North Dakota Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Records
Collection
Identifier: Mss 3110
Scope and Content
The North Dakota Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Records collection has been broken down into six series: The History series, the Walther League series, the Newsletter series, the Pamphlet series, the Artifact series, and the Multimedia series.
Dates
- 1919-2020
Access
The collections is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Copyrights
Copyrights to this collection remain with the creators.
History
The founders of the Missouri Synod, dissatisfied with the more liberal practices of the Kingdom of Saxony, a region of Germany, and, seeking the freedom to practice their form of Lutheranism, immigrated from Germany in 1838 and settled near St. Louis in what became known as the Saxon immigration. They were a conservative group known as confessional Lutherans and were strict followers of the Book of Concord, which they believe is an unerring and faithful interpretation of the Word of God. Shortly after settling, Bishop Martin Stephan, who was the senior leader of the group, was expelled from the group after being accused of embezzlement and having improper relationships with women in the congregation. Leadership of the group would be turned over to C. F. W. Walther in 1839, a prolific writer and whose writings became the foundation of the Synod. The German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States would officially be established in 1847 with Walther as its first president, and the name was later changed to The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod in 1947.
The beginnings of the North Dakota district start with the arrival of settlers in 1875 brought by the Great Northern Railroad. The Great Northwest District would officially be formed on November 7th, 1880 by the installation of Pastor Frederick Pfotenhauer and covered Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota Territory, Montana Territory, and parts of Canada. Over the next 6 years, Reverend Pfotenhaur travelled Dakota and Montana Territories creating and recruiting congregations to the Synod. Wisconsin would form its own district in 1882 and leave the Great Northwest District. In 1906 and 1910 South Dakota and Minnesota, respectively, would also withdraw. Canada would form its own district in 1922. Montana and North Dakota were separated into their own districts in 1945.
The beginnings of the North Dakota district start with the arrival of settlers in 1875 brought by the Great Northern Railroad. The Great Northwest District would officially be formed on November 7th, 1880 by the installation of Pastor Frederick Pfotenhauer and covered Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota Territory, Montana Territory, and parts of Canada. Over the next 6 years, Reverend Pfotenhaur travelled Dakota and Montana Territories creating and recruiting congregations to the Synod. Wisconsin would form its own district in 1882 and leave the Great Northwest District. In 1906 and 1910 South Dakota and Minnesota, respectively, would also withdraw. Canada would form its own district in 1922. Montana and North Dakota were separated into their own districts in 1945.
Extent
2.25 Linear Feet (2.25 linear ft)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The records of the North Dakota Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Records range from 1919 to 2020.
Provenance
Donated by Vicki Peihl (Acc. 2021-015irs).
Separated Materials
The following non-manuscript items have been removed from the North Dakota Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Records and sent to the sections indicated:
Photograph collection
Two photo albums containing images from LYF Experience camps dating from 1986 to 1988, church gatherings, and church conferences (Photo 2204)
Photograph collection
Two photo albums containing images from LYF Experience camps dating from 1986 to 1988, church gatherings, and church conferences (Photo 2204)
Property Rights
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the North Dakota Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Records
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu