Michigan District (Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod)

Michigan District of the LCMS
Location
Country United States
Territory Michigan excluding the western half of the Upper Peninsula
Headquarters Ann Arbor, Michigan
Statistics
Congregations 380
Schools
  • 76 preschool
  • 83 elementary
  • 7 secondary
Members 212,000
Information
Denomination Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
Established 1854 (as the Northern District)
Current leadership
President Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier
Website
www.michigandistrict.org
Saint Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth, Michigan; the largest congregation in the Michigan District

The Michigan District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), and comprises the U.S. state of Michigan with the exception of the western half of the Upper Peninsula, which is in the North Wisconsin District. In addition, nineteen Michigan congregations are in the non-geographic English District. The Michigan District includes approximately 380 congregations and missions, subdivided into 44 circuits, as well as 76 preschools, 83 elementary schools and 7 high schools.[1] Baptized membership in district congregations is approximately 212,000. It is by far the largest of the Synod's districts, exceeding the size of the next largest district by over 83,000 members (Northern Illinois District)[2] and by 20 congregations (Texas District).[3]

The Michigan District is the renamed remnant of what was originally called the Northern District, one of the Synod's four original districts formed in 1854. The Wisconsin and Minnesota portions of the district were separated in 1875, creating the Northwestern District. From 1875 to 1879, Ontario was included in the Northern District, but it was split off to form the Canada District. The Northern District was renamed the Michigan District in 1881. District offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 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 Rev. David P.E. Maier was elected president of the district at the 2009 District Convention, succeeding the Rev. Dr. C. William Hoesman. The 99th Regular Convention was held on June 28 - July 1, 2009 at Concordia University, Ann Arbor with the theme "Celebrate Jesus" (from Phil. 2:9-11).[4] The 100th Regular Convention will be held June 24–27, 2012 at Concordia University, Ann Arbor.

Concordia University, Ann Arbor, part of the LCMS Concordia University System, is located within the district.

Presidents

  • Rev. Ottomar Fuerbringer, 1854–72
  • Rev. J. A. Hügli, 1872–75
  • Rev. Ottomar Fuerbringer, 1875–82
  • Rev. M. J. Schmidt, 1882–91
  • Rev. Gustav Ernst Spiegel, 1891–1912
  • Rev. T. E. W. Engelder, 1912–14
  • Rev. Emanuel August Mayer, 1915–24
  • Rev. John Jacob Frederick Schinnerer, 1924–42
  • Rev. Andrew Zeile, 1942–57
  • Rev. W. Harry Krieger, 1957–65
  • Rev. Edwin C. Weber, 1965–69
  • Rev. Richard L. Schlecht, 1969–85
  • Rev. John L. Heins, 1985–97
  • Rev. C. William Hoesman, 1997–2009
  • Rev. Dr. David P.E. Maier, 2009–present

Oldest congregations

Saint Thomas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Freedom Township, Michigan; the oldest congregation in the Michigan district
Saint John's Lutheran Church in New Boston, Michigan

Largest congregations

Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.
Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan

References

  1. ↑ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). 6 April 2012.
  2. ↑ "Districts Profile Display - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod". lcms.org.
  3. ↑ "Districts Profile Display - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod". lcms.org.
  4. ↑ "Reporter - LCMS News & Information".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.