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Archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod

The Archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod collects and maintains documents connected with the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) and its predecessor body, the Synod for the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (Norwegian Synod).

Announcing the release of Evangelical Lutheran Synod: A Historical Register, 1918–2023—a captivating historical record now ready for your shelves. Dive into the past and discover a world waiting to be explored! This 312-page book documents the legacy of Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) congregations, pastors, and educators from 1918 through 2023.

View a sample here or download the bulletin insert here (2 per page printable here).

$30 plus shipping. Available for purchase through www.lulu.com/spotlight/elsbooks/

View/download list of errata.

The index to the collection is created to describe the holdings to the subseries level (in effect, to the “box level”), although there are few exceptions where greater detail has been used. For information on specific congregations, pastors, or individuals, please contact the archives staff directly.

Indices

Synod Reports and Convention Essays

Suggested Retention Guidelines for Congregations and the Synod

Guide for Planning Your Congregation’s Anniversary

The Archives is located on the first floor of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary; 6 Browns Court; Mankato, Minnesota. The Archives is open by appointment only. Access to archival materials is granted through the archivist and research materials must remain in the archives. Contact us through this link: http://els.org/contact-us.