English District (LCMS)

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The English District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS). It is one of the Synod's two non-geographical districts, along with the SELC District, and has its origins in the congregations of the former English Evangelical Lutheran Synod, which merged with the LCMS in 1911. The English Synod had been formed in 1888 as the General English (Evangelical) Lutheran Conference of Missouri and Other States; it had its roots in an 1872 conference which was advised by then LCMS president C. F. W. Walther. The conference applied for admission to the LCMS as a district in 1887, but was advised to instead form a separate synod at that time [1]. It was named the English Synod due to its churches using that language in their services; at that time, the congregations of the LCMS were still using the German language. The English Synod ultimately joined the LCMS in 1911 because of a shared doctrinal stance, but wanting to maintain its identity, it was accepted as a non-geographical district. Despite the transition of the LCMS to English, the English District has continued as a separate district.

The district now includes approximately 156 congregations and missions in 17 U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario, subdivided into 25 circuits, as well as 42 preschools, 16 elementary schools and 1 high school. Baptized membership in district congregations is approximately 60,000.

English District offices are located in Farmington, Michigan; the Rev. David Stechholz became the district president in September 2006 [2]. Delegates from each congregation meet in convention every three years to elect the district president, vice presidents, circuit counselors, a board of directors, and other officers; the last convention was held on June 22-24, 2006, and the next will be held in 2009.

The district publishes its newsletter, English Channels, 10 times a year.

1 Presidents
2 Oldest congregations
3 Largest congregations
4 Congregations and missions
5 External links

[edit] Presidents

Rev. Henry Philip Eckhardt, 1911–12
Rev. M. S. Sommer, 1912–15
Rev. John Adam Detzer, 1915–18
Rev. O. C. Kreinheder, 1918–27
Rev. Guido R. Schuessler, 1927–36
Rev. Paul Lindemann, 1936–38
Rev. M. F. Walker, 1938–45
Rev. Herman William Bartels, 1945–51
Rev. Hugo G. Kleiner, 1951–63
Rev. Bertwin L. Frey, 1963–70
Rev. John H. Baumgaertner, 1970–74
Rev. Harold L. Hecht, 1974-76
Rev. George W. Bornemann, 1976-84
Rev. Donald F. Jung, 1984-86
Rev. Roger D. Pittelko, 1986-97
Rev. David H. Ritt, 1997-2006
Rev. David P. Stechholz, 2006-present

Hecht was one of four district presidents who were removed from office by Synod President J. A. O. Preus on April 2, 1976 for non-compliance with synodical directives on the ordination and placement of improperly endorsed ministerial candidates from Seminex [3].

[edit] Oldest congregations

1848 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Springfield, Pennsylvania
1853 - Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
1860 - Saint John's Lutheran Church, Hannibal, Missouri
1862 - Grace Lutheran Church, Mitchell, Ontario
1881 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Erie, Pennsylvania
1882 - Zion Lutheran Church, Detroit, Michigan
1891 - Calvary Lutheran Church, Amherst, New York
1891 - Christ English Lutheran Church, Austin, Chicago, Illinois
1891 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Pembroke, Ontario
1892 - Redeemer Lutheran Church, Oakdale, Fort Wayne, Indiana
1894 - Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1897 - Redeemer Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, New York
1899 - Calvary Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
1900 - Redeemer Lutheran Church, Oakmont, Pennsylvania
1904 - Concordia Lutheran Church, Akron, Ohio
1904 - Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Lititz, Pennsylvania
1905 - Bethany Lutheran Church, Edgewater, Chicago, Illinois
1907 - Grace Lutheran Church, Elyria, Ohio
1908 - Layton Park Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1909 - Saint John's Lutheran Church, Bloorcourt Village, Toronto, Ontario
1911 - Faith Lutheran Church, Auburn Gresham, Chicago, Illinois

Only congregation in Nebraska: Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1917
Oldest in New Jersey: Grace Lutheran Church, Palisades Park, New Jersey, 1919
Oldest in California: Highland Park Lutheran Church, Highland Park, Los Angeles, California, 1922
Oldest in Arizona: Faith Lutheran Church, Tucson, Arizona, 1949
Oldest in Georgia: Ascension Lutheran Church, Atlanta, Georgia, 1955
Oldest in Minnesota: Messiah Lutheran Church, Forest Lake, Minnesota, 1972
Oldest in Florida: Faith Lutheran Church, Naples, Florida, 1985
Only congregation in Utah: Our Savior Lutheran Church, Saint George, Utah, 1994
Only congregation in Virginia: Faith Lutheran Church, Chesapeake, Virginia, 1995

[edit] Largest congregations

Membership totals are c. 2006.

