Eastern District (LCMS)
Encyclopedia
The Eastern District is one of the 35 districts
of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
(LCMS), and covers: most of upstate
New York
; Pennsylvania
, with the exception of York
and Lancaster Counties
; and Garrett County
at the western corner of the Maryland
panhandle
. The rest of New York, including New York City
, is in the Atlantic District
; York and Lancaster Counties in Pennsylvania and the remainder of Maryland are in the Southeastern District
. In addition, sixteen congregations in the Eastern District's area are in the non-geographic English District
, and eleven Pennsylvania congregations are in the SELC District
. The Eastern District includes approximately 138 congregations and missions, subdivided into 17 circuits
, as well as 61 preschools and 16 elementary schools
. Baptized
membership in Eastern District congregations is over 50,000.
The Eastern District is one of the Synod's four original districts formed in 1854; much of its territory was separated into the Atlantic District in 1906. District offices are located in Williamsville, New York
; Dr. Chris C. Wicher became the district president in 2009 http://classic.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=15312. 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 June 12-13, 2009, and the next will be held June 15-16, 2012 in Amherst, NY.
Frincke 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
http://chi.lcms.org/history/tih0402.htm.
Largest in Maryland: Zion Lutheran Church, Accident, Maryland
, 393
Districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is organized into 35 districts, 33 of which are defined along geographic lines. Each district has a president who oversees the congregations in his district, which are further subdivided into local circuits...
of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is a traditional, confessional Lutheran denomination in the United States. With 2.3 million members, it is both the eighth largest Protestant denomination and the second-largest Lutheran body in the U.S. after the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Synod...
(LCMS), and covers: most of upstate
Upstate New York
Upstate New York is the region of the U.S. state of New York that is located north of the core of the New York metropolitan area.-Definition:There is no clear or official boundary between Upstate New York and Downstate New York...
New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
; Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, with the exception of York
York County, Pennsylvania
York County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 434,972. It is in the Susquehanna Valley, a large fertile agricultural region in South Central Pennsylvania....
and Lancaster Counties
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010 the population was 519,445. Lancaster County forms the Lancaster Metropolitan Statistical Area, the...
; and Garrett County
Garrett County, Maryland
Garrett County is the westernmost county of the U.S. state of Maryland. Created from Allegany County, Maryland in 1872 it was the last Maryland county to be formed. It was named for John Work Garrett , railroad executive, industrialist, and financier. Garrett served as president of the Baltimore...
at the western corner of the Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
panhandle
Western Maryland
Western Maryland is the portion of the U.S. state of Maryland that consists of Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties. The region is bounded by the Mason-Dixon line to the north, Preston County, West Virginia to the west, and the Potomac River to the south. There is dispute over the...
. The rest of New York, including New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, is in the Atlantic District
Atlantic District (LCMS)
The Atlantic District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers eastern New York state: New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and the Capital District...
; York and Lancaster Counties in Pennsylvania and the remainder of Maryland are in the Southeastern District
Southeastern District (LCMS)
The Southeastern District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod . It encompasses Washington, D.C. and the states of Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, as well as York and Lancaster Counties in Pennsylvania, and Maryland with the exception of Garrett...
. In addition, sixteen congregations in the Eastern District's area are in the non-geographic English District
English District (LCMS)
The English District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod . 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...
, and eleven Pennsylvania congregations are in the SELC District
SELC District (LCMS)
The SELC District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod . It is one of the Synod's two non-geographical districts, along with the English District, and has its origins in the congregations of the former Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church, which merged with the LCMS in...
. The Eastern District includes approximately 138 congregations and missions, subdivided into 17 circuits
Circuit (LCMS)
A circuit, in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , is a local grouping of congregations within one of the Synod's 35 districts. Circuits typically include 8 to 12 congregations...
, as well as 61 preschools and 16 elementary schools
Lutheran school
Lutheran schools and education were a priority for Lutherans who emigrated to the United States and Australia from Germany and Scandinavia. One of the first things they did was to create schools for their children. This strong educational tradition was handed down from Martin Luther himself. The...
. Baptized
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
membership in Eastern District congregations is over 50,000.
The Eastern District is one of the Synod's four original districts formed in 1854; much of its territory was separated into the Atlantic District in 1906. District offices are located in Williamsville, New York
Williamsville, New York
Williamsville is a village in Erie County, New York in the United States. The population was 5,573 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Jonas Williams, an early settler...
; Dr. Chris C. Wicher became the district president in 2009 http://classic.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=15312. 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 June 12-13, 2009, and the next will be held June 15-16, 2012 in Amherst, NY.
