The beginnings and early history of
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
LCMS & Concordia Seminary
and Christian A. Bergt Farm
Altenburg - Frohna - Wittenberg, MO
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The Saxon Lutheran Memorial is just north of Frohna, on 11 acres established in memory of the early settlers and the beginnings of the Missouri Synod. The home at right is one of several interesting buildings on the site, including a log barn with early farm equipment, and a visitors' center. (573) 824-5404
Concordia College (left picture) opened in December of 1839, and moved to St. Louis ten years later. The log college is listed in the state and national registers of historic places. Peek at Concordia Seminary now.
Trinity Lutheran Church - An older building near the log college was built in 1845 as a church, then converted into a school where it was used for 102 years. It is now a museum with several artifacts the settlers brought from Germany. Included is the "Liberty Bell", and original altar furnishings. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, which started here, now has 2.7 million members. There are several "Trinity Lutheran" churches in the immediate area, including one just down the street. (573) 824-5906
A historical marker in front of the log college reads:
Some 700 Saxon Lutherans settled, 1839, in Perry County and formed the parishes of Altenburg, Wittenberg, Dresden, Seelitz, Frohna, and one settlement, Johannesburg in Cape Girardeau County. The community of Paitzdorf (Uniontown) was organized in 1840. The Saxons came to Missouri mainly for the purpose of freeing themselves from the Saxon State Church.
Under their pastor, Martin Stephan, they formed an emigration society with a $55,000 communal fund. 605 members sailed from Bremen in 1835 in five chartered ships for St. Louis by way of New Orleans. One of the ships was lost at sea. Other members joined the group in Missouri and a number of them remained in St. Louis and founded a parish there.
The immigrants bought 4,475 acres of Perry County land with $8,234 from the communal fund. The colony survived the physical hardships of settlement and the spiritual blow of finding Martin Stephan, their pastor, a false leader. After his exile from the colony, the group was led by the great pastor, C.F.W. Walther, founder of the Missouri Synod.
Lutheran Area Links
History Timeline of Lutheran beginnings in Perry Co. (Good!)
Origins, History of LCMS Missouri Synod
Perry County - River Heritage Region - RoseCity.Net
Saxon Lutheran Memorial - LCMS
