Located in historic Ghent, First Lutheran is an intential Christian community appreciative of our Lutheran Christian heritage as well as sensitive to the dynamic neighborhood where God has placed us. We have been about our mission of making disciples for Jesus Christ since 1894, when 31 people were granted a charter.

Originally meeting in a rented hall, the congregation moved to a larger building until the late 1920's when its members, then numbering about 150, decided to build our present church on Colley Avenue in Norfolk. The building was dedicated on May 4, 1930. Improvements were added over the years, and in 1950 the congregation moved to the Colley Theater (now the Naro) while the chancel and nave underwent extensive renovations. The church was rededicated in 1951.

First Lutheran has always focused on Christian outreach and has been the "Mother Church" of eight mission congregations in the Hampton Roads area. The church and its members have initiated outreach programs and have contributed personal and financial support to many community organizations. This outreach continues through our congregation today.

Since 1926, First Lutheran has had only 4 senior pastors: the Rev. Dr. Luther W. Strickler, 1926-1966; the Rev. Dr. Marshall F. Mauney (now our pastor emeritus), 1967-1987; the Rev. Dr. James Cobb, 1988-1999; and the Rev. Dr. William B. Trexler, who was called in 2000.