Minister who oversaw Lutheran integration in 3 states dies
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A minister who oversaw the integration of Lutheran churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama has died at the age of 92.
Schoen's (SHANE'S) Funeral Home says the Rev. Edgar Homrighausen (HOM-rig-how-zen) was born on Long Island in 1924, grew up in New Jersey, and died Friday.
He was elected bishop of the Missouri Synod's Southern District in 1959. During his 10 years as bishop, black Lutheran churches in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana were integrated into the formerly all-white Southern District.
Homrighausen moved in 1959 from First English Lutheran Church in New Orleans to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cullman, Alabama. He moved back to First English in 1965, retiring as bishop in 1969, but kept working nearly all his life.
His funeral will be at Schoen's at 1:30 p.m. Friday.