7358 - Hales Corners Lutheran Church, Hales Corners, Wisconsin
2304 - Christ Lutheran Church, Phoenix, Arizona
1502 - Grace Lutheran Church, Redford Township, Michigan
1424 - Saint Michael Lutheran Church, Westmoor, Fort Wayne, Indiana
1420 - Our Savior Lutheran Church, Hartland, Michigan
1289 - Ascension Lutheran Church, Tucson, Arizona
1258 - Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church, St. Louis County, Missouri
1120 - Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church, Saint Peters, Missouri
1111 - Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
1044 - Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska
939 - Ascension Lutheran Church, North Olmsted, Ohio
905 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Pembroke, Ontario
845 - West Portal Lutheran Church, West Portal, San Francisco, California
839 - Trinity Lutheran Church, New Lenox, Illinois

Largest in Florida: Faith Lutheran Church, Naples, Florida, 696
Largest in Georgia: Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, Alpharetta, Georgia, 518
Largest in New Jersey: Martin Luther Chapel Lutheran Church, Pennsauken, New Jersey, 466
Largest in New York: Redeemer Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, New York, 235
Largest in Minnesota: Hope Lutheran Church, Hastings, Minnesota, 107
Only congregation in Utah: Our Savior Lutheran Church, Saint George, Utah, 42
Only congregation in Virginia: Faith Lutheran Church, Chesapeake, Virginia, 34

[edit] Congregations and missions

Congregations established prior to 1930, or having 600 or more members, are noted (membership figures are c. 2006); in the absence of one or both of these within a circuit, the oldest and/or largest congregation is noted.

Circuit 1 (New York)

Bethany Lutheran Church, Ewing, New Jersey
Grace Lutheran Church, Palisades Park, New Jersey - est. 1919
Hope Lutheran Church, Palisades Park, New Jersey
Immanuel Korean Lutheran Church, Flushing, Queens, New York
Martin Luther Chapel Lutheran Church, Pennsauken, New Jersey - 466 members
Messiah Lutheran Church, Princeton, New Jersey
Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Valley Stream, New York
Redeemer Lutheran Church, St. Albans, Queens, New York - est. 1926
Trinity Lutheran Church, Scarsdale, New York - est. 1924

Circuit 2 (Philadelphia)

Calvary Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania - est. 1899
Faith Lutheran Church, Chesapeake, Virginia - est. 1995; 34 members
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Grace Lutheran Church, Warminster, Pennsylvania
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Lititz, Pennsylvania - est. 1904; 442 members
Saint John Lutheran Church, Springfield, Pennsylvania - est. 1848
Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Oxford Circle, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Circuit 3 (Florida)

Celebration Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, Florida
Faith Lutheran Church, Naples, Florida - est. 1985; 696 members
Shepherd of the Coast Lutheran Church, Palm Coast, Florida
Trinity Lutheran Church, Ocala, Florida

Circuit 4 (Georgia)

Ascension Lutheran Church, Atlanta, Georgia - est. 1955
Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, Alpharetta, Georgia - 518 members
Loving Shepherd Lutheran Church, Hiram, Georgia

Circuit 5 (Buffalo)

Calvary Lutheran Church, Amherst, New York - est. 1891
Nazareth Lutheran Church, Buffalo, New York - est. 1914
Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Kenmore, New York - est. 1922
Redeemer Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, New York - est. 1897; 235 members (largest in New York)
Trinity Lutheran Church, Erie, Pennsylvania - est. 1881; 242 members

Circuit 6 (Pittsburgh)

All Saints Lutheran Church, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Faith Lutheran Church, Butler, Pennsylvania
Hope Lutheran Church, Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Oakmont, Pennsylvania - est. 1900; 400 members

Circuit 7 (Canada, East)

Christ Lutheran Church, Aurora, Ontario
St. John Lutheran Church, Golden Lake, Ontario
Saint John Lutheran Church, Pembroke, Ontario - est. 1891; 905 members
Saint John's Lutheran Church, Bloorcourt Village, Toronto, Ontario - est. 1909
Saint Luke Lutheran Church, North York, Ontario
Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Mississauga, Ontario
Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, Woburn, Toronto, Ontario

Circuit 8 (Canada, West)

Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Windsor, Ontario - 733 members
Grace Lutheran Church, Mitchell, Ontario - est. 1862
Hope Lutheran Church, Kitchener, Ontario
Peace Lutheran Church, Windsor, Ontario
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Sarnia, Ontario - est. 1929; 733 members

