Old Lutherans

Prussian religious denomination Old Lutherans were German Lutherans in the Kingdom of Prussia, especially in the Province of Silesia, who refused to join the Prussian Union of churches in the 1830s and 1840s. Prussia's king, Frederick William III, was determined to unify the Protestant churches and homogenise their liturgy, organisation, and architecture. In a series of proclamations over several years the Church of the Prussian Union was formed, bringing together a group that was majority Lutheran and minority Reformed. As a result, the government of Prussia had full control over church affairs, with the king recognised as its leading bishop. The attempted suppression of the Old Lutherans led many to emigrate to Australia, Canada, and the United States, which resulted in the creation of significant Lutheran denominations in those countries. The legacy of Old Lutherans also survives in the Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church in modern Germany. Prussian Union King Frederick William III of Prussia In 1799 King Frederick William III of Prussia issued a decree for a new common liturgical Agenda (service book) to be published, for use in both the Lutheran and Reformed congregations.