A Brief History
of The
Lutheran Church
Missouri Synod

Church History

Announcements

"As we build"
(progress on the new church)

Meeting Times

Calendar

Council's Page

Women's Page

Men's Page

Youth Page

Home Page

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod traces its origin to 750 Saxon immigrants who came to Missouri in 1839 seeking freedom from religious rationalism in Germany. Under the leadership of a young pastor named C.F.W. Waither, these German immigrants joined together with a number of pastors sent to America by Wilhelm Loehe in Bavaria to form “The German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other States.” The first convention of the new synod was held in Chicago on April 25-May 6, 1847. Twelve pastors, with their congregations, adopted the constitution, and 10 other pastors added their signatures as advisory members, since their congregations had not yet voted to join. Of these 22 pastors, 4 lived in Missouri, 6 in Ohio, 5 in Indiana, 3 in lllinois,2 in Michigan, and 2 in New York. The twelve original congregations, which formed the Missouri Synod, included about 3,000 persons. Dr. Waither was elected to serve as the first president of the new Synod. One hundred years later in 1947 the Synod officially changed its name to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The Synod has 10 colleges, two seminaries, 62 high schools and the nation’s largest Protestant elementary school system with 1,786 elementary schools and preschools. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick currently serves as LCMS president.

Simply stated, The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod believes, teaches and confesses that in Christ alone is there salvation—by grace alone, through faith alone, on the basis of Scripture alone. To share this message with the world is the mission of the church and the reason for its existence.