The Diary of Immanuel Albrecht: January – May, 1935

Abstract

This diary chronicles Immanuel Albrecht’s 1935 missionary journey from Minnesota to Southeastern Nigeria, undertaken with Otto Boecler and Dr. Henry Nau under the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference. Amid global upheaval—the Great Depression and Nazi rise—the team responded to a call from Nigerian congregations seeking doctrinal integrity and pastoral training. The diary details transatlantic travel, cultural encounters, theological reflections, and extensive engagement with African communities. Albrecht records sermons, devotions, health challenges, and interactions with colonial officials, missionaries, and native leaders. The narrative offers rich insight into early Lutheran mission strategy, colonial dynamics, and indigenous religious life. Transcribed faithfully by Michael J. Weigand in 2001, with annotations from family and seminary archives, this document is a valuable historical and theological resource. Abstract generated with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).