The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America resulted from a union of three North American Lutheran church bodies: The American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and the Lutheran Church in America. The three churches agreed to unite in 1982. The ELCA actually began operating on January 1, 1988.

• St. Paul’s is one of the 112 congregations that make up the TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod. 
• The TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod is one of the synods that make up the ELCA. 
• Currently the ELCA is approximately 4.2 million strong in membership

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 
(established in 1943)
Led by Pastor Nancy Simpson

TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod 
of the ELCA
Led by Bishop Mike Rinehart 
(as of 9/29/07)

Evangelical Lutheran Church 
in America (ELCA)
Led by Bishop Elizabeth Eaton 

TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod

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