Westboro Baptist Church's Oak Creek Visit a Small, Quiet One

Six members of the Westboro Baptist Church were greeted by about 20 counter-protesters Sunday morning outside the Oak Creek Assembly of God, 7311 S. 13th St.

The protest was a peaceful one, with each side quietly holding up their signs expressing their point of view.

Several Oak Creek police officers lined the street to not only keep peace but direct traffic. The protest was staged just before Assembly of God's 10:30 a.m. service.

At the end of the demonstration, which lasted about 20 minutes, officers escorted Westboro church members into their vehicle.

The controversial Westboro Baptist Church, which has gained national notoriety for picketing military funerals, visited some of the bigger churches around the Milwaukee area Sunday, including Hales Corners Lutheran, Elmbrook and Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

Westboro said on its website it was demonstrating at Assembly of God "in religious protest and warning. WBC will remind the false prophets and parishioners that God is not mocked, America has turned her back on God's law due to the teachings of false prophets."

The appeared unfazed. The church held its annual in both its 8 and 10:30 a.m. services.

"We're going to celebrate the freedom we have in our nation," said Christine Jacobs, the church's director of media relations. "Because of our freedom, they have right to express their views."