Luster, Norway When Christianity arrived in Scandinavia, it found a land rich in lumber and people highly skilled in carpentry and woodworking. When the first churches began springing up throughout the Scandinavian countryside, the people adopted the local styles and created one of the most unique forms of Christian architecture: the stave church. Throughout the Middle … [Read more...]
REFORMATION MEMORIAL
Worms, Germany While Wittenberg was the place where Martin Luther inadvertently set the stage for the Reformation movement, Worms is where he formally threw down the gauntlet to the religious authorities of the day. Two years after first professing his views in writing on the door of the Castle Church, Luther formally challenged the Papacy outright at the Diet of Worms. … [Read more...]
WITTENBERG CASTLE CHURCH
Wittenberg, Germany The Protestant Reformation went through numerous fits and starts before finally gaining traction in the City of Wittenberg. It is ironic that Protestantism found its first true success in the very heart of the Papal-supported Holy Roman Empire, although the widespread decentralization of Imperial power in Central Europe perhaps made it the logical place … [Read more...]
LUTHERAN MUSEUMS
St. Louis, Missouri The Lutheran Church has long been cognizant of its history, and in recent decades museums dedicated to Lutheran religion and culture have begun to spring up around the country. Thanks to the presence of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod headquarters in St. Louis, some of the best Lutheran museum sites can be found in the area of east-central Missouri. … [Read more...]
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH
Cleveland, Ohio Zion Lutheran Church is an historic church on the east side of Cleveland. Aside from being home to a venerable congregation that dates back to the early 19th century, Zion Lutheran has a peculiar claim to fame among America’s churches. According to both tradition and historical records, it was the first church in the United States to display a fully … [Read more...]
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
Wilmington, Delaware The Holy Trinity Church of Wilmington, also known as the Old Swedes Church, is the oldest Lutheran-built church still standing in the United States. It may well also be the oldest American church in continuous use, or at least may be the oldest church still used as a church. Although acquired by the Episcopal denomination in the late 18th century, it … [Read more...]
