Our History

Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri began in 1868 – in the wake of the Civil War – with one promise to care for the young son of a wounded Union soldier.

Nearly 100 years later, what blossomed into an orphanage was eventually restructured to accommodate societal changes. Proceeds from the sale of the orphanage were used to create an endowment that has strengthened and sustained our organization to this day.

Throughout our long history, LFCS has adapted to meet the needs of children and families in our communities. Today, LFCS is a statewide social services agency providing mental health, parenting, foster care, adoption, child development, and community prevention services– reaching out to more than 38,000 children and families last year alone.