Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther

Theologian and founder of the LCMS

Saxony, Germany

About Carl

Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther was a German theologian and pastor who emigrated to the United States in 1839. He served as pastor of several congregations in St. Louis and founded Concordia Seminary. Walther was instrumental in the formation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and served as its president from 1847 to 1850 and again from 1864 to 1878. He was a key figure in promoting Confessional Lutheranism in the United States.