• This is the oldest congregation of Lutherans in Springfield, organized in 1841. The Rev. Ezra Keller was called to establish a Lutheran school of higher learning on the "western frontier", at the same time becoming the pastor of First Lutheran Church. Keller was influenced by "Americanists" among Lutherans who sought to adapt the German church to life in the United States, supporting reform efforts such as anti-slavery, temperance, world peace, mission through social services, and worship services in the English language.
• Wittenberg University began here and all the preparatory, college and seminary classes were held in the ground floor assembly room from 1845 to 1851, when the campus at the present location (one half mile north of here, just across Buck Creek) had its first structure ready for occupancy. The present building, built in 1869, encompasses parts of the north and west walls of the original building.
• Originally named English Evangelical Lutheran Church it became First Lutheran when in the 1880s a group established the Second Lutheran Church at Selma Road and Clifton Avenue. Subsequently other pods of members left to establish mission congregations which became Third, Fourth, Fifth and Calvary Lutheran. Truly a "Mother Church", First also provided leadership and assistance in the establishment of even more congregations in Springfield; Trinity, St. Mark, Grace and Auburn Lutheran Churches. It operated Sunday schools and missions in the east, west and south ends of town which developed into congregations of other Christian denominations.