Day 197: Sikh Temple, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

📌APIA Every Day (197) - The Sikh Temple of Wisconsin was formally established in October 1999, but its roots trace back to 1997 when a small group of Sikh families began gathering in rental community halls in Milwaukee's south side. The initial location at 441 E Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee, served a growing congregation of 450-500 people. However, as the community expanded, the need for a larger space became apparent.

To accommodate this growth, the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin purchased 13 acres of land at 7512 S Howell Ave near the airport in Oak Creek. Construction of a new 17,500 square foot Gurdwara was completed on April 13, 2007. This new facility featured a library, educational areas for children, a play area, ample parking, and space for childcare. It also provided accommodations for visiting ragi jathas (priests) from around the country and the world.

Tragically, on August 5, 2012, this temple became the site of a mass shooting carried out by a white supremacist. Six people were fatally injured, and several others were wounded, drawing national and international attention discussions about hate crimes and religious tolerance. Despite this tragedy, the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin continues to serve its community, offering religious services, language instruction, and collaborating with cultural organizations to preserve and celebrate Sikh heritage. It begs the question of how we can preserve religious institutions when horrific or significant events have occurred there?

LEARN MORE:

Sikh Temple of Wisconsin: About Sikh Temple of Wisconsin

NPR: Wisconsin's Sikh community a decade after fatal temple shooting

YouTube: Remember Oak Creek: 10 Years Later

ProPublica: Sikhs in America: A History of Hate

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