John Christian Frederick Heyer (1793-1873)

In 1842 Father Heyer became the first American Lutheran missionary to India, establishing schools and churches and ministering to women and those outside the caste system. In the US, he traveled extensively in Pa. and the Midwest organizing congregations. He was instrumental in founding Gettysburg College and the nation’s first Lutheran theological seminary at Gettysburg. A resident of Friedens, he was pastor and is buried here. (Dedicated: Sunday, August 28, 2016)