Leander Zimmerman

Leander M. Zimmerman
Leander Zimmerman c. 1914
Born(1860-08-29)August 29, 1860
near Manchester,_Maryland
DiedMarch 10, 1952(1952-03-10) (aged 91)
Washington, D.C.
EducationLutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
OccupationPastor
Years active1887-1925

Rev. Dr. Leander M. Zimmerman (1860-1952) was the founding pastor of Christ English Lutheran Church (now Christ Lutheran Church) in Baltimore, Maryland. He was an author, a poet, and a prominent civic figure.[1][2]

Early life and education

Leander Zimmerman was born on August 29, 1860 on a farm near Manchester in Carroll County, Maryland. He was the son of Henry and Leah Gladfelter Zimmerman.[1]

He attended Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, graduating in 1884, followed by the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg.[2]

Career

Zimmerman organized the St. Matthew's English Lutheran Church in Oswego, New York, in 1886, as part of a pastoral internship.[3][4] He supervised by his brother, Jeremiah, who was also a pastor.[5]

Zimmerman was ordained on October 8, 1887, in Williamsport, Maryland.[6] That fall, he was offered a posting to the First English Lutheran Church of Richmond, Virginia, but declined.[7]

Two months after his ordination, the General Synod of the Lutheran Church sent Zimmerman to Baltimore city to help struggling parishes and advise on suitable sites for new congregations.[8] On arriving in Baltimore, he immediately began canvassing the South Baltimore neighborhood door-to-door, encouraging individuals and families to join a new church. Zimmerman also promised the church would forego pew rents and rely on free-will offerings.[9] The new Christ English Evangelical Lutheran Church—a name meant to distinguish it from existing German-language congregations–began on December 18, 1887 with about 150 people[10] rising to 360 after four months.[11] In his first year in Baltimore, Zimmerman visited more than 4,000 visits in his first year.[12] His efforts meant that the new congregation quickly outgrew its rented premises. The congregation purchased the site of another church on Hill Street for $8,000[13], and dedicated the new building on November 25, 1888.[14] At the same time, the congregation elected to make the church self-sustaining, no longer requiring financial support.[15] Zimmerman was formally installed as pastor on December 2, 1888.[16]

Zimmerman ran the church with a small staff, employed no secretary, and declined salary increases and posh accommodation. However, he was "far ahead of his time in the use of promotional methods":[17][18] he distributed buttons, postcards, and promotional tracts bearing his own image, and published sermons, tracts, poems, and novels.

Much of Zimmerman's preaching and writing focused on how to help people establish stability and build resilience in their personal lives. He saw social ills as more the result of institutional than individual failings. While Zimmerman did not believe women should preach, he thought they should be allowed to earn a living and vote.[19] He also admonished husbands to "keep up a continual courtship"[20][n 1] and criticized sexual double standards.[n 2] He was also sympathetic to labor, decrying the "sweating system" that capital imposed on workers[21] and to those trapped in poverty, arguing that, while poverty was no excuse for wrongdoing, it was often a cause of it.

Zimmerman served on the Home Missions Board of the General Synod.[9] He was also one of the founding members of the Lutheran Deaconess Motherhouse.[22] He also served on the Board of Trustees of the Gettysburg Seminary and was elected President of the Maryland Synod in 1900.[22]

At one point, Zimmerman contemplated retirement in a sermon but the congregation begged him to stay.[23] Later, he submitted a letter of resignation but the church council refused it, instead offering him periodic vacations. By this time, the congregation numbered almost 2,000—the largest in Baltimore.[24]

Zimmerman labored another seven years before retiring on April 19, 1925, at age 65 and in poor health. Nearly 1,800 people crowded the auditorium, galleries, and Sunday school rooms to hear his final sermon.[6]: 29 

In 1947, on the churches 60th anniversary, 1,100 people feted Zimmerman at the Lord Baltimore Hotel.[25] Letters paying tribute to Zimmerman poured in from across the country, including from President Harry S. Truman,[n 3] Senator and former Governor of Maryland Herbert O'Conor,[n 4] Senator Millard Tydings,[n 5] Maryland Governor William Preston Lane, Jr.,[n 6] the future Maryland Governor Theodore R.McKeldin,[n 7] Baltimore Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr.[n 8]

