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 16 circuits, as well as 30 preschools and 13 elementary schools. Baptized membership in Eastern District congregations is approximately 51,000.
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 counselors, a board of directors, and other officers. The Rev. Dr. Chris C. Wicher became the district president in 2009. [1] The 97th Regular Convention was held June 15-16, 2012 in Amherst, New York.
Rev. Ernst G. W. Keyl, 1854-69
Rev. P. Carl Gross, 1869-75
Rev. J. P. Beyer, 1875-88
Rev. Peter Brand, 1888-99
Rev. Herman H. Walker, 1899-1915
Rev. Franz (Francis) C. Verwiebe, 1915-21
Rev. William Broeker, 1921-28
Rev. J. K. E. Horst, 1928-31
Rev. Franz (Francis) C. Verwiebe, 1931-38
Rev. Oscar A. Sauer, 1938-39
Rev. Paul Fretthold, 1939-45
Rev. Charles A. Behnke, 1945-55
Rev. Eric C. Malte, 1955-58
Rev. Gustav M. Karkau, 1958-66
Rev. Herman R. Frincke, 1966-76
Rev. Arnold Kromphardt, 1978-91
Rev. Dr. David Belasic, 1991-2000
Rev. Dr. John G. Brunner, 2000-2009
Rev. Dr. Chris C. Wicher, 2009- 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 [2].
1833 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Silver Creek, New York
1835 - Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Cabot, Pennsylvania
1839 - First Trinity Lutheran Church, Tonawanda, New York
1843 - Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, Bergholtz, New York
1847 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Pittston, Pennsylvania
1849 - Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, New Sewickley Township, Pennsylvania
1849 - Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Eden, New York
1849 - Trinity Lutheran Church, West Seneca, New York
1853 - Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
1853 - Saint John Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, New York
1854 - Saint Martin's Lutheran Church, Boston, New York
1854 - Zion Lutheran Church, Accident, Maryland
1855 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Olean, New York
1856 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Allegany, New York
1857 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Lockport, New York
1859 - Saint Michael Lutheran Church, Wolcottsville, New York
1859 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Wellsville, New York
1860 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Accident, Maryland
1860 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Cohocton, New York
1861 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, New York
Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.
2698 - Hope Lutheran Church, Rochester, New York
1525 - Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Cabot, Pennsylvania
1292 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, New York
1081 - Faith Lutheran Church, Penfield, New York
1023- Saint John's Lutheran Church, Orchard Park, New York
997 - Saint Mark Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, New York
945 - Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, North Tonawanda, New York
886 - First Trinity Lutheran Church, Tonawanda, New York
878 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Hamlin, New York
862- Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Cheektowaga, New York
830 - Trinity Lutheran Church, West Seneca, New York
761 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Eden, New York
755 - Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, Bergholtz, New York
731 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Farmington, New York
694 - Faith Lutheran Church, Easton, Pennsylvania
Largest in Maryland: Zion Lutheran Church, Accident, Maryland, 393