Presidents
- Rev. Ernst G. W. KeylErnst G. W. KeylErnst Gerhard Wilhelm Keyl was a German-born Lutheran clergyman who worked in the United States...
, 1854-69 - Rev. P. Carl Gross, 1869-75
- Rev. J. P. Beyer, 1875-88
- Rev. Peter Brand, 1888-99
- Rev. Herman H. Walker, 1899-1915
- Rev. Franz (Francis) C. Verwiebe, 1915-21
- Rev. William Broeker, 1921-28
- Rev. J. K. E. Horst, 1928-31
- Rev. Franz (Francis) C. Verwiebe, 1931-38
- Rev. Oscar A. Sauer, 1938-39
- Rev. Paul Fretthold, 1939-45
- Rev. Charles A. Behnke, 1945-55
- Rev. Eric C. Malte, 1955-58
- Rev. Gustav M. Karkau, 1958-66
- Rev. Herman R. Frincke, 1966-76
- Rev. Arnold Kromphardt, 1978-91
- Rev. Dr. David Belasic, 1991-2000
- Rev. Dr. John G. Brunner, 2000-2009
- Rev. Dr. Chris C. Wicher, 2009- present
Frincke was one of four district presidents who were removed from office by Synod President J. A. O. Preus
J. A. O. Preus II
Jacob Aall Ottesen Preus II was a Lutheran pastor, professor, author, and church president. He served as the president of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod from 1969-1981. He was a major figure in the Seminex affair which resulted in a schism in the Missouri Synod.Preus attended Luther Seminary...
on April 2, 1976 for non-compliance with synodical directives on the ordination and placement of improperly endorsed ministerial candidates from Seminex
Seminex
Seminex is the widely used abbreviation for Concordia Seminary in Exile . An institution for the training of Lutheran ministers, Seminex existed from 1974 to 1987. It was formed after a walk-out by dissident faculty and students of Concordia Seminary in St...
http://chi.lcms.org/history/tih0402.htm.
Oldest congregations
- 1833 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Silver Creek, New YorkSilver Creek, New York- Demographics :At the 2010 census there were 2,656 people, 1,048 households and 718 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,213.3 people per square mile . There were 1,174 housing units, with an average density of 978.3 per square mile...
- 1835 - Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Cabot, Pennsylvania
- 1837 - First Trinity Lutheran Church, Shadyside, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaShadyside (Pittsburgh)Shadyside is a neighborhood in the East End of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It has zip codes of both 15232 and 15206, and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 8...
- 1839 - First Trinity Lutheran Church, Tonawanda, New YorkTonawanda (town), New YorkTonawanda is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a population of 78,155. The town is at the north border of the county and is the northern suburb of Buffalo...
- 1843 - Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, Bergholtz, New York
- 1847 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Pittston, PennsylvaniaPittston, PennsylvaniaPittston is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States, between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. It gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as an active anthracite coal mining city, drawing a large portion of its labor force from European immigrants. The population was...
- 1849 - Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, New Sewickley Township, PennsylvaniaNew Sewickley Township, PennsylvaniaNew Sewickley Township is a township in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 7,076 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 32.7 square miles , all of it land.-History:New Sewickley Township is a part...
- 1849 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Eden, New YorkEden, New YorkEden is a town located south of Buffalo, in Erie County, New York, USA. The population was 8,076 at the 2000 census. The basis for choosing the town's name is unknown....
- 1849 - Trinity Lutheran Church, West Seneca, New YorkWest Seneca, New YorkWest Seneca is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 44,711 at the 2010 census. West Seneca is a centrally-located interior town of the county, and a suburb of Buffalo...
- 1853 - Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Punxsutawney, PennsylvaniaPunxsutawney, PennsylvaniaPunxsutawney is a borough in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, United States, northeast of Pittsburgh. In 1907, Punxsutawney and Claysville boroughs were consolidated and incorporated as Greater Punxsutawney. A high-grade soft coal was mined in the surrounding region...
- 1853 - Saint John Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, New YorkNorth Tonawanda, New YorkNorth Tonawanda is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 31,568 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after Tonawanda Creek, its south border...
- 1854 - Saint Martin's Lutheran Church, Boston, New YorkBoston, New YorkBoston is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 7,897 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Boston, Massachusetts....
- 1854 - Zion Lutheran Church, Accident, MarylandAccident, MarylandAccident is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 353 at the 2000 census. The town is home to Northern Garrett High School...
- 1855 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Olean, New YorkOlean, New YorkOlean is a city in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. Olean is the largest city in Cattaraugus County, and serves as the financial, business, transportation and entertainment center of the county. It is one of the principal cities of the Southern Tier region of New York.The city is...
