Constructed in the 1900s for a large congregation, its architecture includes numerous elements seen in older grand churches, and it has been named a historic site.

After a time of worshipping in a store owned by a charter member, the congregation erected their first church building in what is now downtown Dayton.

It has parented several other Dayton-area Lutheran churches: the members planted six congregations at different times, and political issues related to the Civil War caused an acrimonious split in 1864, after which the minority formed a separate congregation.

Its general appearance was intended to resemble that of the most prominent Lutheran churches in Europe, so the architects included stained glass portraits of certain of the Twelve Apostles and Four Evangelists, traditional details such as label stops with figureheads, and a painted ceiling with visible structural elements.

It is one of five Dayton churches with this distinction; the others, all Catholic, are scattered among various city neighborhoods, and only Sacred Heart is located downtown.