The Minnesota North District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), and covers the northern two-thirds of the state of Minnesota; it also includes two congregations in Wisconsin. The southern third of Minnesota constitutes the Minnesota South District, and the rest of Wisconsin is divided between the North Wisconsin and South Wisconsin Districts. In addition, two Minnesota congregations are in the non-geographic English District. The Minnesota North District includes approximately 203 congregations and missions, subdivided into 18 circuits, as well as 24 preschools, and 7 elementary schools. Baptized membership in district congregations is approximately 59,521. [1]
The Minnesota North District was formed in 1963 when the Minnesota District was divided. District offices are located in Brainerd, Minnesota. 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. Donald Fondow has been the district president since 2003, [2] and was re-elected to a fourth term in 2012. [3] The 20th Regular Convention was held April 27–29 in Brainerd, MN, with the theme "Make a World for Christ My Goal"(LSB 831 v 4). [4] The 21st Regular Convention was held April 16–18, 2012 in Alexandria, MN with the theme "Sent to Share Christ's Healing Grace (LSB 476 v.5). [5]
Rev. Alfred C. Seltz, 1963–70
Rev. August T. Mennicke, 1970–86
Rev. Richard L. Guehna, 1986-96 (died in office)
Rev. David P. Strohschein, 1996-97 (acting president)
Rev. David A. Bode, 1997–2003
Rev. Donald J. Fondow, 2003–present
1870 - Saint John Lutheran Church, North Branch, Minnesota
1872 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, Minnesota
1873 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Albany, Minnesota
1873 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Elizabeth, Minnesota
1873 - St. John's Lutheran Church, Rush City, Minnesota
1873 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, Minnesota
1874 - Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Minnesota
1874 - Saint James Lutheran Church, Parkers Prairie, Minnesota
1875 - Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Wood Lake, Minnesota
1875 - Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Perham, Minnesota
1876 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Holloway, Minnesota
1876 - Zion Lutheran Church, Princeton, Minnesota
1877 - Zion Lutheran Church, St. Francis, Minnesota
1880 - Zion Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Minnesota
1881 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Long Prairie, Minnesota
1882 - Saint John's Lutheran Church, Ada, Minnesota
1882 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Bellingham, Minnesota
1884 - First English Lutheran Church, Dorset, Minnesota
1884 - Nicolai Lutheran Church, Canby, Minnesota
1884 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Melrose, Minnesota
1884 - Zion Lutheran Church, Pine City, Minnesota
Oldest in Wisconsin: Christ Lutheran Church, Superior, Wisconsin, 1892
Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.
1330- Trinity Lutheran Church, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota
1280- Zion Lutheran Church, Alexandria, Minnesota
1276- Saint John Lutheran Church, Park Rapids, Minnesota
1186- First Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, Minnesota
1184- Holy Cross Lutheran Church, St. Cloud, Minnesota
1130- Zion Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
1040- Zion Lutheran Church, Brainerd, Minnesota
1035- Redeemer Lutheran Church, Willmar, Minnesota
1028- Trinity Lutheran Church, New York Mills, Minnesota
1024- Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Frazee, Minnesota
946- Trinity Lutheran Church, Long Prairie, Minnesota
790- Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Cohasset, Minnesota
789- Immanuel Lutheran Church, Parkers Prairie, Minnesota
726- St. John Lutheran Church, Wadena, Minnesota
715- Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Moorhead, Minnesota
Largest in Wisconsin: Christ Lutheran Church, Superior, Wisconsin, 378
