Lutherans in Michigan

125th Anniversary Commemorative History Booklet

1830s - 1840s

During the 1830s and 1840s, German Lutherans settled in large numbers in the Saginaw Valley, Detroit, and Monroe. A prime objective of the missionaries was to work among the American Indian population. As Rev. Gilbert Ott (1955) put it, "their heroic intention was to make Michigan ... Christian."

1833

In 1833, the Basel Mission Institute of Switzerland sent Friedrich Schmid "the pioneer Lutheran minister of Michigan" (Erickson, 1924), as its first missionary to the United States. A newly ordained pastor from Wurttemberg, Germany, Friedrich Schmid arrived in August 1833 and led the first Lutheran service in Michigan inside a Detroit carpenter shop. Schmid is credited with founding some 20 churches in Michigan, including parishes in Monroe, Detroit, Plymouth, Ann Arbor and surrounding areas. Rev. Schmid's last parish was Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor where he served until his death in 1883. He is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Ann Arbor.

1845

In July, three Lutheran missionaries, Reverend Johan J.F. Auchs, Reverend J. Simon Dumser, and Reverend George Sinke arrived in the Saginaw area. They were sent from Ann Arbor by Friedrich Schmid to evangelize the Chippewa Indians. Another Lutheran missionary in the Frankenmuth area was Friedrich August Craemer, a German Pastor who spoke and taught English. With the help of an English speaking interpreter of the Chippewa language. Pastor Craemer visited Chippewa villages to spread God’s message to the natives (Deterding, 1995).

1846

In 1846, Bethany Lutheran Indian Mission was founded near St. Louis, Michigan by Pastor Joseph Clapp.

1847

Michigan and other states form what was to become the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

1854

Congregations from Wisconsin and Michigan formed the new "Northern District" and Rev. Ottomar Fuerbringer served as President until 1873

1855

First convention of the “Northern District” Congregations from Wisconsin and Michigan formed the new “Northern District;” the first convention was held in Wisconsin, but most delegates (13 congregations and 9 pastors) were from Michigan. Teachers from St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth and Trinity in Detroit also attended.

1856

In 1856, the first Lutheran congregation, Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, was established with Rev. Frederick Richmann installed as pastor.

1873

The Evangelical Lutheran Deaf Mute Institute was founded in Detroit by the combined efforts of Rev. J.A. Heugli and Rev. George Spechardt. Their work inspired others to ministry among the Deaf, and today there are 63 Deaf congregations in the US, and a number of Deaf schools throughout the world.

1873

Rev. J. A. Huegli was elected President of the Northern District and served until 1875.

1874

Ontario joined Michigan as the “Northern District,” while Wisconsin became an independent district, taking the Upper Peninsula with it (in 1967, the Eastern half of the UP reunited with Michigan). By 1874, the number of Michigan congregations had grown to over 100 parishes. The reorganized “Northern District” met for the first time in Saginaw in 1875.

1875

Rev. Ottomar Fuerbringer was re-elected President of the Northern District and served until 1882.

1878

Wisconsin and Ontario established separate districts, so for a few years Michigan alone was called, “The Northern District.”

1880

Before 1880, Lutheran Pastors, Bruss and Karrer, traveled north to establish missions in the northwest part of the state.

1881

The Michigan District adopted its new name “without any recorded resolution which we can find” (Otte, 1955).

1882

Rev. Joseph Schmidt was elected President of what was now the Michigan District and served until 1891.

1890

German Americans made up the single largest foreign-born group in Michigan.

1891

Rev. Gustav Spiegel was elected President and served until 1912.

1901

The Church Extension Fund (CEF) was organized for the primary purpose of serving the congregations and entities of the Michigan District. CEF is a resource for the financing of new church buildings, the expansion of existing facilities, the purchase of church sites and other activities related to the Kingdom of God. Through the investments from God’s people, CEF has grown into a Fund which today exceeds $245 million in assets.

1912

Rev. Theodore Engelder was elected President and served until 1914.

1914

Rev. Emanuel Mayer was elected President and served until 1924.

1918

"The First World War was undoubtedly a milestone" in the history of Michigan's German Americans. Loyalist tensions ran high, but many Lutheran pastors encouraged young men to enlist into the U.S. Army. St. Lorenz of Frankenmuth sent 62 men into the service, Trinity in Monroe sent 36, and Immanuel of Bay City sent 46 soldiers (Kilar, 2002). The English language became standard for congregational worship, hymns, district publications, and convention proceedings. Lutheran schools began to teach only in English. Although English became the official language of the district, many churches continued German language services for several decades.

1924

The Michigan Lutheran began publishing with Issue #1 in September. The cover story was “St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Amelith.”

