Rocky Mountain District (LCMS)
Encyclopedia
The Rocky Mountain District is one of the 35 districts
of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
(LCMS). It encompasses the states of Colorado
, New Mexico
and Utah
, as well as El Paso County, Texas
; the rest of Texas constitutes the Texas District
, and one Colorado congregation is in the Wyoming District
. The district also includes one congregation each from the states of Arizona
and Nebraska
. One Utah congregation is in the non-geographic English District
. The Rocky Mountain District includes approximately 180 congregations and missions, subdivided into 17 circuits
, as well as 36 preschools, 33 elementary schools
and 5 high schools. Baptized
membership in district congregations is approximately 58,000.
The Rocky Mountain District was formed in 1921 as the Colorado District, separating from the Kansas District
; it originally consisted of Colorado and Utah, and expanded as congregations were started elsewhere. New Mexico was added to the district from portions of the Kansas and Texas Districts in 1941-42. District offices are located in urora, Colorado]. The Rev. Randy Golter has been the district president since September 2003, and was reelected in 2006 and 2009. 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 last convention was held in 2009. The next will be held June 7-9 2012 in Denver, CO.
Oldest in New Mexico: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico
, 1914
Only congregation in Arizona: Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, Page, Arizona
, 1957
Largest in New Mexico: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico
, 602
Largest in Texas: Ascension Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church, both in El Paso, Texas
, 367
Only congregation in Arizona: Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, Page, Arizona
, 79
Only congregation in Nebraska: Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Venango, Nebraska
, 73
Districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is organized into 35 districts, 33 of which are defined along geographic lines. Each district has a president who oversees the congregations in his district, which are further subdivided into local circuits...
of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is a traditional, confessional Lutheran denomination in the United States. With 2.3 million members, it is both the eighth largest Protestant denomination and the second-largest Lutheran body in the U.S. after the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Synod...
(LCMS). It encompasses the states of Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
and Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, as well as El Paso County, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
; the rest of Texas constitutes the Texas District
Texas District (LCMS)
The Texas District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the state of Texas with the exception of El Paso County, which is in the Rocky Mountain District...
, and one Colorado congregation is in the Wyoming District
Wyoming District (LCMS)
The Wyoming District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and encompasses the state of Wyoming as well as the Nebraska Panhandle and one congregation in Colorado; the rest of Nebraska constitutes the Nebraska District except for one congregation in the Rocky Mountain...
. The district also includes one congregation each from the states of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. One Utah congregation is in the non-geographic English District
English District (LCMS)
The English District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod . It is one of the Synod's two non-geographical districts, along with the SELC District, and has its origins in the congregations of the former English Evangelical Lutheran Synod, which merged with the LCMS in...
. The Rocky Mountain District includes approximately 180 congregations and missions, subdivided into 17 circuits
Circuit (LCMS)
A circuit, in the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , is a local grouping of congregations within one of the Synod's 35 districts. Circuits typically include 8 to 12 congregations...
, as well as 36 preschools, 33 elementary schools
Lutheran school
Lutheran schools and education were a priority for Lutherans who emigrated to the United States and Australia from Germany and Scandinavia. One of the first things they did was to create schools for their children. This strong educational tradition was handed down from Martin Luther himself. The...
and 5 high schools. Baptized
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
membership in district congregations is approximately 58,000.
The Rocky Mountain District was formed in 1921 as the Colorado District, separating from the Kansas District
Kansas District (LCMS)
The Kansas District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod , and comprises the state of Kansas; one congregation near the state's northern border is in the Nebraska District. The Kansas District includes approximately 166 congregations and missions, subdivided into 16...
; it originally consisted of Colorado and Utah, and expanded as congregations were started elsewhere. New Mexico was added to the district from portions of the Kansas and Texas Districts in 1941-42. District offices are located in urora, Colorado]. The Rev. Randy Golter has been the district president since September 2003, and was reelected in 2006 and 2009. 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 last convention was held in 2009. The next will be held June 7-9 2012 in Denver, CO.
Presidents
- Rev. Otto Luessenhop, 1921–30
- Rev. Otto K. Hensel, 1930–34
- Rev. Frederick William Obermeier, 1934–42
- Rev. E. Julius Friedrich, 1942–50
- Rev. Henry G. Hartner, 1950–54
- Rev. Herbert H. Hellbusch, 1954–60
- Rev. Walter A. Enge, 1960–66
- Rev. Waldemar E. Meyer, 1966-76
- Rev. Ralph Phipps, 1976-85
- Rev. John Peterson, 1985-93
- Rev. Roger L. Krause, 1993-2003
- Rev. Randall L. 'Randy' Golter, 2003-present
Oldest congregations
- 1872 - Hope Lutheran Church, Westcliffe, ColoradoWestcliffe, Colorado-Nonprofit Cultural Groups:* * * * * -Media:* * * -External links:***...
