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This week in Christian history: Irish saint dies, first American Lutheran pastor ordained, Anastasius becomes pope

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Twitter

Justus Falckner ordained – Nov. 24, 1703

Justus Falckner (1672-1723), a German immigrant to North America who would become the first Lutheran pastor ordained in what became the United States.
Justus Falckner (1672-1723), a German immigrant to North America who would become the first Lutheran pastor ordained in what became the United States. | Screengrab: staugustines.house

This week marks the anniversary of when Justus Falckner, a German immigrant to colonial America, became the first Lutheran pastor ordained in what would become the United States.

Falckner had initially immigrated to America as a surveyor and had reportedly been hesitant to become an ordained minister, but was convinced to do so by a Swedish Lutheran clergyman.

Falckner would be ordained by three Swedish church leaders in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the 31-year-old new pastor soon overseeing a Dutch Lutheran congregation.

“More than just the pastor of a single church, he sailed up and down the Hudson River visiting his extensive parish. His travels took him through New York, New Jersey, and even into Pennsylvania as a missionary and a pastor, teaching, organizing and baptizing,” noted Christianity.com.

“His converts included blacks and native Americans. In addition to this missionary work, he prepared a textbook on Christian doctrine and wrote hymns.”

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