Who We Are

Experience Jesus’ welcome. Share God’s love.

We welcome you to experience God’s love in this dynamic, multi-generational, spiritual community. First Lutheran Church, rooted in God’s amazing grace, is a welcoming community of worship, witness, growth, giving, and service to God and God’s people. Together, let’s praise God, follow Jesus, and love our neighbor.

Take the next step on your faith journey with us.

We’ll walk with you and follow Jesus together. Join us for worship. Meet with a pastor. Attend a bible study or small group. Serve with us in the community. Bring kids (yours and your neighbor’s) to one of our children’s and youth ministries. Let’s do this together.

We believe God loves you and the whole world.

We trust and share the good news of God in Jesus Christ. This is the good news: God forgives us and renews our lives, not because we’re holy and perfect, but simply, profoundly because God graciously loves us.

First Lutheran Church is part of a world-wide, historic group of Christians who trace our heritage through Martin Luther. With the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), we share the saving, healing, liberating love of God for you and the world.

We Share Generations of Grace

We live and worship on land that has been home to the Ioway, Meskwaki, and Dakota peoples for generations. From 1840-1848, the Ho-Chunk were forcibly moved here and tended this land. The town of Decorah and Winneshiek County are named after Ho-Chunk leaders. We honor their witness and seek truth and healing with Indigenous communities.

First Lutheran Church was founded in Decorah during the US Civil War in 1863, initially as a ministry of Luther College. Learn more about our congregation’s history. 

Across the generations, First Lutheran Church generously has supported social ministries here and around the world like Aase Haugen Senior Services, the Decorah Community Food Pantry, Lutheran Services in Iowa, Lutherans Restoring Creation, Global Refuge, and Lutheran World Relief.

Reconciling in Christ Congregation

Rooted in the Good News of Jesus Christ, First Lutheran Church welcomes people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions into the life and leadership of our congregation. We accompany LGBTQ+ persons and their families in their daily lives and advocate with them in civil society. Our sanctuary and pastors are available for same-gender weddings.

We confess that we are still captive to the sins of homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and racism. We pray to God and follow Jesus as we work for racial equity, gender justice, and a beloved community for all. Learn more from our national ministry partner, ReconcilingWorks.