South Dakota District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

The South Dakota District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS), and comprises the state of South Dakota; one congregation in the state is in the North Dakota District. The South Dakota District includes approximately 108 congregations and missions, subdivided into 8 circuits, as well as 16 preschools, 4 elementary schools and 1 high school. Baptized membership in district congregations is over 23,000.

The South Dakota District was formed in 1906 out of the Minnesota and Dakota District, with the rest of the district continuing to use that name until 1910. District offices are located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Delegates from each congregation meet in convention every three years to elect the district president, vice presidents, circuit visitors, a board of directors, and other officers.

Presidents Rev. August Frederick Breihan, 1906–1912 Rev. Johann Dietrich Ehlen, 1912–1918 Rev. Ernst Gottlieb Jehn, 1918–1921 Rev. Friedrich W. Leyhe, 1921–1936 Rev. Walter Nitschke, 1936–1951 Rev. Philip H. Mueller, 1951–1960 Rev. Elmer O. Luessenhop, 1960–1968 Rev. Leonard Eberhard, 1968–1970 Rev. Arthur J. Crosmer, 1970–1978 Rev. Paul G. Wendling, 1978–1988 Rev. Raymond L. Hartwig, 1988–1998 Rev. Vernon L. Schindler, 1998–2006 Rev. Dale L. Sattgast, 2006–2015 Rev. Scott Sailer, 2015–2025 Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher, 2025-present

References

External links South Dakota District web site LCMS: South Dakota District LCMS Congregation Directory Synodal-Bericht des Minnesota und Dakota Distrikts der Deutschen Evang.-Luth. Synode von Missouri, Ohio und Andern Staaten (1882-1889) Synodal-Bericht des Minnesota und Dakota Distrikts der Deutschen Evang.-Luth. Synode von Missouri, Ohio und Andern Staaten (1891-1910)