Minnesota North District (LCMS)

The Minnesota North District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), and covers the northern two-thirds of the state of Minnesota; it also includes two congregations in Wisconsin. The southern third of Minnesota constitutes the Minnesota South District, and the rest of Wisconsin is divided between the North Wisconsin and South Wisconsin Districts. In addition, two Minnesota congregations are in the non-geographic English District. The Minnesota North District includes approximately 203 congregations and missions, subdivided into 18 circuits, as well as 24 preschools, and 7 elementary schools. Baptized membership in district congregations is approximately 59,521.^[1]

The Minnesota North District was formed in 1963 when the Minnesota District was divided. District offices are located in Brainerd, Minnesota. 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. Donald Fondow has been the district president since 2003,^[2] and was re-elected to a fourth term in 2012.^[3] The 20th Regular Convention was held April 27–29 in Brainerd with the theme "Make a World for Christ My Goal"(LSB 831 v 4).^[4] The 21st Regular Convention was held April 16–18, 2012 in Alexandria, Minnesota, with the theme "Sent to Share Christ's Healing Grace (LSB 476 v.5).^[5]

Presidents

• Rev. Alfred C. Seltz, 1963–70
• Rev. August T. Mennicke, 1970–86
• Rev. Richard L. Guehna, 1986-96 (died in office)
• Rev. David P. Strohschein, 1996-97 (acting president)
• Rev. David A. Bode, 1997–2003
• Rev. Donald J. Fondow, 2003–present

Oldest congregations

• 1870 - Saint John Lutheran Church, North Branch, Minnesota
• 1872 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, Minnesota
• 1873 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Albany, Minnesota
• 1873 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Elizabeth, Minnesota
• 1873 - St. John's Lutheran Church, Rush City, Minnesota
• 1873 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, Minnesota
• 1874 - Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Minnesota
• 1874 - Saint James Lutheran Church, Parkers Prairie, Minnesota
• 1875 - Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Wood Lake, Minnesota
• 1875 - Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Perham, Minnesota
• 1876 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Holloway, Minnesota
• 1876 - Zion Lutheran Church, Princeton, Minnesota
• 1877 - Zion Lutheran Church, St. Francis, Minnesota
• 1880 - Zion Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Minnesota
• 1881 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Long Prairie, Minnesota
• 1882 - Saint John's Lutheran Church, Ada, Minnesota
• 1882 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Bellingham, Minnesota
• 1884 - First English Lutheran Church, Dorset, Minnesota
• 1884 - Nicolai Lutheran Church, Canby, Minnesota
• 1884 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Melrose, Minnesota
• 1884 - Zion Lutheran Church, Pine City, Minnesota

Oldest in Wisconsin: Christ Lutheran Church, Superior, Wisconsin, 1892

Largest congregations

Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.

• 1330- Trinity Lutheran Church, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota
• 1280- Zion Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Minnesota
• 1276- Saint John Lutheran Church, Park Rapids, Minnesota
• 1186- First Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, Minnesota
• 1184- Holy Cross Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota
• 1130- Zion Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
• 1040- Zion Lutheran Church, Brainerd, Minnesota
• 1035- Redeemer Lutheran Church, Willmar, Minnesota
• 1028- Trinity Lutheran Church, New York Mills, Minnesota
• 1024- Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Frazee, Minnesota
• 946- Trinity Lutheran Church, Long Prairie, Minnesota
• 790- Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Cohasset, Minnesota
• 789- Immanuel Lutheran Church, Parkers Prairie, Minnesota
• 726- St. John Lutheran Church, Wadena, Minnesota
• 715- Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Moorhead, Minnesota

Largest in Wisconsin: Christ Lutheran Church, Superior, Wisconsin, 378

References

External links

• Minnesota North District web site
• LCMS: Minnesota North District
• LCMS Congregation Directory
• Synodal-Bericht des Minnesota und Dakota Distrikts der Deutschen Evang.-Luth. Synode von Missouri, Ohio und Andern Staaten (1882–1889)
• Synodal-Bericht des Minnesota und Dakota Distrikts der Deutschen Evang.-Luth. Synode von Missouri, Ohio und Andern Staaten (1891–1910)