Indiana District (LCMS)
Encyclopedia
The Indiana District is one of the 35 districts
of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
(LCMS), and encompasses the state of Indiana
as well as most of western Kentucky
; the remainder of Kentucky is divided between the Mid-South District
and the Ohio District
. In addition, eight Indiana congregations are in the non-geographic English District
, and two congregations in Lake County
are in the SELC District
. The Indiana District is home to Concordia Theological Seminary
in Fort Wayne, Indiana
, and includes approximately 236 congregations and missions, subdivided into 24 circuits
, as well as 62 preschools, 53 elementary schools
and 4 high schools. Baptized
membership in district congregations is over 110,000.
The Indiana District was formed in 1963 when the Central District was divided, also creating the Ohio District. District offices are located in Fort Wayne; the Rev. Daniel P. May has been the district president since 2003, and was reelected to a third term in 2009. 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 in 2000, and the next convention will be held June 28-29, 2012 in Fort Wayne, IN.
Oldest in Kentucky: Concordia Lutheran Church, Louisville, Kentucky
, 1878
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 encompasses the state of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
as well as most of western Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
; the remainder of Kentucky is divided between the Mid-South District
Mid-South District (LCMS)
The Mid-South District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and encompasses the states of Arkansas and Tennessee, as well as the southwestern edge of Kentucky; the rest of Kentucky is divided between the Indiana District and the Ohio District...
and the Ohio District
Ohio District (LCMS)
The Ohio District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers the states of Ohio and West Virginia, as well as eastern Kentucky . In addition, fifteen Ohio congregations are in the non-geographic English District, and eleven are in the SELC District...
. In addition, eight Indiana congregations 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 two congregations in Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...
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 Indiana District is home to Concordia Theological Seminary
Concordia Theological Seminary
The Concordia Theological Seminary is an institution of theological higher education of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod , located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, dedicated primarily to the preparation of pastors for the congregations and missions of the LCMS...
in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
, and includes approximately 236 congregations and missions, subdivided into 24 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 62 preschools, 53 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...
and 4 high schools. 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 district congregations is over 110,000.
The Indiana District was formed in 1963 when the Central District was divided, also creating the Ohio District. District offices are located in Fort Wayne; the Rev. Daniel P. May has been the district president since 2003, and was reelected to a third term in 2009. 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 in 2000, and the next convention will be held June 28-29, 2012 in Fort Wayne, IN.
Presidents
- Rev. Edgar C. Rakow, 1963–70
- Rev. Elwood H. Zimmermann, 1970–88
- Rev. Reuben Garber, 1988-91
- Rev. Timothy E. Sims, 1991-2003
- Rev. Daniel P. May, 2003-present
Oldest congregations
- 1837 - Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Downtown Fort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
- 1838 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Seymour, IndianaSeymour, IndianaSeymour was the site of the World's First Train Robbery, committed by the local Reno Gang, on October 6, 1866 just east of town. The gang was put into prison for the robbery, and later hanged at Hangman's Crossing outside of town....
- 1838 - Zion-Friedheim Lutheran Church, Decatur, IndianaDecatur, IndianaDecatur is a city in Root and Washington townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States. The city, which serves as the county seat of Adams County, takes its name after the prominent war hero Stephen Decatur, Jr., one of the captains of the original 6 frigates of the US navy...
- 1840 - Saint John's Lutheran Church, Columbus, IndianaColumbus, IndianaColumbus is a city in and the county seat of Bartholomew County, Indiana, United States. The population was 44,061 at the 2010 census, and the current mayor is Fred Armstrong. Located approximately 40 miles south of Indianapolis, on the east fork of the White River, it is the state's 20th largest...
- 1841 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Evansville, IndianaEvansville, IndianaEvansville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Indiana and the largest city in Southern Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 117,429. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for both Southwestern Indiana and the...
- 1842 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Evanston, IndianaEvanston, IndianaEvanston is an unincorporated town in Huff Township, Spencer County, Indiana, USA.The town's population is 715 and its land area is 64.68 km².-Geography:Evanston is located at at an elevation of 413 feet.The nearest city is Tell City, Indiana....
- 1842 - Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Indianapolis, IndianaIndianapolisIndianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
- 1843 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Farmers Retreat, IndianaFarmers Retreat, IndianaFarmers Retreat is an unincorporated town in Caesar Creek Township, Dearborn County, Indiana....
- 1844 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Avilla, IndianaAvilla, IndianaAvilla is a town in Allen Township, Noble County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,401 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Avilla is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of ....
- 1845 - Emmanuel Lutheran Church - Wayne Trace, Adams Township, IndianaAdams Township, Allen County, IndianaAdams Township is one of twenty townships in Allen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 31,394.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Adams Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Cities, towns, villages:* Fort Wayne * New Haven...
- 1845 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Decatur, IndianaDecatur, IndianaDecatur is a city in Root and Washington townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States. The city, which serves as the county seat of Adams County, takes its name after the prominent war hero Stephen Decatur, Jr., one of the captains of the original 6 frigates of the US navy...
- 1845 - Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Decatur, IndianaDecatur, IndianaDecatur is a city in Root and Washington townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States. The city, which serves as the county seat of Adams County, takes its name after the prominent war hero Stephen Decatur, Jr., one of the captains of the original 6 frigates of the US navy...
- 1846 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Lanesville, IndianaLanesville, IndianaLanesville is a town in Franklin Township, Harrison County, Indiana, United States. The population was 564 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Lanesville is located at . Its elevation is 699 feet above sea level....
