From Merger to Merger: History of the Southern District of The ALC, 1961-87, a history of the Southern District of The American Lutheran Church, is now available, authored by a number of folks active in the former judicatory. The Rev. Malcolm Hoffman, Ruth Bohls Kelling, and the Rev. Bob Pfennig wrote about the three decades of the Southern District.
Kelling was joined by Thomas Engler, the Rev. Hilmer Krause, and Chris Schultz in penning essays recalling the role of the pastor’s spouse, the music, the preaching, and the architecture of the period. The 200-page book also includes a 40-page photo gallery edited by the Rev. Luther Oelke, archivist for the Region 4-South Archives.
The Southern District included the states of Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana and two congregation in New Mexico. The American Lutheran Church was one of three church bodies that became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1988.
To obtain a copy of the first edition, please send a donation of $35 to ELCA Region 4-South Archives, 1090 Oestreich Drive, Seguin, TX, 78155, payable to Southwestern Texas Synod. Or, save postage by picking up a copy at the Lutheran Ministry Center in person from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for $30. No phone or e-mail orders, please.