Our History

The story of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church is one of persistence and growth despite frequent setbacks.  It began in 1855 as a mission church of the Evangelical Lutheran Society, affiliated with the General Synod of the US.  The congregation of 28 people comprised both German and English speakers, but the German speakers left the group nearly two years later.  The remaining English speakers managed to build their first church at the corner of Market and Dubuque (our present location) in 1858, and managed to persist even after the Board of Home Missions of the General Synod cut off support to the struggling church in 1862.

In 1873, the church asked the Board of Missions to renew their support, which they did, and the church focused on growing and serving.  By 1876, membership had grown to 40, they organized a missionary society, and purchased the adjacent lot.  The new church built on that lot was called First Lutheran Church and was dedicated on Nov 18, 1894.  Within a year, the congregation grew to over 100 and hosted the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Iowa and the Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Society.

The church, by this time called First English Lutheran, continued to grow its membership, its facilities, and its impact.  By 1951 there were about 500 members and the church hosted the national convention of the Luther League of America, with over 1,200 young people attending from across the country. 

In 1956, the Rev Roy Wingate was called as pastor, and he led the congregation for 37 years.  The church continued to grow in numbers and in its education and music programs.  By 1959, it was time to build a new church again and a capital campaign was started.  But before the campaign was finished and building could start, an arsonist set fire to the existing church on the morning of April 1, 1962.  It was another setback, but the church was not deterred.  The Englert Theater served as the worship space for nearly 2 years, while the new church was being built, and during that time the name was changed to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.  The new (present) building was dedicated on Feb 16, 1964. 

Gloria Dei continued to grow in numbers and in influence.  With over 1,000 members, Gloria Dei was a leading church in Iowa City, and was involved in the ecumenical movement of the 1960s.  Dr. George Forell, UI religion professor and Gloria Dei member, spoke at Iowa City’s first ecumenical service in May 1969, to a gathering of more than 9,000 people from 19 local churches.

In the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Gloria Dei continued the pattern of growth, leadership, and service.  Our location at the corner of Market and Dubuque Streets is close to several of the University of Iowa dorms, so Lutheran Campus Ministry has been a focus of our ministry for many years.