Lutheranism began with Martin Luther in Germany during the Reformation and spread to America with European immigrants. In the 1730s, Lutherans arrived in what is now West Virginia, starting churches in Shepherdstown and later in Mason County.

As more Germans moved into the mountains and along railroads and roads, more churches were built in Wheeling, Charleston, Elkins, and Grafton. Wheeling, in particular, was a center for Lutherans by the late 1800s.

Over time, most West Virginia Lutherans joined the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). By 2002, the state and western Maryland had over 15,000 members in 62 churches. Lutheran churches in the state are known for their strong community ties and support for one another.