- 1846 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Bremen, IndianaBremen, IndianaBremen is a town in German Township, Marshall County, Indiana, United States. The population was 4,588 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Bremen is located at...
- 1846 - Zion Lutheran Church, Corunna, IndianaCorunna, IndianaCorunna is a town in Richland Township, DeKalb County, Indiana, United States. The population was 251 at the 2010 census.-Geography:The Corunna Town Hall is located at 102 N Bridge St.. This Building is also the former home to the Corunna Volunteer Fire Department The Corunna Volunteer Fire...
- 1847 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Columbia City, IndianaColumbia City, IndianaColumbia City is a city in Columbia Township, Whitley County, Indiana, United States. The population was 8,750 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Whitley County.-Geography:Columbia City is located at...
- 1847 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Monroeville, IndianaMonroeville, IndianaMonroeville is a town in Monroe Township, Allen County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,235 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Monroeville is located at ....
- 1847 - Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Mishawaka, IndianaMishawaka, IndianaMishawaka is a city on the St. Joseph River and a Twin city of South Bend in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States. The population was 48,252 as of the 2010 Census...
- 1847 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Darmstadt, IndianaDarmstadt, IndianaDarmstadt is a small, German-heritage town in Scott Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, United States. It also extends slightly into Armstrong, Center and German townships. The population was 1,313 at the 2000 census...
- 1848 - Saint James Lutheran Church, Logansport, IndianaLogansport, IndianaLogansport is a city in and the county seat of Cass County, Indiana, United States. The population was 18,396 at the 2010 census. Logansport is located in northern Indiana, at the junction of the Wabash and Eel rivers, northeast of Lafayette.-History:...
- 1848 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Columbus, IndianaColumbus, IndianaColumbus is a city in and the county seat of Bartholomew County, Indiana, United States. The population was 44,061 at the 2010 census, and the current mayor is Fred Armstrong. Located approximately 40 miles south of Indianapolis, on the east fork of the White River, it is the state's 20th largest...
- 1849 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Decatur, IndianaDecatur, IndianaDecatur is a city in Root and Washington townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States. The city, which serves as the county seat of Adams County, takes its name after the prominent war hero Stephen Decatur, Jr., one of the captains of the original 6 frigates of the US navy...
- 1849 - Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Huntington, IndianaHuntington, IndianaHuntington, known as the "Lime City", is a small city in and the county seat of Huntington County, Indiana, United States. It is in Huntington Township and Union Township...
Oldest in Kentucky: Concordia Lutheran Church, Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
, 1878
Largest congregations
- Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.
- 3701- Saint Peter's Lutheran Church, Columbus, IndianaColumbus, IndianaColumbus is a city in and the county seat of Bartholomew County, Indiana, United States. The population was 44,061 at the 2010 census, and the current mayor is Fred Armstrong. Located approximately 40 miles south of Indianapolis, on the east fork of the White River, it is the state's 20th largest...
- 3506- Immanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour, IndianaSeymour, IndianaSeymour was the site of the World's First Train Robbery, committed by the local Reno Gang, on October 6, 1866 just east of town. The gang was put into prison for the robbery, and later hanged at Hangman's Crossing outside of town....
- 3072- Saint James Lutheran Church, Lafayette, IndianaLafayette, IndianaLafayette is a city in and the county seat of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States, northwest of Indianapolis. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 67,140. West Lafayette, on the other side of the Wabash River, is home to Purdue University, which has a large impact on...
- 2761- Carmel Lutheran Church, Carmel, IndianaCarmel, IndianaCarmel is a city in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States located immediately north of Indianapolis, Indiana. The population was 79,191 at the 2010 census, and is one of the most affluent communities in the Midwest....
- 2661- Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
- 2586- Immanuel Lutheran ChurchImmanuel Lutheran Church (Valparaiso, Indiana)Congregation founded in 1862 by 45 German families. The church was erected in 1891 by Henry Lemster and his son Charles. A fire gutted the building in 1975. Marks can still be seen on the altar and pews. Immanuel Lutheran Church congregation moved to a new site on Glendale Blvd. The building...
, Valparaiso, IndianaValparaiso, IndianaValparaiso is a city in and the county seat of Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County.-History:... - 2394- Concordia Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
- 2190- Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Munster, IndianaMunster, IndianaMunster is a town located in North Township, Lake County, in Northwest Indiana in the United States. This bedroom community lies in the Chicago metropolitan area, approximately southeast of the Chicago Loop, and shares municipal boundaries with Hammond to the north, Highland to the east, Dyer and...
- 2016- Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Maplewood Park, Fort Wayne, Indiana
- 1915- Emmanuel Lutheran Church, West Central Fort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
- 1817- Saint John Lutheran Church, Indianapolis, IndianaIndianapolis, IndianaIndianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
- 1580- Saint John Lutheran Church, Kendallville, IndianaKendallville, IndianaKendallville is a city in Wayne Township, Noble County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,862 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Kendallville is located at ....
- 1535- Emanuel Lutheran Church, New Haven, IndianaNew Haven, Indiana-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 12,406 people, 4,900 households, and 3,415 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,522.0 people per square mile . There were 5,141 housing units at an average density of 630.7 per square mile...
- 1459- Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Downtown Fort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne, IndianaFort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
- 1342- Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Geist, Indianapolis, IndianaGeist, IndianapolisGeist is an area in northeastern Indianapolis, Indiana and southeastern Hamilton County. It is named for Geist Reservoir.-Annexation:...
- 3701- Saint Peter's Lutheran Church, Columbus, Indiana
- Largest in Kentucky - Our Savior Lutheran Church, Louisville, KentuckyLouisville, KentuckyLouisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
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