From its earliest beginnings in 1893 till its final meeting in 1968, the Walther League was a major force and rite of passage in Lutheran life. This juggernaut youth organization—named for LCMS founding President C.F.W. Walther—brought young adults together for worship, education, service, recreation and fellowship. It also forged new generations of Lutheran leaders and served as the unofficial “marriage bureau” of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, bringing untold numbers of marriage-minded young people together in holy matrimony.

In this edition of Story Time with Sarah, Sarah explores the rise and fall of the Walther League, spotlighting the many people and organizations—Walter A. Maier, the We Raise Foundation, and the National Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Association among them—who trace their roots back to this energetic (if occasionally unorthodox) association of Lutheran young people.

To learn more, check out Jon Pahl’s book Hopes and Dreams of All: The International Walther League and Lutheran Youth in American Culture, 1893-1993.

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