A Nearly Forgotten Founder of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod: The Life and Work of Pastor and Teacher Johann Friedrich Buenger

Abstract

Daniel Burgess’s essay presents a detailed biography of Johann Friedrich Buenger, a pivotal yet often overlooked founder of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Born in 1810 in Saxony, Buenger was shaped by a lineage of faithful pastors and influenced by both Pietism and Lutheran orthodoxy. He joined the Saxon immigration to America in 1839, overcoming legal and logistical challenges. In Perry County, Missouri, Buenger helped establish the colony’s first school and later served as pastor and teacher in St. Louis, notably at Trinity and Immanuel congregations. His ministry spanned education, pastoral care, charitable work, and leadership in the Western District. Buenger’s legacy includes founding youth societies, supporting seminary students, and helping establish Lutheran Hospital. Through anecdotes and historical records, Burgess portrays Buenger as a tireless servant of Christ whose contributions to Lutheran education and mission deserve renewed recognition. —Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)