Circuit 9 (Cleveland East - Akron)

Concordia Lutheran Church, Akron, Ohio - est. 1904
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Northfield, Ohio
Fairlawn Lutheran Church, Akron, Ohio - 720 members
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Akron, Ohio
Grace Lutheran Church, Akron, Ohio - est. 1921
Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Cleveland Heights, Ohio - est. 1915

Circuit 10 (Cleveland, West)

Ascension Lutheran Church, North Olmsted, Ohio - 939 members
Grace Lutheran Church, Elyria, Ohio - est. 1907
Grace Lutheran Church, Oberlin, Ohio
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Kamms Corners, Cleveland, Ohio - 610 members
Iglesia Cristiana Hispana Lutheran Church, Ohio City, Cleveland, Ohio
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Medina Township, Ohio - 735 members

Circuit 11 (Detroit, South)

Angelica Lutheran Church, Allen Park, Michigan
Christ the King Lutheran Church, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan - 699 members
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Toledo, Ohio
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Toledo, Ohio
King of Glory Lutheran Church, Sylvania, Ohio
Risen Christ Lutheran Church, Plymouth, Michigan
Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, St. Clair Shores, Michigan - est. 1926
Zion Lutheran Church, Detroit, Michigan - est. 1882

Circuit 12 (Detroit, North)

Ascension of Christ Lutheran Church, Beverly Hills, Michigan
Epic Lutheran Church, Rochester Hills, Michigan
Grace Lutheran Church, Redford Township, Michigan - est. 1941; 1502 members
Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church, Sandusky, Michigan
Shepherd King Lutheran Church, West Bloomfield, Michigan

Circuit 13 (Western Michigan)

Christ Lutheran Church, Lansing, Michigan
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Dorr, Michigan
Grace Lutheran Church, Wyoming, Michigan
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Lakeview, Michigan
Hope Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan - est. 1914
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Howell, Michigan
Martin Luther Lutheran Chapel, East Lansing, Michigan
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Hartland, Michigan - 1420 members

Circuit 14 (Indiana)

Bethany Lutheran Church, Indian Village, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Crown of Life Lutheran Church, Elkhart, Indiana
Peace Lutheran Church, Fremont, Indiana
Praise Lutheran Church, Woodmont, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Hudson, Indiana
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Oakdale, Fort Wayne, Indiana - est. 1892
Saint Michael Lutheran Church, Westmoor, Fort Wayne, Indiana - 1424 members
Trinity Lutheran Church, LaPorte, Indiana - est. 1925

Circuit 15 (Chicago, North)

Bethany Lutheran Church, Edgewater, Chicago, Illinois - est. 1905
Bethesda Lutheran Church, West Ridge, Chicago, Illinois - est. 1920
Faith Lutheran Church, Arlington Heights, Illinois - 628 members
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Elk Grove Village, Illinois - 693 members
Jefferson Park Lutheran Church, Jefferson Park, Chicago, Illinois - est. 1924
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Norwood Park, Chicago, Illinois - est. 1921
Uptown Lutheran Church, Uptown, Chicago, Illinois

Circuit 16 (Chicago, Central)

Christ English Lutheran Church, Austin, Chicago, Illinois - est. 1891
Concordia Lutheran Church, Berwyn, Illinois - est. 1923
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, West Lawn, Chicago, Illinois - est. 1928
Grace English Lutheran Church, Belmont Cragin, Chicago, Illinois - est. 1920
Messiah Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, Illinois
Redeemer Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, Illinois - est. 1928
Trinity Lutheran Church, Villa Park, Illinois - est. 1913; 664 members

Circuit 17 (Milwaukee, North)

Faith Lutheran Church, Watertown, Wisconsin
Greenfield Park Lutheran Church, West Allis, Wisconsin
Hope Lutheran Church, Hastings, Minnesota - 107 members (largest in Minnesota)
Messiah Lutheran Church, Forest Lake, Minnesota - est. 1972 (oldest in Minnesota)
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Sheboygan, Wisconsin - est. 1853; 1111 members
Sherman Park Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - est. 1923

Circuit 18 (Milwaukee, South)

Christ Lutheran Church, Lake Mills, Wisconsin
Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - est. 1894
Hales Corners Lutheran Church, Hales Corners, Wisconsin - est. 1928; 7358 members
Layton Park Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - est. 1908
Peace Lutheran Church, New Berlin, Wisconsin - 782 members
Peace Lutheran Church, Racine, Wisconsin
Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Janesville, Wisconsin