KFUO (AM)

KFUO (850 AM) is the longest continually operating Christian radio station in the United States. Owned and operated by The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), KFUO boasts an array of audio resources from worship services to inspirational music to in-depth study of God's Word through programs including "The Bible Study," "Ask the Pastor," "Studio A," and "Law & Gospel." KFUO also offers syndicated short-form programs like Dr.Paul Devantier's "By The Way," Dr. Mary Manz-Simon's "Front Porch Parenting," and Concordia Seminary President Dr. Dale Meyer's "The Meyer Minute." KFUO also carries 30-minute programs each weekday from Focus on the Family.

History

Among those designated as founders of KFUO were the Rev. Prof. J. H. C. Fritz, the Rev. Richard Kretzschmar, and the Rev. Dr. Walter A. Maier. Other Lutheran Institutions connected to the start-up of the station included Concordia Seminary, the Walther League, the Lutheran Laymen's League, and the St. Louis Lutheran Publicity Association. On October 26, 1924, KFUO went on the air for the first time, broadcasting to St. Louisans the cornerstone-laying ceremony for the Clayton campus of Concordia Seminary, which would house the station's permanent studio. When KFUO officially went on the air December 14 of that year, the first broadcast originated from the attic of one of the seminary buildings. Three years later, on May 29, 1927, the studio was dedicated. KFUO became a Synodical enterprise in 1927. A sister FM station, KFUO-FM (eventually to be known as "Classic 99") was added in 1948.