History

The long and storied history of Lutherans in the US begins over 300 years ago. Here are four of the oldest congregations still active today. Click on the church name to read more of their interesting history.

1. Zion Lutheran, Oldwick, NJ: First formed by German immigrants, this congregation has been active for 296 years. The first Pastor to lead the congregation was Justus Falkner, widely considered to be the first Protestant clergyman ordained in America.
2. Hebron Lutheran, Madison, VA: The congregation that began in a log cabin have been in their present home since 1740. Although the church has undergone several renovations/expansions, the wooden church still boasts mounting platforms for horse driven carriages.
3. Augustus Lutheran, Trappe, PA: Tired of trudging over 10 miles for Sunday service, the Lutheran community of Trappe (then called Providence) completed building their own church in 1745. An expanding congregation facilitated the building of a new church in 1851; however, the original building is still standing and is the oldest unchanged Lutheran building in the United States.
4. St. Matthew Lutheran, New York, NY: First chartered in 1664, St. Matthew is the oldest Lutheran congregation in the United States. Not immune to New York’s growing pains, the congregation has been active in various locations throughout for over 345 years.