About LSS

Introduction

In 1907, the Lutheran Inner Mission Society of Pittsburgh was created in response to concerns by Lutheran church groups for action on behalf of neglected children, delinquent youth and persons in institutional care. It was a focused effort to coordinate available services for needy families. The original mission statement said the society was to "develop and maintain a program of Christian social services, as needs are demonstrated and as resources are available." In 1949, the society voted to amend its constitution and charter, changing the name of the agency to The Lutheran Service Society of Western Pennsylvania (LSS), in order to better describe the agency's changing ministries and wider geographic service area.

LSS is a private, faith-based, nonprofit, 501[c](3),tax-exempt, ecumenical, community-based provider of social services that enhance the quality of life and promote the dignity and independence of persons in need. To accomplish this, LSS maintains senior activities and programs; adoption services; food and nutritional service programs; Meals On Wheels programs; housing for low-income seniors; senior centers and senior support programs in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Westmoreland Counties; and transportation and technology programs. LSS also seeks to develop programs to address other unmet needs in the communities it serves and to expand its services into underserved communities.

LSS is an affiliated member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Direct organizational oversight of LSS is provided by its 16-member Board of Directors, made up of appointed, synod-elected and board-elected members. Governance and oversight of LSS is provided by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod and the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, which LSS serves as one of their social ministry organizations. LSS is a member agency of the United Ways of Allegheny County, Beaver County, and Westmoreland County and Lutheran Services in America.

LSS serves persons based on a need for service, regardless of their faith tradition. LSS is a pioneer and leader in enriching individual lives and communities by providing effective, comprehensive, high quality social and human services. LSS maintains a non-discriminatory policy for employment, volunteer opportunities and programs. All of our services are available to all persons without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or national origin.

Mission and Vision Statements

LSS Mission Statement is "Responding to God's love in Christ, The Lutheran Service Society brings people together in ministries to enhance the quality of life and promote the dignity of those in need through congregational and community partnerships." Our mission statement reflects the dramatic increase in programs and scope of service that the agency has undergone in the past 30 years. LSS is dedicated to the goal of maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for "all our neighbors in need."

LSS Vision Statement is "To be a leader in developing comprehensive approaches to meeting the needs of people by building on our own strengths and developing collaborative partners in ministry." With 99 years of expertise in the provision of human services, LSS is strategically positioned to deliver much needed services to a changing western Pennsylvania population. LSS is committed to continuing to make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve and is prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Brief Early History

On April 18, 1907, the Lutheran Inner Mission Society was officially formed at the First English Evangelical Lutheran Church of Pittsburgh to "preach the gospel and minister to those not reached by the Churches and to stimulate Christian service in Lutheran congregations." In September, 1907, Rev. A. J. D. Haupt, D.D. was hired as the first Superintendent of the City Mission at a salary of $1,500 per annum, plus traveling and office expenses. The Lutheran Inner Mission Society of Pittsburgh was officially incorporated in 1915.

The official monthly newsletter of the Inner Mission Society was called "The Inner Mission Worker." Its first masthead stated "That thy kingdom may come, Thy Will may be done, in Pittsburgh as it is in heaven." The monthly publication of inner mission information cost $.25 per year. Membership in the Society started at $1 per year, up to $100 for a Guarantor. The first issue was published in November, 1914 from Pittsburgh. Most issues included news about other inner mission societies across the country as well as local social welfare organizations. It always included stories of people in need with pictures; statistics on services provided, e.g. how many quarts of milk and articles of clothing were given out, plus Gospel services offered, and monies contributed.

In April, 1918, the Lutheran Hospice for Young Women (later called Cotta Hall) opened at 330 North Avenue in Pittsburgh. It was a residence for women students and workers which existed until 1944. May, 1918, saw the Constitution revised to admit women to the Board of Managers; three were elected later that year. Summer camp in tents existed in Zelienople from 1918-1937. Then it existed in different locations for two years and finally they sent children to non-Lutheran sponsored camps. The Training School opened in 1921, and the Student House for young men opened its doors in Oakland in 1922 and closed in 1943. Theological students served as interns starting in 1926 for three months initially, then that was changed to 12 months. Weekly radio broadcasts on WJAS started in the 1920s and continued for decades.

The industrial program on the Southside provided housing and work for homeless men from 1930 - 1966 in different buildings. During the Depression, LIMS was one of the seven private agencies administering government programs. The February, 1932, issue of The Inner Mission Worker noted as part of the Silver Anniversary of our Inner Mission Society, that they supported themselves without subsidies from any Lutheran Church. The October, 1932 issue noted that the LIMS had decided not to become a member of the Welfare Fund so contributions to that would not benefit us, (that agency was the precursor to the United Way). The Inner Mission Society was also noted for its prison ministry; the County Jail Chaplain was a Lutheran for decades. Also, teams visited people in Mayview and Woodville Hospitals regularly. The Beaver office was opened in 1942 and an office was opened in Greensburg in 1960; the Butler office opened in 1967. LSS was approved as a licensed child care agency to operate under the adoption law of DPW in PA in 1959.

More Information

• LSS Board of Directors
• LSS Executive Staff
• LSS Office Locations and Contact Information