[2] The Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod in North America was established in 1860.
The organizing meeting was held at the Jefferson Prairie Settlement, near Clinton, Wisconsin on June 5–8.
A group of Swedish Lutheran pastors including Jonas Swensson, Lars Paul Esbjörn, Tuve Hasselquist, Eric Norelius, and Erland Carlsson pioneered development of the Augustana Synod.
[5] Originally somewhat conservative, the church gradually turned more liberal after historical criticism was introduced at its seminary.
[7] While the Augustana Church had only 600,000 members when the Lutheran Church in America was formed, its influence on its successor bodies has been significant as they incorporated many of Augustana's emphases on mission, ecumenism, and social service.