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.

Contents

[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

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.

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)

Circuit 2 (Philadelphia)

Circuit 3 (Florida)

Circuit 4 (Georgia)

Circuit 5 (Buffalo)

Circuit 6 (Pittsburgh)

Circuit 7 (Canada, East)

Circuit 8 (Canada, West)

Circuit 9 (Cleveland East - Akron)

Circuit 10 (Cleveland, West)

Circuit 11 (Detroit, South)

Circuit 12 (Detroit, North)

Circuit 13 (Western Michigan)

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)

Circuit 16 (Chicago, Central)

Circuit 17 (Milwaukee, North)

Circuit 18 (Milwaukee, South)

Circuit 19 (St. Louis)

Circuit 20 (Arizona, North)

Circuit 21 (Arizona, South)

Circuit 22 (San Diego)

Circuit 23 (Los Angeles)

Circuit 24 (San Francisco)

Circuit 26 (Chicago, South)

[edit] External links


Districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
Atlantic • California-Nevada-Hawaii • Central Illinois • Eastern • English • Florida-Georgia • Indiana • Iowa East • Iowa West • Kansas • Michigan • Mid-South • Minnesota North • Minnesota South • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • New England • New Jersey • North Dakota • North Wisconsin • Northern Illinois • Northwest • Ohio • Oklahoma • Pacific Southwest • Rocky Mountain • SELC • South Dakota • South Wisconsin • Southeastern • Southern • Southern Illinois • Texas • Wyoming
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