University Lutheran Church (ULC) has deep roots in the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Lutheran students have been active on campus since the 1933, with a meeting house and full-time counselor acquired in 1957. An article in the October 4, 1960, edition of The Lutheran Herald had this description of the campus Lutheran Student Association: “Perhaps the optimum situation in the Wisconsin State College system exists at Eau Claire where the LSA is lodged in a lovely 11-room mansion which is located across the street from the college’s campus school building…. And this condition is the goal of other LSA groups.”

In 1961, the Rev. Willis Gertner was called to be a full-time ordained minister for the group, bringing increased possibilities for worship within the LSA. Sunday worship services began in the student house in a small upstairs chapel; in 1967, transitioned to the Sacred Heart Hospital chapel near upper campus. In 1970, the organization—now known as Campus Lutheran Church—moved into the Ecumenical Religious Center on campus, sharing space with the Newman Center and United Ministries in Higher Education. The student congregation operated as a Campus Mission Extension Center of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. 

In 1972, a committee began studying the possibility of establishing the campus church as a bona fide parish of both the American Lutheran Church and Lutheran Church in America. Both entities approved the request, and University Lutheran Church received its charter on April 21, 1974. Now more than 50 years old, ULC continues its ministry of Word and Sacrament as a member of the ELCA, living out its mission statement of thankfully worshiping God, gracefully welcoming all, and joyfully serving campus and community (Written by long-time ULC Member Wendy Kinderman—university student and LSA member in the early 70's).