Dr. Walther was one of the founders of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod and served as its first president as well as president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He was also "founding Editor of both Der Lutheraner (The Lutheran) and Lehre und Wehre (Doctrine and Defense), two important periodicals for promoting confessional Lutheranism in nineteenth century America and around the world. After studying theology at the University of Leipzig, Walther was ordained and became pastor of the state Lutheran church in Braeunsdorf, Saxony, in 1837. Within two years, however, he had resigned in order to follow Martin Stephan to America where he resumed his ministry in Perry County, Missouri, in 1839. By 1841, he was serving in St. Louis. Over the years, his one congregation grew to four and Walther took on several assistants, but he remained pastor until his death in 1887." Sources: 1) LC Control Number: n 79068354 2) http://www.lifeoftheworld.com/lotw/07-04/07-04-03.php