Christian Cyclopedia

(Cen. Illinois Syn.) (1867–97; 1901–20). Organized August 1867 (see Illinois, Evangelical Lutheran Synod of, b.). In 1875 Ger. ministers withdrew and organized the Wartburg Syn. (see United Lutheran Church in America, The, Synods of, 30). The Ev. Luth. Syn. of Cen. Illinois was combined with the Ev. Luth. Syn. of S Illinois* 1897–1901 as the Ev. Luth. Syn. of Cen. and S Illinois.* The latter syn. divided again 1901 into the Ev. Luth. Syn. of Cen. Illinois and the Ev. Luth. Syn. of Southern Illinois In 1918 the Cen. Illinois Syn. helped form the ULC In June 1920 it merged with the Ev. Luth. Syn. of N Illinois,* the Ev. Luth. Syn. of S Illinois,* and part of the Chicago* Syn. of the Ev. Luth. Ch. into the Illinois Syn. of the ULC (see United Lutheran Church in America, The, Synods of, 7). Membership at time of merger: 25 pastors, 29 congs., 6,535 communicants. HT