Church History

Jesus Christ came to earth as a flesh-and-blood man and lived a historical life, suffering and dying “under Pontius Pilate” as we confess in the Apostles’ Creed. As Lutherans, we cherish the history of the church, seeing in it how our Lord has guided and protected His church through the last 2,000 years.

Church History

The first complete Spanish Bible

The story of Casiodoro de Reina, one of the first Spaniards to embrace Protestant faith.

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Our Great Heritage

Portraits of faith from the Apostolic age to the twentieth century.

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In the News

May 20, 2025

Constantine the Great: Hero of Luther and Exemplary Christian Ruler

Luther and Melanchthon regarded Constantine highly. It is worth our time to learn about and celebrate this great defender of the church.

May 1, 2025

The Council of Nicaea: How the Early Church Sought Unity — With the Help of an Emperor

A history of the Council of Nicaea and the events that led up to it.

September 11, 2024

Our Great Heritage: J.A.O. Preus II

This preacher, teacher, translator and LCMS president confessed the joyous reality of Christ and His resurrection found in Scripture.

Highlights

Sketches of Faith and Life in the 175-Year History of the LCMS

Sketches of Faith and Life in the 175-Year History of the LCMS

Learn more about some of the people who made a significant impact on the LCMS throughout its history.

A Reading List of LCMS History

Learn from the very early years when immigrants came to Missouri through more recent events of the 20th century.

Casiodoro de Reina, translator and publisher of first complete Spanish Bible

Casiodoro de Reina, a monk in the Seville area of Spain in the mid-16th century, was one of the first Spaniards to embrace the principles of the Protestant Reformation.

Juan de Frías, Lutheran martyr of Venezuela

In 1672, the Inquisition imprisoned four priests on the charge of being unrepentant Lutheran heretics. Three of the priests were Canary Islanders serving in Venezuela; the fourth was a native Venezuelan from Caracas named Juan de Frías.

June 5, 2019

Essay: 'The History of LCMS Mercy Work with African Americans'

The Rev. Dr. Roosevelt Gray explores the legacy of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod using mercy work as a means by which to share the Gospel with African-Americans.