September ‘Witness’: 100 years of KFUO

In 1921, there were five radio stations in the United States. In 1922, there were 30. This shows the vision of the Board of Control of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL), when it decided, in February 1923, to propose an LCMS (The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod) radio station based in St. Louis that would be a “Gospel voice” going as far as the station’s towers could reach.

It didn’t take long to get their plan off the ground. KFUO Radio was officially dedicated on Dec. 14, 1924. The Rev. Dr. Richard Kretzschmar, chairman of the CSL Board of Control and one of the pioneers behind the station, spoke at the dedication: “May the unwavering testimony … of every Bible doctrine … be carried on the waves of the air through this station KFUO, to many thousands who will lend their ears. … May it bring salvation, joy, peace and hope into many hearts and many homes. … May the song and music coming through this medium from the air ever remind the great radio audience of the wonderful Christmas song of the heavenly hosts and of the celestial harmonies resounding from the skies from above the fields of Bethlehem, and may those strains everywhere on earth be re-echoed to the end of days: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ ”

A century later, KFUO remains unwavering in its confession of Scripture’s teaching and its proclamation of Christ. To this day, KFUO still continues to broadcast sacred music in praise of God, as well as regular chapel and Divine Services.

The September issue of The Lutheran Witness celebrates a century of KFUO and looks to the future of Lutheran radio. It highlights great moments in KFUO history — including fighting and winning a lawsuit that protected Christian radio stations across the U.S. — as well as the great things going on at KFUO today.

Pick up a copy of the September issue to learn more, and tune in to KFUO online at kfuo.org, or in the St. Louis area at AM 850, to listen to this stalwart Gospel voice seven days a week.

Posted Sept. 24, 2024