Lutherans arrived very early to Brazil. Already in 1532, the son of a friend of Luther, Heliodoro Eobano, disembarked in São Vicente, SP, where he professed his faith.

Origin and profile of IELB

In 1817, the German government decreed the union of Lutherans and Reformed Calvinists. Many did not accept this imposition, and formed independent churches. Of these independent churches, some emigrated to the New World, where they formed churches which were markedly confessional in nature.

Lutherans of this kind, from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod of the USA, came to give assistance to the German Lutheran immigrants in Brazil. IELB originated from the independent, confessional Lutheran churches, and this became an important characteristic in the history of IELB. In her theological and devotional literature, in the themes of her conferences and conventions, this has been the most persistent emphasis.

Lutherans in Brazil

The majority of Germans who emigrated to Brazil in the 19^th century established residence in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. There they organized themselves according to their origins, whether Reformed, United or Lutherans. In 1886 the Riograndense Synod was founded under the leadership of Rev. Wilhelm Rotermund. In 1968, this Synod, along with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Santa Catarina, Paraná and other states of South America (1905), the Association of Evangelical Communities of Santa Catarina and Paraná (1911), and the Evangelical Synod of Central Brazil, formed the Evangelical Church of Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB).

IELB

Upon request from pastor Johann F. Brutschin, of Novo Hamburgo, RS, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod from the USA sent pastor Christian J. Broders to Brazil. On the 1^st of June of 1900, he together with 17 families founded the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation São João, in São Pedro, 40 Kilometers away from Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS).

On the 24th of June of 1904, in São Pedro do Sul, near Santa Maria, RS, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil was founded, with the presence of 14 pastors, one professor, and 10 laymen, representing 10 congregations with approximately 3,000 members.