Named for the beautiful city park near its historic building, Lake Park Synagogue was organized in 1982 and incorporated officially as an Orthodox congregation in 1983. After meeting in homes and purchasing one building for a sanctuary, the congregation bought its permanent home at 3207 N. Hackett Avenue, dedicated on October 25, 1987.
The congregation hired its first rabbi , Joseph S. Ozarowski, in 1987. These rabbis have also ably served LPS:
LPS has remained a small, participatory congregation since its inception. Over its history it has drawn from its eclectic membership, which includes University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professors and students; leaders in business and the arts; teachers and retirees; professionals in Jewish communal work; and immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Many have and continue to be involved in area Jewish and secular organizations.
The residential house that LPS purchased as its permanent home was built in 1909 as a home for Emanuel and Bertha Philipp. Emanuel Philipp at the time was a prominent businessman, who later became governor of Wisconsin. After Philipp’s death in 1925, his widow remained in the house until 1934. The property changed hands several times and was broken into apartments until it was purchased by LPS. The second floor was reconfigured to an L-shaped sanctuary while the first floor living and dining rooms were preserved to showcase many of the home’s historic features.
The house is situated in a district of Milwaukee designated as historically significant, protected because of its distinguished architecture. The LPS building, built in Colonial Revival style, was designed by perhaps two of the best known Milwaukee architects, George B. Ferry and Alfred C. Clas. This team also designed the Milwaukee Public Library (Central Building), and numerous churches and private homes in Wisconsin.