- 1879 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Washington Park, Denver, ColoradoWashington Park, Denver-Geography:Washington Park is located in south central Denver. The park is long and rectangular and is bordered by Virginia Avenue on the north, Downing Street on the west, Louisiana Avenue on the south, and Franklin Street on the east...
- 1881 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Durango, ColoradoDurango, ColoradoThe City of Durango is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of La Plata County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau said that the city population was 16,887 in 2010 census.-History:...
- 1884 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Cortez, ColoradoCortez, ColoradoThe city of Cortez is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 8,482 at the 2010 census...
- 1888 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Pueblo, ColoradoPueblo, ColoradoPueblo is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. The population was 106,595 in 2010 census, making it the 246th most populous city in the United States....
- 1898 - Saint John's Lutheran Church, Salt Lake City, UtahSalt Lake City, UtahSalt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
- 1898 - Zion Lutheran Church, El Paso, TexasEl Paso, TexasEl Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
- 1900 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, ColoradoColorado Springs, ColoradoColorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
- 1900 - Zion Lutheran Church, Brighton, ColoradoBrighton, ColoradoBrighton is a Home Rule Municipality in Adams and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado, and the county seat of Adams County. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 31,380 in 2008.-Geography:...
- 1902 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Genoa, ColoradoGenoa, ColoradoGenoa is a Statutory Town located in Lincoln County, Colorado, United States. The population was 211 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Genoa is located at ....
- 1904 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Greeley, ColoradoGreeley, ColoradoThe City of Greeley is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Weld County, Colorado, United States. Greeley is located in the region known as Northern Colorado. Greeley is situated north-northeast of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. According to the...
- 1906 - Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Rocky Ford, ColoradoRocky Ford, ColoradoThe City of Rocky Ford is a Statutory City located in Otero County, Colorado, United States. The population was 4,286 at the United States Census 2000.-Geography:Rocky Ford is located at ....
- 1906 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Morgan, ColoradoFort Morgan, ColoradoThe City of Fort Morgan is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Morgan County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimated that the city population was 10,844 in 2005.-History:...
- 1906 - Zion Lutheran Church, Holyoke, ColoradoHolyoke, ColoradoThe City of Holyoke is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Phillips County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 2,261 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Holyoke is located at ....
- 1907 - Emmaus Lutheran Church, West Highland, Denver, Colorado
- 1907 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Arriba, ColoradoArriba, ColoradoThe Town of Arriba is a Statutory Town located in Lincoln County, Colorado, United States. The population was 244 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Arriba is located at , along Interstate 70....
- 1907 - Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Venango, NebraskaVenango, NebraskaVenango is a village in Perkins County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 175 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Venango is located at ....
- 1907 - Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Monte Vista, ColoradoMonte Vista, ColoradoThe City of Monte Vista is a Home Rule Municipality that is the most populous city in Rio Grande County, Colorado, United States. The population was 4,529 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- 1908 - Saint John's Lutheran Church, Fort Collins, ColoradoFort Collins, ColoradoFort Collins is a Home Rule Municipality situated on the Cache La Poudre River along the Colorado Front Range, and is the county seat and most populous city of Larimer County, Colorado, United States. Fort Collins is located north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. With a 2010 census...
- 1909 - Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Amherst, ColoradoAmherst, ColoradoAmherst is a census-designated place and U.S. Post Office in Phillips County, Colorado, United States. The population as of the 2010 Census was 58. The ZIP Code of the Amherst Post Office is 80721.-History:The town of Amherst was established about 1887....
Oldest in New Mexico: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
, 1914
Only congregation in Arizona: Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, Page, Arizona
Page, Arizona
Page is a city in Coconino County, Arizona, United States, near the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 6,794.-Geography:Page is located at ....
, 1957
Largest congregations
- Membership totals are c. 2006.
- 2522 - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lakewood, ColoradoLakewood, ColoradoLakewood is a Home Rule Municipality that is the most populous city in Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Lakewood is the fifth most populous city in the State of Colorado and the 172nd most populous city in the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that in April 1, 2010...
- 2148 - Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, ColoradoColorado Springs, ColoradoColorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
- 1728 - Peace Lutheran Church, Arvada, ColoradoArvada, ColoradoThe City of Arvada is a Home Rule Municipality located in Jefferson and Adams counties in the Denver metropolitan area of the U.S. State of Colorado. Olde Town Arvada is located northwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver...
- 1613 - Peace with Christ Lutheran Church, Aurora, ColoradoAurora, ColoradoCity of Aurora is a Home Rule Municipality spanning Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties in Colorado. Aurora is an eastern suburb of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area . The city is the third most populous city in the Colorado and the 56th most populous city in the...
