Oct 31, 2011 Print This Article

Walther Bicentennial Celebration Draws Many Guests

On October 25, 2011, Concordia Seminary celebrated the 200th birthday of Dr. C.F.W. Walther, one of the founders of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and its first president, and two-time president and a professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Throughout the day, many events were scheduled to honor his legacy.

Concordia Seminary invited living descendants of C.F.W. Walther to join the celebration. The following relatives attended:

  • Edna Walther Wolf (great granddaughter)
  • Terry Wolf (great great grandson)
  • Joan Hocker (great great granddaughter) and Jim (spouse)
  • Rev. Richard W. Holz (great great grandson) and Eunice (spouse)
  • Deborah Walther Aubochon (great great granddaughter)
  • Sandra Walther (great great granddaughter) and Walt E. Busch (spouse)

Approximately 25 people went on the bus tour that went to Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in the Soulard neighborhood of St. Louis and the Walther Mausoleum in Concordia Cemetery. That afternoon, 150 people viewed the “Walther” film, produced by Concordia Seminary, in Werner Auditorium.

The evening program, attended by approximately 130 people, included presentations by Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president of Concordia Seminary, and Rev. Matthew Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. In addition, the Concordia Seminary Chorus sang two hymns associated with Dr. Walther in German and in English.

For more information, please contact Continuing Education and Parish Services at 314-505-7486 or [email protected].


Dr. Walther’s descendants who attended the celebration, from left to right: Joan Hocker, Rev. Richard Holz, Terry Wolf, Deborah Walther Aubochon, Sandra Walther, Walt Busch, Edna Walther Wolf, and Dr. Dale A. Meyer.