Christ Lutheran Church
About Our Church
Christ Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Wathena, KS
Historic, confessional worship and Christ-centered teaching.
About Christ Lutheran Church Wathena, KS
Christ Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) located in Wathena, Kansas. As the only LCMS church in Doniphan County, we are dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its truth and purity to our rural communities and visiting guests alike.
Our Mission
We gather around the Word and Sacraments so that sinners may receive forgiveness and grow in faith, serving our neighbors in Christ’s love.
Our Identity & Core Values
We are distinctly Lutheran in theology—grounded in God’s Word, committed to the Lutheran Confessions, and alive in the fellowship of believers. We embrace historic liturgy, faithful preaching, and the sacramental gifts of Christ.
Our Beliefs (LCMS)
Christ Lutheran Church confesses the faith of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church as taught in Holy Scripture and summarized in the Lutheran Confessions. We are faithful to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, which clearly proclaim that salvation is by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone, revealed in Scripture Alone.
We rejoice in the Lord’s gifts given in Word and Sacrament for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Through Holy Baptism, God calls us His own and joins us to Christ’s death and resurrection. In the Lord’s Supper, Christ gives His true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of faith.
Our worship is rooted in the historic liturgy of the Church, centered on Christ and His redeeming work. In all that we do, we seek to bring glory to God and share His mercy with our neighbors.
We invite all who desire to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ to join us in hearing His Word, receiving His gifts, and living together as His people in faith, hope, and love.
Membership is based on confession of the faith and participation in the life of the congregation. We value regular worship, communion practice, Bible study, stewardship, and mutual care as members of Christ’s body.
Find out more about our beliefs →
Our Pastor
Pastor Wolf has served as our pastor since December 2020. He received his Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Saint Louis, MO, and is committed to faithful Lutheran preaching and teaching.
Meet Pastor Wolf →
Who We Serve
The towns and rural families of Doniphan County including Wathena, Troy, Highland, and Elwood. We are the only LCMS congregation in the county and welcome all who seek historic Lutheran worship and sound biblical teaching.
We also serve believers and seekers from the greater St. Joseph, Missouri area, complementing the ministries of our sister LCMS congregations in that city. Our doors are open to anyone looking for reverent worship and a Christ-centered community.
Who We Serve →
Sunday Worship in Doniphan County
Join us this Sunday in Wathena, serving neighbors throughout Doniphan County. including Elwood, Troy, Highland, Bendena, Denton and Severance. Our neighbors to the east in Saint Joseph, Missouri are always welcome as well.
What to Expect
When you visit Christ Lutheran Church, you'll experience:
Jesus as the center in both our preaching and teaching
The forgiveness of sins is at the heart of the Divine Service
The Lord's Supper is served every Sunday
Traditional Liturgy from the Lutheran Service Book
Congregational singing of Lutheran hymns
Historic vestments
Bible Study and Sunday School for all ages
A welcoming congregation
For First Time Visitors
Take a bulletin (available in the narthex / entryway)
Please sign our guest registry found in the narthex / entryway
Feel free to sit anywhere
You find a Lutheran Service Book (on the back of the pews) to be able to follow during the Divine Service
The service typically lasts a little over and hour
We practice closed communion (see note below)
Our Pastor will greet everyone as they leave
Regarding Holy Communion: Closed communion is an ancient practice dating back to the Apostles' themselves. Those who do not properly confess what Scripture teaches regarding Christ and His Supper must not be given the Sacrament (1 Cor 10:17 | 1 Cor 11:27 | 1 Cor 11:29). Those who are members of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod are invited to the Lord's Supper. We invite others to learn about the Gospel and Sacrament in a new member class before taking communion. If you have questions, please contact us, or learn more about what we believe.
Learn more about the Divine Service →
Sunday Services
Sunday School: 9:00 AM
Divine Service: 10:15 AM
Christ Lutheran Church - Wathena KS
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS)