Michigan District (LCMS)
Encyclopedia
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, eighteen 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. http://www.michigandistrict.org/sites/default/files/pdf/development/annualreports/annualreport2011.pdfBaptized
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 districts by over 30 congregations (Texas District
) and 80,000 members (Northern Illinois District
). The average congregation size of 604 members places the Michigan District second among the 35 districts, only slightly behind the Northern Illinois District (607).
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
. The Rev. David P.E. Maier was elected president of the district at the 2009 District Convention, succeeding the Rev. Dr. C. William Hoesman http://michigandistrict.com/pdf/whoweare/Proceedings2009.pdf. 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 on June 28 - July 1, 2009, and the next (the 100th Michigan District Convention) will be held in 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.
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 comprises the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
with the exception of the western half of the Upper Peninsula
Upper Peninsula of Michigan
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the northern of the two major land masses that make up the U.S. state of Michigan. It is commonly referred to as the Upper Peninsula, the U.P., or Upper Michigan. It is also known as the land "above the Bridge" linking the two peninsulas. The peninsula is bounded...
, which is in the North Wisconsin District
North Wisconsin District (LCMS)
The North Wisconsin District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers the northern two-thirds of Wisconsin as well as the western half of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. In addition, one congregation in the district's area is in the non-geographic SELC District...
. In addition, eighteen Michigan 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...
. The Michigan District includes approximately 380 congregations and missions, subdivided into 44 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 76 preschools, 83 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 7 high schools. http://www.michigandistrict.org/sites/default/files/pdf/development/annualreports/annualreport2011.pdfBaptized
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 approximately 212,000. It is by far the largest of the Synod's districts, exceeding the size of the next largest districts by over 30 congregations (Texas District
Texas District (LCMS)
The Texas District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the state of Texas with the exception of El Paso County, which is in the Rocky Mountain District...
) and 80,000 members (Northern Illinois District
Northern Illinois District (LCMS)
The Northern Illinois District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and covers the northern third of the state of Illinois, including the Chicago metropolitan area; the rest of the state is divided between the Central Illinois District and the Southern Illinois...
). The average congregation size of 604 members places the Michigan District second among the 35 districts, only slightly behind the Northern Illinois District (607).
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
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
portions of the district were separated in 1875, creating the Northwestern District. From 1875 to 1879, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
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
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
. The Rev. David P.E. Maier was elected president of the district at the 2009 District Convention, succeeding the Rev. Dr. C. William Hoesman http://michigandistrict.com/pdf/whoweare/Proceedings2009.pdf. 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 on June 28 - July 1, 2009, and the next (the 100th Michigan District Convention) will be held in June 24-27, 2012 at Concordia University, Ann Arbor.
Concordia University, Ann Arbor
Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Concordia University is a private liberal arts university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Its campus sits on the banks of the Huron River, about ten minutes outside downtown Ann Arbor. Concordia is affiliated with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and is a college of the Concordia...
, part of the LCMS' Concordia University System
Concordia University System
The Concordia University System is an organization of ten colleges and universities throughout the United States operated by the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod . All ten institutions are named "Concordia" and all include professional church work programs as part of their curricula. The CUS was...
, 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. David P.E. Maier, 2009-present
Oldest congregations
- 1842 - Saint Thomas Lutheran Church, Ann Arbor, MichiganAnn Arbor, MichiganAnn Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
- 1844 - Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, Monroe, MichiganMonroe, MichiganMonroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
- 1844 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Monroe, MichiganMonroe, MichiganMonroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
- 1845 - Saint Lorenz Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, MichiganFrankenmuth, MichiganFrankenmuth is a city in Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,838 at the 2000 census. The 2009 census estimate places the population at 4,619. The city is located within Frankenmuth Township, but is politically independent. Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland, which bills...
- 1845 - Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Eastpointe, MichiganEastpointe, MichiganEastpointe is a city in Macomb County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 34,077. Eastpointe forms a part of the Metro Detroit area. It borders on 8 Mile Road on the northern edge of Detroit.- History :The community was first settled by Irish and German...
- 1847 - Immanuel Lutheran Church of Frankentrost, Saginaw, MichiganSaginaw, MichiganSaginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
- 1847 - St. John's Lutheran Church, Adrian, MichiganAdrian, MichiganAs of the 2010 census Adrian had a population of 21,133. The racial and ethnic makeup of the population was 84.1% white, 4.4% black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 5.9% from some other race and 4.0% from two or more races...
- 1847 - Zion Lutheran Church, Marshall, MichiganMarshall, MichiganMarshall is a city located in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,459. It is the county seat of Calhoun County...
- 1848 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Bay City, MichiganBay City, MichiganBay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North...
- 1849 - Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Saginaw, MichiganSaginaw, MichiganSaginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
- 1849 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Monroe, MichiganMonroe, MichiganMonroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
- 1850 - Historic Trinity Lutheran ChurchHistoric Trinity Lutheran ChurchThe Historic Trinity Lutheran Church is a church located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It occupies the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church complex, located at 1345 Gratiot Avenue. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1981 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in...
