Evangelical Lutheran Church In America

— Our Formation

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was formed in 1988 by the merger of three separate and well-established North American church bodies: the American Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches.

Beginning on January 1, 1988, these churches, with shared beliefs and missions, officially formed the ELCA. Almost four decades later, this energized church is composed of 3.7 million baptized members and nearly 8,400 congregations across the U.S. and the Caribbean. Today, the ELCA reflects the rich and diverse heritage of the people it serves.

— Our Roots

To understand our heritage fully, we trace our roots back through the mid-17th century, when early Lutherans came to America from Europe, settling in the Virgin Islands and the area that we now know as New York.

— Our Faith

Even before that, Martin Luther sought reform for the church in the 16th century, laying the framework for our beliefs. As the ELCA, we believe we are freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor.

— Welcome to the New Jersey Synod of ELCA

The New Jersey Synod is a geographical grouping of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations that share the mission and ministry of the Church in the New Jersey territory. It is one of 65 synods in the ELCA.

The NJ Synod comprises 144 congregations that include over 45,000 baptized members.