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Eastern District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

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Eastern District of the LCMS
Location
CountryUnited States
TerritoryWestern New York, Pennsylvania (except York and Lancaster counties), Garrett County, Maryland
HeadquartersWilliamsville, New York
Statistics
Congregations135
Schools
  • 30 preschool
  • 13 elementary
Members40,000
Information
DenominationLutheran Church – Missouri Synod
Established1854
Current leadership
PresidentRev. John Pingel
Map
Website
www.lcmsed.org

The Eastern District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS), and covers: most of upstate New York; Pennsylvania, with the exception of York and Lancaster Counties; and Garrett County at the western corner of the Maryland panhandle. The rest of New York, including New York City, is in the Atlantic District; York and Lancaster Counties in Pennsylvania and the remainder of Maryland are in the Southeastern District. In addition, sixteen congregations in the Eastern District's area are in the non-geographic English District, and eleven Pennsylvania congregations are in the SELC District. The Eastern District includes 135 congregations and missions, subdivided into 11 circuits, as well as 28 preschools and 9 elementary schools. Baptized membership in Eastern District congregations is approximately 40,000.[1]

The Eastern District is one of the Synod's four original districts formed in 1854; much of its territory was separated into the Atlantic District in 1906. District offices are located in Williamsville, New York. Delegates from each congregation meet in convention every three years to elect the district president, vice presidents, circuit visitors, a board of directors, and other officers. The Rev. John Pingel became the district president in 2022.[2] The 100th Regular Convention was held June 17–18, 2022 in Tonawanda, New York.

Presidents

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Rev. Ernst Gerhard Wilhelm Keyl, the founding president of the Eastern District
  • Rev. Ernst G. W. Keyl, 1854–1869
  • Rev. P. Carl Gross, 1869–1875
  • Rev. J. P. Beyer, 1875–1888
  • Rev. Peter Brand, 1888–1899
  • Rev. Herman H. Walker, 1899-1915
  • Rev. Franz (Francis) C. Verwiebe, 1915–1921
  • Rev. William Broeker, 1921–1928
  • Rev. J. K. E. Horst, 1928–1931
  • Rev. Franz (Francis) C. Verwiebe, 1931–1938
  • Rev. Oscar A. Sauer, 1938–1939
  • Rev. Paul Fretthold, 1939–1945
  • Rev. Charles A. Behnke, 1945–1955
  • Rev. Eric C. Malte, 1955–1958
  • Rev. Gustav M. Karkau, 1958–1966
  • Rev. Herman R. Frincke, 1966–1976
  • Rev. Albert W. Bahr, 1976-1978[3][4]
  • Rev. Arnold Kromphardt, 1978–1991
  • Rev. Dr. David Belasic, 1991–2000
  • Rev. Dr. John G. Brunner, 2000–2009
  • Rev. Dr. Chris C. Wicher, 2009–2022
  • Rev. John Pingel, 2022–present

Frincke was one of four district presidents who were removed from office by Synod President J. A. O. Preus on April 2, 1976, for non-compliance with synodical directives on the ordination and placement of improperly endorsed ministerial candidates from Seminex.[5] Bahr was appointed in his place.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Eastern District". Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  2. ^ "Pingel elected in Eastern District".
  3. ^ "Obituary: Rev. Albert W. Bahr, former president of the LCMS Eastern District". Reporter. 2022-03-15. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  4. ^ Blau, Eleanor (1976-04-11). "4 Lutheran Leaders Defy Ouster With Backing of Their Boards". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  5. ^ "April 2". Concordia Historical Institute. Archived from the original on July 7, 2010.
  6. ^ "Obituary: Rev. Albert W. Bahr, former president of the LCMS Eastern District". Reporter. 2022-03-15. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
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