The Evangelical Lutheran Synod was originally formed as the Norwegian Synod (1853). They joined the Synodical Conference in 1872 and enjoyed fellowship with the Wisconsin and Missouri Synods. The present Evangelical Lutheran Synod began in 1917.
Since 1927 the ELS has operated Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN. In 1946 it established a theological seminary at Bethany. It carries on an active home mission program and has 133 congregations in the United States and missionaries serving in Peru, Chile, the Ukraine and Czech Republic.
Today the ELS is in fellowship with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and a member of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC).