First English Lutheran Church
N 40° 45.510 W 082° 31.071
17T E 371879 N 4513056
The First English Lutheran Church traces its origin to 1832 when fifteen members, under the leadership of twenty-six year old Rev. Francis J. Ruth, established the First Lutheran Church.
Waymark Code: WM2RVE
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 12/15/2007
Views: 19
From the church's website (
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The First English Lutheran Church traces its origin to 1832 when fifteen members, under the leadership of twenty-six year old Rev. Francis J. Ruth, established the First Lutheran Church. In 1849 the English speaking and German speaking members separated into two distinct congregations with each calling a pastor of its own. The German speaking members went on to form what later became St. Paul's Lutheran Church, while the English speaking members gathered together as the First English Lutheran Church on May 4, 1850.
The cornerstone of the present facility at 53 Park Avenue West was laid in September of 1891 and the church was formally dedicated three years later on October 21, 1894. During that era, part of the congregation left and established St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Since then, several other building additions and modernization projects have been completed. At one time, First English was recognized as the largest Protestant church in Ohio and one of the largest Lutheran churches in the United States. This rich heritage strengthens our sense of mission as we move forward in further spreading Christ's message of love and peace throughout Richland County in this 21st century.