Zimmerman received an inheritance from an older brother, a $5,000 gift from a Baltimore woman who was not even a member of the congregation,[26] and a $25,000 pension from the church, which also honored him with the title "Pastor Emeritus."[6]: 29  He remained active particularly on Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. He preached 62 consecutive Thanksgiving services; the last in 1949.[27] The following year he slipped and fractured his pelvis, prompting a move to the National Lutheran Home for the Aged in Washington, D.C. He returned to Christ Lutheran Church one final time on Easter Sunday, 1950, to deliver his last sermon.[6]: 31 

Awards and Honors

Zimmerman received an honorary Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree from Susquehanna University in 1901.[1][2][9] Gettysburg Seminary also awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D) degree in 1939.[5]

His alma mater, Gettysburg College, awards a prize in his honour to a graduating senior.[28]

Death

Zimmerman died on March 10, 1952, in Washington, D.C.[22] His body was taken back to Baltimore, to Christ Lutheran Church, where his body lay in state and was viewed by more than 4,000 people.[29]

More than 1,000 attended his funeral, including the Governor of Maryland Theodore McKeldin.[30][31][6]: 33 [28]

Bibliography

  • "Leander M. Zimmerman". Men of Mark in Maryland. B.F. Johnson, Inc. Retrieved 7 August 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  • Thomas, Ron; Paar, Gloria (2001). A History of Christ Lutheran Church of Baltimore. Baltimore, MD: Christ Lutheran Church. p. 4.
  • "Christ Lutheran Church of Baltimore". Lutheran Observer. February 17, 1888. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  • Thomas, Ron; Paar, Gloria (2001). A History of Christ Lutheran Church of Baltimore. Baltimore, MD: Christ Lutheran Church. p. 1. Retrieved 7 August 2026.

Works

Zimmerman was the author of four books, numerous poems, and commemorative writings.[32][33]

