A Brief History of St. Michael's

Several million immigrants from Germany came to the United States in the 19th century. Some came looking for economic opportunity and political freedom. Others came to escape religious persecution and the seemingly endless wars that raged on the European continent. Many of these immigrants settled in the Great Lakes and Midwest, which was part of the American frontier. 

Friedrich Wyneken was a Lutheran pastor who came to the United States in 1838. He wrote letters to his friends and colleagues back in Germany lamenting the fact that many of these immigrants had no churches nearby. Wyneken pleaded for Christians back in Germany to send pastors to start churches in order to serve the people living here.

A pastor named Wilhelm Loehe who lived in the Franconian area of Germany responded to this call for help. He organized groups of pastors and lay people to come to the Saginaw Valley and start several colonies. There were four of them: Frankenmuth, Frankentrost, Frankenlust, and Frankenhilf, which later was called "Richville." 

Life was difficult for the early settlers, but gradually they cleared farmland and made a living. All four colonies started churches. St. Michael's Lutheran Church was founded in 1851. In the later part of the 19th century more and more people moved to the area to farm, work, and start small businesses. As the 20th century progressed the congregation grew. In 1951 St. Michael's built a new school, and in 1971 the congregation dedicated the current church building where we now worship. 

We give thanks to God that He has richly blessed our church, school, and child care over the years. We look forward to giving praise to our Savior Jesus Christ in 2026 as we celebrate our 175th anniversary!