- 1599 - Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Aurora, ColoradoAurora, ColoradoCity of Aurora is a Home Rule Municipality spanning Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties in Colorado. Aurora is an eastern suburb of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area . The city is the third most populous city in the Colorado and the 56th most populous city in the...
- 1473 - Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fort Collins, ColoradoFort Collins, ColoradoFort Collins is a Home Rule Municipality situated on the Cache La Poudre River along the Colorado Front Range, and is the county seat and most populous city of Larimer County, Colorado, United States. Fort Collins is located north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. With a 2010 census...
- 1323 - Our Father Lutheran Church, Centennial, ColoradoCentennial, ColoradoThe city of Centennial is a Home Rule City located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States, and part of the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area. The city was to have a total population of 100,377 in 2010 census. Centennial is the tenth-most populous municipality in the state of Colorado and its...
- 1295 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Loveland, ColoradoLoveland, ColoradoLoveland is a Home Rule Municipality that is the second most populous city in Larimer County, Colorado, United States. Loveland is situated north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. Loveland is the 14th most populous city in Colorado. The United States Census Bureau that in 2010 the...
- 1260 - Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Centennial, ColoradoCentennial, ColoradoThe city of Centennial is a Home Rule City located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States, and part of the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area. The city was to have a total population of 100,377 in 2010 census. Centennial is the tenth-most populous municipality in the state of Colorado and its...
- 1227 - Zion Lutheran Church, Brighton, ColoradoBrighton, ColoradoBrighton is a Home Rule Municipality in Adams and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado, and the county seat of Adams County. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 31,380 in 2008.-Geography:...
- 1217 - Lutheran Church of the Messiah, Grand Junction, ColoradoGrand Junction, ColoradoThe City of Grand Junction is the largest city in western Colorado. It is a city with a council–manager government form that is the county seat and the most populous city of Mesa County, Colorado, United States. Grand Junction is situated west-southwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. As...
- 1001 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Greeley, ColoradoGreeley, ColoradoThe City of Greeley is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Weld County, Colorado, United States. Greeley is located in the region known as Northern Colorado. Greeley is situated north-northeast of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. According to the...
- 988 - Grace Lutheran Church, Sandy, UtahSandy, UtahSandy is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is a suburb of Salt Lake City. The population was 87,461 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth-largest city in Utah....
- 942 - Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Northglenn, ColoradoNorthglenn, ColoradoNorthglenn is a Home Rule Municipality in Adams and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 33,697 in 2008.-Geography:Northglenn is located at ....
- 814 - Christ Lutheran Church, Murray, UtahMurray, UtahMurray is a city situated on the Wasatch Front in the core of Salt Lake Valley in the U.S. state of Utah. Named for territorial governor Eli Murray, it is the state's fourteenth largest city. According to the 2010 census, Murray has approximately 46,746 residents.Murray is close to Salt Lake City,...
- 809 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Ogden, UtahOgden, UtahOgden is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States. Ogden serves as the county seat of Weber County. The population was 82,825 according to the 2010 Census. The city served as a major railway hub through much of its history, and still handles a great deal of freight rail traffic which makes it a...
- 722 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Morgan, ColoradoFort Morgan, ColoradoThe City of Fort Morgan is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Morgan County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimated that the city population was 10,844 in 2005.-History:...
- 690 - Risen Savior Lutheran Church, Broomfield, ColoradoBroomfield, ColoradoThe City and County of Broomfield is a prominent suburb and tier of the Denver metropolitan area in the State of Colorado of the United States. Broomfield has a consolidated city and county government which operates under Article XX, Sections 10-13 of the Constitution of the State of Colorado. The...
- 650 - Ascension Lutheran Church, Littleton, ColoradoLittleton, ColoradoLittleton is a Home Rule Municipality contained in Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Littleton is a suburb of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area. Littleton is the county seat of Arapahoe County and the 20th most populous city in the state of...
- 618 - Summit of Peace Lutheran Church, Thornton, ColoradoThornton, ColoradoThe city of Thornton is a Home Rule Municipality in Adams and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado and a suburb of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area. Thornton is northeast of the state's capital, Denver. The United States Census Bureau that the city population...
- 2522 - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lakewood, Colorado
Largest in New Mexico: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
, 602
Largest in Texas: Ascension Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church, both in El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
, 367
Only congregation in Arizona: Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church, Page, Arizona
Page, Arizona
Page is a city in Coconino County, Arizona, United States, near the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 6,794.-Geography:Page is located at ....
, 79
Only congregation in Nebraska: Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Venango, Nebraska
Venango, Nebraska
Venango is a village in Perkins County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 175 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Venango is located at ....
, 73