Books

Poetry

Commemorative Writings

Surviving Private Records

Christ Lutheran Church maintains a collection of Zimmerman's private records.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Men of Mark in Maryland, Volume IV. Baltimore, Washington and Richmond: B.F. Johnson, Inc. 1912. pp. 185–188 – via Internet Archive.
  2. 1 2 3 Distinguished Men of Baltimore and Maryland. Baltimore: Baltimore American. 1914. p. 21 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ↑ "Oswego, N.Y." The Lutheran Observer. September 17, 1886. Retrieved 7 August 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ↑ "A Pastor's Surprise". Lutheran Observer. September 10, 1886. Retrieved 11 August 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  5. 1 2 Douglas, John (1997). MA Thesis: Rediscovering the Work of Pastor Leander M. Zimmerman: A Model of Mission for Today. Gettysburg, PA: Lutheran Theology Seminary. p. 18.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Folkemer, Carl W. Dr. Zimmerman (1887-1925) (manuscript). Christ Lutheran Church. Retrieved 7 August 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  7. ↑ "An Acceptance Recalled". Lutheran Observer. 1887. Retrieved 7 August 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  8. ↑ Thomas, Ron; Paar, Gloria (2001). A History of Christ Lutheran Church of Baltimore. Baltimore, MD: Christ Lutheran Church. p. 1 – via Internet Archive.
  9. 1 2 3 Wentz, Abdel Ross (1920). History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Maryland of the United Lutheran Church in America, 1820-1920. Harrisburg, PA: Evangelical Press. p. 223 – via Internet Archive.
  10. ↑ "A New Lutheran Church". Baltimore American. February 6, 1888 – via Internet Archive.
  11. ↑ Thomas, Ron; Paar, Gloria (2001). A History of Christ Lutheran Church of Baltimore. Baltimore, MD: Christ Lutheran Church. p. 2 – via Internet Archive.
  12. ↑ "Dr. Zimmerman To Be Honored". (unidentified Baltimore paper). June 1947. Retrieved 11 August 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  13. ↑ "A Vigorous Young Congregation". Baltimore Sun. August 13, 1888 – via Internet Archive.
  14. ↑ "A Church Dedicated". Baltimore American. November 26, 1888 – via Internet Archive.
  15. ↑ Thomas, Ron; Paar, Gloria (2001). A History of Christ Lutheran Church of Baltimore. Baltimore, MD: Christ Lutheran Church. p. 3 – via Internet Archive.
  16. ↑ "Installation of a Pastor". Baltimore American. December 3, 1888 – via Internet Archive.
  17. ↑ "Dr. Zimmerman is to Retire from Pulpit". The Baltimore News. April 17, 1925. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  18. ↑ Thomas, Ron; Paar, Gloria (2001). A History of Christ Lutheran Church of Baltimore. Baltimore, MD: Christ Lutheran Church. p. 6. Retrieved 8 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "Is Tired of Pet Names: The Position that Woman Occupies at the Present Time". Baltimore American. October 31, 1892. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  20. ↑ "Marry Only for Love; Then, after the Wedding, Work for a Happy Home". Baltimore American. December 26, 1892. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  21. ↑ "For Higher Wages". Baltimore Sun. April 4, 1892. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  22. 1 2 3 "Dr. L. M. Zimmerman, Lutheran Pastor, Dies". The Evening Sun. Hanover, Pennsylvania. March 11, 1952. Retrieved 30 August 2026 – via newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ Folkemer, Carl W. (December 10, 1972). "Christ Lutheran Church: The Church You Can't Forget: 85th Anniversary". Christ Lutheran Church. Retrieved 10 August 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  24. ↑ Wade, Rev. William A. (May 7, 1925). "Dr. Leander M. Zimmerman Retires". The Lutheran. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  25. ↑ "Dinner Honors Dr. Zimmerman". (unidentified Baltimore newspaper). October 9, 1947. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  26. ↑ "Dr. Zimmerman is Given $5,000 as He Retires". Baltimore American. April 20, 1925. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  27. ↑ "62 Thanksgivings". (unidentified news clippling). 1949. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  28. 1 2 "Rev. Dr. Leander M. Zimmerman". Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid Atlantic. Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid Atlantic. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  29. ↑ "Zimmerman Rites Set for Tonight". No. Thursday Evening. Baltimore Sun. March 13, 1952. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  30. ↑ "Zimmerman Rites Held". No. Friday Morning. Baltimore Sun. March 14, 1952. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  31. ↑ Deaton, John L. "Dr. Leander M. Zimmerman". Christ Lutheran Church. Retrieved 10 August 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  32. ↑ The Representative Authors of Maryland: From the Earliest Time to the Present Day With Biographical Notes and Comments Upon Their Work. New York: Whitehall Publishing Company. 1911. pp. 176–177. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  33. ↑ "Excerpt from "Who's Who"". Christ Lutheran Church. Retrieved 10 August 2026 – via Internet Archive.

Primary sources

  1. ↑ Zimmerman, Leander M. (1912). Sparks: A Series of Popular Reflections on Ethical and Social Topics (4th ed.). p. 14. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  2. ↑ Zimmerman, Leander M. (1912). Sparks: A Series of Popular Reflections on Ethical and Social Topics (4th ed.). pp. 107–108. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Truman, Harry S. "Letter of congratulations". White House. Retrieved 26 July 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ↑ O'Connor, Herbert. "Letter of congratulations". United States Senate. Retrieved 26 July 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  5. ↑ Tydings, Millard. "Letter of congratulations". United States Senate. Retrieved 26 July 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  6. ↑ Lane, William Preston, Jr. "Letter of congratulations". Maryland Executive Department. Retrieved 26 July 2026 – via Internet Archive.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ McKeldin, Theodore. "Letter of Congratulations". Personal letterhead. Retrieved 26 July 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  8. ↑ D'Alesandro, Thomas, Jr. "Letter of Congratulations". City of Baltimore. Retrieved 26 July 2026 – via Internet Archive.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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