Eastern District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

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.

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. The 100th Regular Convention was held June 17–18, 2022 in Tonawanda, New York.

Presidents

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 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. Bahr was appointed in his place.

References

External links Eastern District web site LCMS: Eastern District LCMS Congregation Directory