The church came into existence only in 1977, as the result of the merger of four formerly independent churches – those of Eutin, Hamburg, Lubeck and Schleswig-Holstein. The whole region had accepted Christianity in the 9th century. One of the most outstanding personalities of that century was Ansgar, the “apostle of the north”. The entire population was Christianized between the 9th and 12th centuries. The Reformation was officially introduced in Hamburg in 1529, in Lubeck in 1531, in Eutin in 1537 and in Schleswig-Holstein in 1542. Johannes Bugenhagen played a decisive role.

The church has spent considerable time discussing issues of disarmament and peace. It continues its conversations with the Russian Orthodox Church, the Reformed Church, the Methodists, Baptists, Moravian Brethren, and other small Christian communities on its territory. Besides questions of justice, peace and the integrity of creation, the church has taken up the challenge of combating racism, and the relation between white and black churches, in particular in Southern Africa. It maintains close missionary relationships with churches in India, Tanzania and Papua New Guinea through exchange programmes and projects of partnership. It coordinates the partnership with the churches in the Baltic states.

Since 2007 discussions are in progress about a merger of the North Elbian Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mecklenburg and the Pomeranian Evangelical Church.