North Dakota District (LCMS)

The North Dakota District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS), and comprises the state of North Dakota as well as including one congregation in South Dakota; the rest of South Dakota constitutes the South Dakota District. The North Dakota District includes approximately 93 congregations and missions, subdivided into 6 circuits, as well as 5 preschools and 2 elementary schools. Baptized membership in district congregations is over 22,000.

The North Dakota District was formed in 1945 when the North Dakota and Montana District was divided, also creating the Montana District. District offices are located in Fargo, North Dakota; in August 2008, the Rev. Patrick O'Brian of Oakes, North Dakota began serving the remainder of Rev. Dr. Larry Harvala's term as district president after Harvala accepted a call to serve as Professor of Pastoral Care at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana [1]. Delegates from each congregation meet in convention every four years to elect the district president, vice presidents, circuit counselors, a board of directors, and other officers; the last convention was held in January 2009

Presidents

• Rev. Arnold Henry Grumm, 1945–50
• Rev. Walter Henry Theodore Cordts, 1950–54
• Rev. Bernhard G. Mueller, 1954–57
• Rev. Lothar Karl Meyer, 1957–61
• Rev. Harold V. Huber, 1961–65
• Rev. John D. Fritz, 1965–67
• Rev. Alwin M. Reimnitz, 1967–91
• Rev. Norman C. Sincebaugh, 1991–2000
• Rev. Larry S. Harvala, 2000–2008
• Rev. Patrick O'Brian, 2008–2009
• Rev. James Baneck, 2009–present

Oldest congregations

• 1875 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Hillsboro, North Dakota
• 1875 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, North Dakota
• 1878 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Crystal, North Dakota
• 1882 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, St. Thomas, North Dakota
• 1883 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Hankinson, North Dakota
• 1884 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lidgerwood, North Dakota
• 1887 - Zion English Lutheran Church, Grafton, North Dakota
• 1888 - Zion Lutheran Church, Edgeley, North Dakota
• 1889 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Willow City, North Dakota
• 1889 - Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Hannover, North Dakota

Only congregation in South Dakota: Zion Lutheran Church, Claire City, South Dakota, 1894

Largest congregations

Membership totals are c. 2006.

• 1541 - Zion Lutheran Church, Bismarck, North Dakota
• 1099 - St. Andrew Lutheran Church, West Fargo, North Dakota
• 861 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fargo, North Dakota
• 882 - Our Savior Lutheran Church, Minot, North Dakota
• 853 - Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Minot, North Dakota
• 789 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Minot, North Dakota
• 756 - Concordia Lutheran Church, Jamestown, North Dakota
• 742 - Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Fargo, North Dakota
• 706 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, North Dakota
• 619 - Grace Lutheran Church, Fargo, North Dakota

Only congregation in South Dakota: Zion Lutheran Church, Claire City, South Dakota, 123

External links

• North Dakota District web site
• LCMS: North Dakota District
• Synodal-Bericht des Minnesota und Dakota Distrikts der Deutschen Evang.-Luth. Synode von Missouri, Ohio und Andern Staaten (1882–1889)
• Synodal-Bericht des Minnesota und Dakota Distrikts der Deutschen Evang.-Luth. Synode von Missouri, Ohio und Andern Staaten (1891–1910)