The Mid-South District was formed in June of 1966 as a separate district of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod following the division of the Synod’s Western District. Delegates of the former Western District met at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis to divide the entity into two separate districts: the Missouri District (comprised of the state of Missouri) and the Mid-South District (comprised of Arkansas, Tennessee and southwestern Kentucky). The Mid-South District began with 77 congregations and a handful of Lutheran school ministries. Fifty years later, it includes 123 congregations, 11 schools and 25 early childhood centers.
The District’s current officers were installed at the 2015 convention in Memphis: (L to R) Rev. Paul Hass, Rev. Jim Walter, Pres. Roger Paavola, Rev. Charles Neugebauer and Rev. Richard Elseroad.
The Mid-South District’s first officers were installed in June of 1966: (L to R) Rev. Everett Grese, Rev. Norman Groteluschen and Pres. W. E. Griesse
From multi-media presentations to electronic voting, evolving technology has greatly enhanced our District Conventions. This is a look at the 2015 event.
A shot of the 1976 District Convention, held at Memphis State University.
Many across the District have fond memories of the “Massey Road office” in Memphis. A former home, the location served as a warm and welcoming Mid-South District Office for over 20 years (1976-1998).
The current District Office was completed in 2001, thanks to a generous gift from the late Mickey Coleman in memory of his mother, Alma.
