Introduction

This exhibit focuses on how two different religious communities in Milwaukee responded to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic--Blessed Sacrament and City Reformed Church. Blessed Sacrament is a Roman Catholic parish founded in the 1920s on Milwaukee’s southside. It is currently led by Father Mark Payne. Father Mark is supported by a staff that includes Michael Federman, the director of religious education and the parish’s webmaster. Federman was kind enough to provide an oral history of his experience at the parish in light of COVID-19. The other religious community is City Reformed Church. It is located at the corner of Brady and Farwell. Under ten years ago it was planted by Brookfield Christian Reformed Church and is led by Pastor Chris Ganski and Pastor Phil Anderas. 

Though Protestant and Catholic congregations, both community have some shared traits. Both communities of faith have grown and attracted families in recent years. In response to COVID-19, both congregations ceased in-person services in mid-March. While Blessed Sacrament took its directions on this matter from the archbishop, City Reformed Church is led strictly by its pastors. Regardless, both congregations along with scores of others across the city have taken their cue from the nation’s health and political leaders. Another important similarity: while Protestants have historically emphasized the preaching of the word, the Mass rests at the heart of Catholic practices. In this case, though, City Reformed Church puts a strong emphasis on communion and thus both congregations have labored under the deprivation of that particular sacrament.