Schmid, Friedrich, 1807-1883.

Lutheran clergy in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

From the description of Friedrich Schmid notebook, 1830-1831. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 80045357

Lutheran clergyman in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

From the description of Friedrich, Schmid church records, 1833-1875 [microform]. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 82530337

Pioneer Lutheran pastor in southeastern Michigan.

From the description of [Books from the library of Friedrich Schmid]. [1---] (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 131122733

Friedrich Schmid (sometimes identified as Frederick) was born on September 6, 1807 in Germany and was ordained a Lutheran minister on April 10, 1833 upon completion of his studies at the Basel Mission House. German immigrants in Washtenaw County had previously requested a pastor from the Basel Mission Society and so Schmid was sent to America, arriving in Ann Arbor on August 20, 1833 and preaching his first sermon the same week. By November 3 he had established the territory's first Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Scio Township (which later became Salem Lutheran Church). As the congregation grew, the original log cabin church was replaced by a frame building, partially funded by supporters in Stuttgart, Germany. Schmid married Louise Mann, a fellow immigrant from Germany, on September 4, 1834 and the couple had six sons and six daughters.

Identified as the first German Lutheran pastor in Michigan, Schmid traveled around the territory (and then state) extensively, organizing congregations and founding 20 churches in Monroe, Ypsilanti, Plymouth, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Sebewaing and other places. Although Schmid's work took him across the state and led him to found the Michigan Synod and serve as its president, he retained a strong interest in the Lutheran community around Ann Arbor. He resigned as pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in 1867, but continued as Pastor of Bethlehem Church in Ann Arbor until 1871. The question of a new location for the Bethlehem Church split the congregation in 1875. A number of the members, including Reverend Schmid, withdrew from the Bethlehem Church and organized the Zion Lutheran Church. Schmid died in Ann Arbor on August 30, 1883, a week shy of his seventy-sixth birthday; he was was survived by Louise, who passed away on March 10, 1899.

From the guide to the Friedrich Schmid church records, 1833-1875, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)