The Walther League was organized in May of 1893 in Buffalo, New York. The term International was added later. The main emphases included worship, education, service, recreation, and fellowship among young people of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod congregations.

The IWL began as an all-male society, but within a few years women were included also. In the Pacific Northwest, the region was divided into three districts: Evergreen (Washington), Oregon, and Utah-Idaho. The Oregon District was initiated when the Oregon League of Lutheran Young People's Societies affiliated with the International Walther League in 1920. The Washington District became a member of the International Walther League on September 25, 1921. The Utah-Idaho District was organized at Buhl, Idaho, on May 29, 1938, although the Idaho District youth held conventions as early as 1934. The congregational societies of each district were organized into zones. Each district elected its own officers. The district officers planned regional activities (such as conventions, Lutheran Service Volunteer (LSV) Schools, rallies, and conferences) and gave support to the zones within each district. Beginning in 1946, the presidents of the districts were appointed as auxiliary members of the Northwest District's Youth Committee in order to coordinate the work between the two organizations.

In 1949 approximately 2,100 of the 3,500 young people under twenty-five in Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod congregations were members of the International Walther League. By the 1960s the IWL was losing its influence and membership declined. In the period 1967-1968 much of the administrative functions of the IWL were transferred to the Synodical Board for Youth Ministry; in 1977 the IWL closed its office. The Synodical Board for Youth Ministry attempted to assist congregations to serve their youth until a new organization, Lutheran Youth Fellowship, came into being in 1977.

Additional historical information about the International Walther League may be found in the following publications:

Pahl, Jon. 1993. Hopes and Dreams of All: The International Walther League and Lutheran Youth in American Culture, 1897-1993. Chicago: Wheat Ridge Foundation. [A general history of the IWL.]

God Opens Doors: A Centennial Celebration of the Northwest District of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. 2000. Portland, Oregon: Northwest District. [The IWL in the Pacific Northwest is discussed in pages 135-147.]