The Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia is the Northeast Regional Archives (Region 7) for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). We are part of a network of nine regional archives and a national level (churchwide) archives in the ELCA. Our service area stretches from southeastern Pennsylvania to Maine, including the synods of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Northeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Upstate New York, Metropolitan New York City, and New England, as well as the non-geographical Slovak-Zion Synod.
Browse Collections
Whether you are researching your family tree or a specific historical topic we are happy to help. We house records of Lutheran congregations from southeastern Pennsylvania up to Maine, personal papers of Lutheran figures, and organization records of Lutheran synods and church bodies.
Research & Visit
We are open to visitors by advanced appointment only. Hours of research are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please contact archivist@lacphila.org to schedule an appointment.
If you are not able to visit us in person our Archives staff can perform research on your behalf.
Submit a Request
Please submit your request through our Research Request form and include a general summary of what you are researching. Please be as specific as possible with the nature of your request and include what types of records you are interested in if possible.
Newsletter
The Archives Advocate is our biannual newsletter sent directly to your home and is free to all subscribers. To subscribe to our newsletter, please email director@lacphila.org with your name and address.
Online Shop
Consider supporting the Archives by purchasing a new or used book. All proceeds directly support our efforts to preserve Lutheran history.