Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2026 · 69th Convention, Phoenix › Page 95
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 95

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
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Concordia Historical Institute
The Department of Archives and History
of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
concordiahistoricalinstitute.org
Treasuring and Trumpeting the Redeeming Work of Christ
in the Faith and Life of the Missouri Synod
Under our three-year convention theme, Christ Is Risen Indeed
(1 Cor. 15:20–22), Concordia Historical Institute (CHI) reminds the
Synod that its history is a sacred trust—one we are called not only
to preserve, but to joyfully proclaim. Our Lord Jesus Christ has redeemed not only His people, but our history as well. Because of this,
CHI staff and board continue to steward the resources entrusted to
us so that the Institute may continue to serve as the premier provider
of Lutheran historical resources for Synod leadership, districts, congregations, and families. Soli Deo gloria.

A. Our Charge: Active Stewardship of Lutheran Historical and Archival Resources
The roots of CHI reach back to the founding of the LCMS 179
years ago, when the Synod Secretary was tasked with recording the
church’s history and preserving documents and artifacts of lasting
historical value. Officially incorporated as a nonprofit institution in
1927, CHI has continued this mission—retrieving, organizing, preserving, and sharing historical treasures for the benefit of church
and community. Today, CHI serves as a resource for Synod, district,
university, and congregational archives, giving fresh opportunities
for us to rediscover Christ’s merciful hand as we recall major anniversaries related to the Missouri Synod.
As the Synod’s official department of archives and history (Bylaw 3.6.2), CHI curates the largest Lutheran archival collection in
North America. This collection includes documents, publications,
rare books, photographs, audiovisual materials, artifacts, numismatics, and fine art connected to the Reformation and the Lutheran Church in North America. CHI’s primary area of collection encompasses all materials directly related to the history of the Synod,
while its secondary scope includes materials that provide essential
historical context for understanding that 179-year history.
Through these efforts, CHI documents the life of a church body
that, by the mercy and grace of Christ and His Word, has endured
crises, navigated conflict, and continued to grow and flourish in difficult and threatening times.
Over 20,000 linear feet of archival materials—nearly 67 football fields in length—preserved in climate-controlled facilities

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A rapidly expanding collection of historic photographs, film,
audio and video recordings, artifacts (many originating from
the mission field), numismatic pieces, and fine art

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Professional archival and research services that organize,
catalog, digitize, and provide access to more than 4 million
individual items

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Two high-quality museums:
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A permanent Reformation and LCMS history exhibit at
the LCMS International Center in Kirkwood, Missouri

Rotating history exhibits in the exhibition hall in the
CHI building on the campus of Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis

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The 80-page, illustrated Concordia Historical Institute
Quarterly (CHIQ), the longest-running journal of Lutheran
history in North America, now in its 99th year

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A redesigned, smartphone-friendly website with access to
the CHI catalogs and offering an expanding array of downloadable historical resources

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An annual awards program—now in its 53rd year—recognizing excellence in publishing Lutheran historical scholarship

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A newly launched CHI Monograph Series, making significant research in historical topics available in English and
other languages

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Hill of Peace Lutheran Memorial in Friedenberg, Missouri—a historic touchstone of 19th-century Lutheran faith and
life

B. Major Accomplishments Over the Last
Triennium
B.1. Developed and Shared Resources to Observe/
Commemorate Synod-Related Anniversaries
Over the past three years, CHI has produced and shared a wide
range of resources to commemorate key anniversaries in Synod history, including the following:
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Fall 2021: A museum exhibit marking the 500th anniversary
of the first numismatic portrait of Martin Luther, featuring
more than 70 artistic portrayals of Luther, Katharina von
Bora, Philip Melanchthon, and Frederick the Wise

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Spring 2022: The 175th anniversary of the LCMS, observed
through a special full-color CHIQ issue, a commemorative
bronze medal, 49 downloadable biographies, new publications, and Walther Roundtable XXXIII

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Fall 2022: Online museum exhibit commemorating the
500th anniversary of Martin Chemnitz’s birth

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2022–2023: Multiple CHIQ essays and issues recognizing
LCMS World Relief and Human Care, Deaf Ministry, the
Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference, and the 1973
New Orleans convention

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2024: Extensive observance of the 50th anniversary of the
1974 Concordia Seminary walkout, including bibliographies, special issues, and a major scholarly publication

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2024–2026: Commemorations of KFUO Radio, missionary
journeys, global mission work, the Wisconsin Evangelical
Lutheran Synod, and Lutheran history in the United States

Currently, CHI actively manages the following:
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CHI is preparing to commemorate upcoming ethnic ministry
and mission anniversaries in Brazil, Latin America, and Japan in
the next three years, supported by museum exhibits, multilingual
publications, and special presentations.

B.2. Expansion and Greater Accessibility of CHI’s
Archival Collection
CHI has continued to prioritize the retrieval and preservation of
records from closed Synod congregations, institutions, and church
leaders. Significant progress includes the processing of archival
2026 Convention Workbook