The Lutherans in Lakewood are Christians who worship in eight different houses of worship within the city. These congregations belong to two national organizations: the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Lutherans are strong in believing in the sovereignty of the local congregation to govern its own affairs. Lutherans accept the Bible as God's Word -- the true source of Christian love, guidance, and doctrine. They believe that God's saving grace comes to the individual through the Word and the two sacraments, Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. They regard as the central doctrine of the Christian faith the teaching that a person is saved by God's grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ. They trace the beginning of the Lutheran Church to the Reformation of the 16th century in Germany and the work of Martin Luther. There are 8 million Lutherans living in the United States and 70 million in the world.

Reverend George M. Pohlod

Faith Lutheran Church
16511 Hilliard Road
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 226-6500

Faith Lutheran Church began as a mission congregation during the summer of 1924. Services were first held in a storeroom next to Scherzer’s Bakery on Madison Avenue. The congregation grew, and on Sunday, October 13, 1924, it resolved to adopt a constitution and chose the name Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church. During the summer of 1925, several lots were purchased on the corner of Hilliard Road and Woodward Avenue. The first unit, a basement, had a seating capacity of 230 people and was dedicated February 21, 1926. The next unit was dedicated on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1932, providing seating capacity for 500. An additional educational unit and chapel were dedicated October 6, 1957. Faith Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Gethsemane Lutheran Church
14560 Madison Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio  44107
(216) 521-0434

Gethsemane Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. The church was organized by predominantly Slovak people in 1948, but has grown to the present-day congregation of 300 families of many backgrounds. A full schedule of traditional and contemporary services is offered on Sunday mornings, including an educational hour for all ages. There is also an ongoing series of home Bible studies, service and mission projects, and activities designed for youth, seniors and women. Gethsemane is the sole supporting congregation of Lakewood Lutheran School (LLS) at 15501 Detroit Avenue, which provides a full-day, Christ-centered education for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 8. Currently, students from 19 area churches attend LLS. Gethsemane also hosts monthly community meals (every third Thursday) and an annual outdoor festival for the community, typically in August. Our pastor, Rev. Thomas A. Lampella, has served with us since 2001. Worship services and activities are open to all.

Pentecost Lutheran Church
13303 Madison Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio  44107
(216) 221-6265

Located west of Madison Park at Clarence, Pentecost Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized on Pentecost Sunday, May 1918, as a community and family congregation for Slovak people. Over the years it retained its family orientation and in 1979 marked the return to planned community ministry with a Christian preschool. Our building complex was constructed in four stages from 1921-68. The initial worship/education unit, dedicated in 1922, is now remodeled for preschool and a community/choir parlor. The present worship area was dedicated in September 1952. Confirmation pictures and sports trophies in the Heritage Room symbolize the ministry with youth in each decade.

Pilgrim / St. Paul Lutheran Church
14224 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(216) 521-8842
chair lift available

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, located at Detroit and Manor Park Avenues, celebrated its 90th anniversary in February 2004. Founded in 1913 and incorporated in 1914, the first services were held at Church of the Redeemer, which was located at Detroit and Andrews Avenues. Pilgrim has been a Lakewood landmark since the superstructure was constructed in 1922; it was extensively renovated in 1952. Many of the stained glass windows of the church were created by R. Toland Wright and donated by members of the congregation. The lancet windows over the Altar are considered to be one of Wright's masterpieces. Since June 2004, worship services have been held jointly with Saint Paul Lutheran Church of Lakewood -- thus beginning a multi-faceted ministry of worship services, Bible study, Sunday school, children's choir, stewardship, music and social activities.

St. Paul Lutheran Church
15501 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio  44107
(216) 521-5601
chair lift available

Saint Paul Lutheran Church began as a mission congregation founded by Saint Luke Lutheran Church in Cleveland on March 29, 1903; was incorporated on February 23, 1905; and the first church was dedicated on June 26, 1904. Reverend Fred R. Zucker was called upon to serve and was installed on August 20, 1905. Pastor Zucker opened what is now called Lakewood Lutheran School on September 11, 1905. For the first two years, Pastor Zucker served as pastor and teacher. As the school and congregation grew, W.G. Niermann became the first full-time teacher in 1907. Under the third pastor, John H. Meyer, who served from 1913 until he retired in 1953, Sunday services were held alternately in German and English. In 1915, plans were underway for a new church and land was purchased at the corner of Detroit and Arthur Ave. On April 22, 1917, the current church was dedicated. To honor their 50th anniversary, the congregants agreed to extensive remodeling plans. On May 20, 1956, the newly expanded church was rededicated.

Ss. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church
13030 Madison Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio  44107
(216) 221-7286
ramp access available

The time was 1901, the place Quail and Thrush Avenues: Saints Peter & Paul Lutheran Church is born. In 1927, our present church was dedicated on the corners of Madison and Grace Avenues, where we have kept growing. The world around us was changing and, to keep pace, in 1935 English worship services and a Sunday school for the young began. How things have changed! Up until 1940, Slovak was the primary language and most attended that service. We still have Slovak services twice a month. Another change that took place was that women were given the vote and could hold office in the 1970s.

Trinity Lutheran Church
16400 Detroit Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio  44107
(216) 226-8087
chair lift available

The church came into existence on January 7,1912, when the Rev. Ralph White met in a rented chapel on Andrews Avenue with 26 charter members to form the Lakewood English Evangelical Church. On March 4, 1913, the congregation purchased the present lot and erected the first portable chapel in the Cleveland area. After April 20, 1921, the name of the church was changed to Trinity Lutheran Church. The present main building was completed on January 8, 1922, and the parish house, or annex, on September 13, 1953.

Trinity Lutheran Church is one of two "Reconciling in Christ" congregations in the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As an RIC congregation, Trinity welcomes people of all ethnicities, sexual orientations, and backgrounds. Trinity is a community-oriented congregation and was institutional in developing The Chat Room, Lakewood's teen drop-in center (in 2000). Trinity also sponsors "Peace Camp" each summer for children in grades K-5. "Peace Camp" offers children skill-building in negotiating conflicts, dealing with bullies, and celebrating diversity. Trinity is among the Community Meal providers offering a free meal the first Monday of each month, at 6:00 p.m. The congregation has also been instrumental in the newly organizing Ecumenical Middle School Youth Group that meets monthly. Trinity's pastor, the Reverend Paula Maeder Connor, has served since 1990.

United Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cleveland
1385 Andrews Avenue
Lakewood, Ohio  44107
(216) 228-0396

The United Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church was formed in 1963 when two congregations of Latvian descent merged. The membership consists of Latvian Americans, most of whom came to this country after World War II. Their services of worship are held in the Latvian language, except for occasional baptisms, marriage services, and funerals, at which English is used. The congregation operates a Latvian Church School. Besides religious instruction, Latvian language, literature, history, geography, and cultural heritage are also taught. The church building was purchased in 1963 from the First New Jerusalem Church of Lakewood, a Swedenborgian congregation. The church proper was built in 1906; the education wing in 1972.