Iowa District East (LCMS)
The Iowa District East is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), and covers the eastern half of the state of Iowa; the rest of the state forms the Iowa District West. The Iowa District East includes approximately 119 congregations and missions, subdivided into 12 circuits, as well as 32 preschools, 9 elementary schools and 1 high school. Baptized membership in district congregations is over 43,000.
The Iowa District East was formed in 1936 when the Iowa District (created in 1879) was divided in half. District offices are located in Marion, Iowa. Delegates from each congregation meet in convention every three years to elect the district president, vice presidents, circuit counselors, a board of directors, and other officers. The Rev. Brian S. Saunders was elected district president in June 2009. The 37th Regular Convention was held June 26–27, 2009 in Cedar Rapids, IA with the theme of "Proclaiming Jesus Christ in your Fields of Opportunity," based on Luke 24:46-47. The 38th Regular Convention was held June 29–30, 2012 in Cedar Rapids, IA with the theme "Witness, Mercy, Life Together". . The 39th Regular Convention was held June 26–27, 2015 in Cedar Rapids, IA with the theme "Witness, Mercy, Life Together - Mission: The Church in Motion".
Presidents
- Rev. Herman A. Harms, 1936–38
- Rev. Carl J. H. Heffe, 1938–49
- Rev. Walter D. Oetting, 1949–63
- Rev. Fred H. Ilten, 1963–70
- Rev. John C. Zimmermann, 1970–82
- Rev. Alvin L. Barry, 1982–92
- Rev. Curtis R. Moermond, 1992–2000
- Rev. Gary M. Arp, 2000–2009
- Rev. Brian S. Saunders 2009–Present
Oldest congregations
- 1854 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Lacona, Iowa
- 1855 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Clinton, Iowa
- 1855 - Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, Sherrill, Iowa
- 1856 - Zion Lutheran Church, Wilton, Iowa
- 1859 - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Luzerne, Iowa
- 1860 - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wellman, Iowa
- 1864 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Homestead, Iowa
- 1864 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Monticello, Iowa
- 1865 - Saint John Lutheran Church, State Center, Iowa
- 1865 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Dubuque, Iowa
- 1868 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Fairbank, Iowa
- 1868 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Victor, Iowa
- 1869 - Saint Stephen's Lutheran Church, Atkins, Iowa
- 1870 - Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Riceville, Iowa
- 1870 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa
- 1870 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowden, Iowa
- 1870 - Trinity Lutheran Church of Dillion, Marshalltown, Iowa
- 1871 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Mound, Iowa
- 1871 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Newhall, Iowa
- 1871 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Waverly, Iowa
Largest congregations
- Membership totals include all baptized members and are according to the LCMS website.
- 2273 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa
- 1893 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- 1379 - Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Iowa City, Iowa
- 1043 - Our Savior Lutheran Church, Bettendorf, Iowa
- 1042 - Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt, Iowa
- 1034 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Waterloo, Iowa
- 922 - Risen Christ Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa
- 900 - Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Dubuque, Iowa
- 886 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Newhall, Iowa
- 873 - Bethany Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- 815 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Williamsburg, Iowa
- 732 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Marengo, Iowa
- 672 - King Of Kings Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- 672 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Clinton, Iowa
- 659 - Saint John Lutheran Church, Waverly, Iowa