History

 

Germans have been in Britain for centuries. Already in the past, they had the desire to hold services and schools in their language. The oldest German-speaking Protestant church was founded in London in 1669; further church openings soon followed. Several German Protestant communities emerged outside of London in the 19th century.

Before the Second World War, people from Germany, Austria and the Sudetenland fled to Great Britain from the Nazi regime. After the Second World War German prisoners of war remained in Great Britain. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, German wives of British soldiers and female workers came to Great Britain. This immigration led to the formation of further German-speaking congregations.

These congregations are united in the Synod. This Synod has grown gradually. It was founded in 1955 as the "Lutheran Synod in the United Kingdom". At that time, several Reformed and United communities did not join the "Lutheran Synod". But in 1970 they also joined the Synod.

Through the contractual connection to the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) , most of the full-time pastors are sent by the EKD to work in the UK and they become employees of the Synod. The Synod also employs locally, however In addition to the few full-time employees, there are numerous volunteers engaged for the Synod. They hold services, visit people in the congregations, maintain and manage the buildings, and in some cases lead the congregations. The Synod promotes the work of volunteers.

Representatives of all Parochial Areas and the full-time officials meet once a year for the synodal meeting. In between, the Synod is led by the Synod Council.