The American denominational branch of Lutheranism known as the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod was founded in 1849 in Chicago by German immigrants. Its first president was C.F.W. Walther. The church is now based in St. Louis, Mo. It places a strong emphasis on education, with a large system of parochial schools, colleges, and seminaries. Its conservative stance often separates it from other Lutheran bodies. The church underwent internal strife beginning in 1969 over doctrine, and many congregations, seminary professors, and clergy left to form the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (now part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).