the Saint John's Lutheran congregation, many of whom remember the artwork from the church's previous building. The murals offer a glimpse into the congregation's past and the artistic traditions of the 1930s, providing a unique connection to the church's history.

The details

The two murals, which were installed in the church in 1936, were removed and stored away when Saint John's Lutheran built a new building in 1967. In early 2025, a church trustee named Todd Haltaufderheid was cleaning and reorganizing a storage room when he discovered a tube containing the rolled-up murals, which had been tucked away for nearly 60 years. The murals were then assessed and found to be in relatively good condition, with some plaster damage on the backs.

  • The murals were gifted to the Saint John's Lutheran congregation in 1936.
  • The church built a new building in 1967, at which point the murals were removed and placed in storage.
  • In early 2025, the murals were rediscovered by chance when a church trustee was cleaning a storage room.
  • The murals were put on display at Saint John's Lutheran beginning on Easter Sunday 2026.

The players

Saint John's Lutheran Church

A Lutheran church located in Algoma, Wisconsin that has been part of the community for decades.

Todd Haltaufderheid

The chairman of the Saint John's Lutheran Board of Trustees who discovered the murals while cleaning a storage room in 2025.

Chrisopher Jackson

The pastor of Saint John's Lutheran Church.

Glen Smith

The president of Saint John's Lutheran Church.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This was a gift to the congregation from the young people of 1936.”

— Chrisopher Jackson, Saint John's Lutheran Pastor

“Some of our older members, they actually remember our older church building in which they were installed. And so, there's a great deal of nostalgia about that particular building and about these murals.”

— Chrisopher Jackson, Saint John's Lutheran Pastor

“My wife remembers. She grew up in this congregation, so she remembers them from the old church and when she was a child. So, it was pretty neat for them to see them again.”

— Glen Smith, Saint John's Lutheran President

What’s next

The church is exploring options for the future of the murals, including potential restoration work that could cost between $48,000 and $53,000 for the pair. Alternate display methods are also being considered.

The takeaway

The rediscovery of these historic murals at Saint John's Lutheran Church has rekindled a sense of community pride and connection to the congregation's past. The murals serve as a tangible reminder of the church's long history and the artistic traditions that have been passed down through generations of parishioners.