, Lafayette Park, Detroit, Michigan - 1851 - Saint Michael Lutheran Church, Richville, Michigan
- 1852 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sebewaing, MichiganSebewaing, MichiganSebewaing is a village in Huron County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,974 at the 2000 census. The village is within Sebewaing Township. This small community is known as the Sugar Beet Capital, due to the Michigan Sugar slicing mill located within the village and the yearly...
- 1852 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Bay City, MichiganBay City, MichiganBay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North...
- 1853 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Macomb, Michigan
- 1856 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MichiganGrand Rapids, MichiganGrand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
- 1857 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Port Sanilac, MichiganPort Sanilac, MichiganPort Sanilac is a village in Sanilac Township, Sanilac County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 658 at the 2000 census.-History:...
- 1857 - Saint John's Lutheran ChurchSt. John's Lutheran Church and School (New Boston, Michigan)St. John's is a congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod located in New Boston, Michigan. The church also operates an elementary school for children from preschool through eighth grade.-History:...
, New Boston, MichiganNew Boston, MichiganNew Boston is an unincorporated community in Huron Charter Township, Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan.Huron Township includes three separate communities, the largest community is New Boston, the two smaller being Willow and Waltz... - 1859 - Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Britton, MichiganBritton, MichiganBritton is a village in Lenawee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 699 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Ridgeway Township.-History:...
Largest congregations
- Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.
- 4615- Saint Lorenz Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, MichiganFrankenmuth, MichiganFrankenmuth is a city in Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,838 at the 2000 census. The 2009 census estimate places the population at 4,619. The city is located within Frankenmuth Township, but is politically independent. Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland, which bills...
- 4525- Trinity Lutheran Church, Utica, MichiganUtica, MichiganUtica is a city in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,577 at the 2000 census. The 2008 Census Bureau Estimate places the population at 4,924.- History :...
- 4374- Immanuel Lutheran Church, Macomb, Michigan
- 3591- Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Macomb, Michigan
- 3547- Faith Lutheran Church, Troy, MichiganTroy, MichiganTroy is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan, and is a suburb of Detroit. The population was 80,980 at the 2010 census, making it the 11th-largest city in Michigan by population, and the largest city in Oakland County...
- 2580- Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, Walled Lake, MichiganWalled Lake, MichiganWalled Lake is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,999 at the 2010 census.-Origins of the name:The town's name is said to have been given by the first Euro-American settler, Walter Hewitt, in 1825...
- 2575- Trinity Lutheran Church, Clinton Township, MichiganClinton Charter Township, MichiganThe Charter Township of Clinton, usually referred to as Clinton Township, is a charter township of Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a part of Metro Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the township had a total population of 96,796, and is Michigan's most populous township...
- 2440- Saint John Lutheran Church, Rochester, MichiganRochester, MichiganRochester is an affluent city in north Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan on the northern outskirts of metro Detroit. The population was 12,711 at the 2010 census...
- 2356- Faith Lutheran Church, Grand Blanc, MichiganGrand Blanc, MichiganGrand Blanc is a city in Genesee County in the U.S. state of Michigan and a suburb of Flint. The population was 8,242 at the 2000 census. The city is situated within Grand Blanc Charter Township, but is politically independent...
- 2088- Trinity Lutheran Church, St. Joseph, MichiganSt. Joseph, MichiganSt. Joseph is a city in the US state of Michigan. It was incorporated as a village in 1834 and as a city in 1891. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,789. It lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, about east-northeast of Chicago. It is the county...
- 2069- Peace Lutheran Church, Saginaw, MichiganSaginaw, MichiganSaginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
- 1960- Christ the King Lutheran Church, Southgate, MichiganSouthgate, MichiganSouthgate is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 30,047 at the 2010 census.Southgate was the last city to incorporate from the former Ecorse Township, gaining city status in October 1958...
- 1924- Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Millington, MichiganMillington, MichiganMillington is a village in Tuscola County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,137 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Millington Township....
- 1916- Trinity Lutheran Church, Monroe, MichiganMonroe, MichiganMonroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
- 1859- Historic Trinity Lutheran ChurchHistoric Trinity Lutheran ChurchThe Historic Trinity Lutheran Church is a church located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It occupies the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church complex, located at 1345 Gratiot Avenue. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1981 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in...
, Lafayette Park, Detroit, Michigan - 1829- Messiah Lutheran Church, Clio, MichiganClio, MichiganClio is a city in Genesee County in the U.S. state of Michigan.As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 2,483. Clio is home to Michigan's second tallest construction, the WEYI Tower...
- 1800- Zion Lutheran Church, Bay City, MichiganBay City, MichiganBay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North...
- 4615- Saint Lorenz Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, Michigan
External links
- Michigan District web site
- LCMS: Michigan District and congregation directory
- Verhandlungen der fünfundzwanzigsten Jahresversammlung des Michigan-distrikts der deutschen evang.-luth. Synode von Missouri, Ohio und Andern Staaten (Starts with Northern District, then Michigan district, 1880-1892)
- Verhandlungen der vierunddreissigsten Jahresversammlung des Michigan-distrikts der deutschen evang.-lutherischen Synode von Missouri, Ohio und Andern Staaten (1894-1906)