1924

Rev. John Schinnerer was elected President and served until 1942.

1930

Michigan Lutherans celebrated the 400th Anniversary of the Augsburg Confessions with a parade down Woodward Avenue in Detroit, and a worship service at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. The service included a 1,500 voice choir and 4,000 children reciting the Apostles’ Creed.

1942

Rev. Andrew Zeile was elected President and served until 1957.

1946

The Michigan District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League organized and joined the national LWML. An auxiliary organization of the LCMS, Michigan’s league now includes 31 zones in the lower peninsula and part of the upper peninsula of Michigan. There are 345 congregational units and 361 societies with a membership of over 9,000. Its purpose has always included the support of missionary work through the collection of small "mite boxes" filled with spare change. The name refers to the small coins in the lesson of the widow's mite in Mark 12 and Luke 21.

1957

Rev. W. Harry Krieger was elected President and served until 1965.

1959

District congregations participated in the "Preaching-Teaching-Reaching" program, an intensive effort of inspiring and training pastors and lay people to share the Good News with family, friends, and neighbors.

1963

Concordia Lutheran Junior College was dedicated on September 29 in Ann Arbor with a crowd of 15,000 attending, and a choir of 2,000 voices praising God in song. Since its beginning, Concordia has educated young men and women “for lives of service in the church and in the world.” Thousands of graduates have entered the preaching and teaching ministries in Michigan and throughout Synod.

1963

The Michigan District established “Michigan Lutheran College,” a vocational school located on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. The college continued to educate students until 1970.

1964

The Michigan District Convention, for the first time, began its current tradition of meeting on the campus of Concordia University.

1965

Rev. Edwin Weber was elected President and served until 1969.

1966

In June, the new District Headquarters building, located on Geddes Road in Ann Arbor, was completed. President Harry Krieger assumed a full-time presidency to manage the inclusion of several divisions of the District into one building. Before 1966, all presidents served “part-time” while also serving a parish.

1969

Rev. Richard L. Schlecht was elected President and served until 1985.

1974

A doctrinal controversy regarding the “Nature and Function of the Holy Scriptures” erupted in St. Louis, and Michigan felt repercussions when several congregations withdrew to join the new “Seminex.” Members of those congregations who supported Synod joined to form a new parish, Christ Our Savior, Livonia. Today, it stands as one of the largest parishes in the district. “This controversy, in the end, strengthened Synod’s position on the Holy Scriptures,” commented Rev. Richard Schlecht.

1980

Michigan District celebrated 100 Years! Rev. Richard Schlecht, president at the time, remembers, “a great service was held at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor . . . Dr. Weber . . . preached a powerful and pastoral sermon. The combined choirs of Trinity, Jackson and St. John, Rochester offered the great music of the church.”

1981

LCMS adopted a three-year convention cycle for Synod and Districts. Prior to that, in the 19th and early 20th century, the District held a convention every year - then every other year.

1984

The District established the Ministerial Health Commission, now known as the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support.

1985

“His Love-Our Response” campaign began with training at the District Offices. District President Richard Schlecht challenged the campaign coordinators to see 1985 as a “God-given time for renewal and mission.”

1985

Rev. John L. Heins was elected President and served until 1997.

1988

1988 was declared the “Year of Families.” The District Convention and The Michigan Lutheran emphasized Family Life.

1993

"In Touch" was the district theme in a successful campaign encouraging congregations to develop creative outreach projects in their communities - 55% of Michigan churches participated! Concordia College celebrated its 30th anniversary of preparing men and women for “life of service in the church and in the world.” The college has, throughout its history, prepared more men and women for the parish and teaching ministries than any other LCMS college across the nation.

1995

In September, additions and renovations to the district offices were dedicated as “The Michigan District Congregation Resource and Information Center.” President John Heins delivered a message that concluded with “God bless this day … may He bless this building and all that transpires in it to the glory of God. Amen.”

1997

Rev. C. William Hoesman was elected President and continues to serve.

2002

Michigan In Touch began publication in January 2002, replacing The Michigan Lutheran. The new magazine featured district-wide news with color photographs printed on glossy pages. In issue #3, District President, Rev. Dr. C. William Hoesman wrote, “Our greatest joy in District ministry is to see fulfillment in the hearts and lives of congregations, professional church workers, and congregational leaders.” In the same year, the District established weekly “E-bulletins” and developed a District website to enhance communications.

2003

The Michigan District Convention took the theme “Celebrating Christ’s Mission: Near ... Far ... Forever ... ”

2004

In 2004 alone, 14 new mission sites or congregations were dedicated to spreading His Word and serving His Kingdom.

2006

Rev. C. William Hoesman was elected for a fourth and final term.