- 1856 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Allegany, New YorkAllegany (town), New YorkAllegany is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 8,230 at the 2000 census.The Town of Allegany is on the south border of the county, west of the City of Olean. There is a village called Allegany inside this town....
- 1857 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Lockport, New YorkLockport (city), New YorkLockport is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 21,165 at the 2010 census. The name is derived from a set of Erie canal locks within the city. Lockport is the county seat of Niagara County and is surrounded by the town of Lockport...
- 1859 - Saint Michael Lutheran Church, Wolcottsville, New YorkWolcottsville, New YorkWolcottsville, New York is an unincorporated hamlet in the town of Royalton in Niagara County, New York, USA.- Geography :Wolcottsville is located on the western side of the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area. Its main street is Wolcottsville Road. Note that Wolcottsburg is a different hamlet...
- 1859 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Wellsville, New YorkWellsville (town), New YorkWellsville is a town in rural Allegany County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a population of 7,678.Wellsville town is centrally located in the south half of the county, eight miles north of the Pennsylvania border. Wellsville is also the name of village within this town...
- 1860 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Accident, MarylandAccident, MarylandAccident is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 353 at the 2000 census. The town is home to Northern Garrett High School...
- 1860 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Cohocton, New YorkCohocton (town), New YorkCohocton is a town in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 2,626 at the 2000 census. The name might be the native term for "log in the water."The town contains a village, also called Cohocton and is in the northwest part of the county....
- 1861 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, New YorkNorth Tonawanda, New YorkNorth Tonawanda is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 31,568 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after Tonawanda Creek, its south border...
Largest congregations
- Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.
- 2698 - Hope Lutheran Church, Rochester, New YorkRochester, New YorkRochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
- 1525 - Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Cabot, Pennsylvania
- 1292 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, New YorkNorth Tonawanda, New YorkNorth Tonawanda is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 31,568 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after Tonawanda Creek, its south border...
- 1081 - Faith Lutheran Church, Penfield, New YorkPenfield, New YorkPenfield is a town in Monroe County, New York, United States. The population was 36,242 at the 2010 census.The town was incorporated in 1810 by the proprietor, Daniel Penfield, who purchased the town lands in 1795 and moved to the area in 1809. Penfield is a suburb of Rochester, New York...
- 1023- Saint John's Lutheran Church, Orchard Park, New YorkOrchard Park (town), New YorkOrchard Park is a town in Erie County, New York, a suburb southeast of Buffalo, New York. According to the 2010 census, the population is 29,054. This represents an increase of 5.13% from the 2000 census figure. The town contains a village also named Orchard Park. Orchard Park is one of the...
- 997 - Saint Mark Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, New YorkNorth Tonawanda, New YorkNorth Tonawanda is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 31,568 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after Tonawanda Creek, its south border...
- 945 - Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, New YorkNorth Tonawanda, New YorkNorth Tonawanda is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 31,568 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after Tonawanda Creek, its south border...
- 886 - First Trinity Lutheran Church, Tonawanda, New YorkTonawanda (town), New YorkTonawanda is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a population of 78,155. The town is at the north border of the county and is the northern suburb of Buffalo...
- 878 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Hamlin, New YorkHamlin, New YorkHamlin is a town in Monroe County, New York, United States. The population was 9,045 at the 2010 census.The Town of Hamlin is in the northwest part of the county and is the second largest town in area in the county.- History :...
- 862- Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Cheektowaga, New YorkCheektowaga (town), New YorkCheektowaga is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 94,019. The name comes from the Iroquoian word Ji-ik-do-wa-gah, meaning the place of the crab apple tree...
- 830 - Trinity Lutheran Church, West Seneca, New YorkWest Seneca, New YorkWest Seneca is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 44,711 at the 2010 census. West Seneca is a centrally-located interior town of the county, and a suburb of Buffalo...
- 761 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Eden, New YorkEden, New YorkEden is a town located south of Buffalo, in Erie County, New York, USA. The population was 8,076 at the 2000 census. The basis for choosing the town's name is unknown....
- 755 - Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, Bergholtz, New York
- 731 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Farmington, New YorkFarmington, New YorkFarmington is a town located in the northern part of Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 10,585 at the 2000 census. Farmington is about twenty-five miles southeast of Rochester, New York...
- 694 - Faith Lutheran Church, Easton, PennsylvaniaEaston, PennsylvaniaEaston is a city in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 26,800 as of the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Northampton County....
- 2698 - Hope Lutheran Church, Rochester, New York
Largest in Maryland: Zion Lutheran Church, Accident, Maryland
Accident, Maryland
Accident is a town in Garrett County, Maryland, United States. The population was 353 at the 2000 census. The town is home to Northern Garrett High School...
, 393