In 1856, Bethlehem Lutheran Church established the Bethlehem Lutheran Day School. Classes were held four days a week, and monthly tuition was 50 cents for church members and $1.00 for non-members. Although curriculum and methods have changed through the years, the school's goal has remained constant "to provide the place and environment where children will receive a sound education, as well as receive the gifts of faith, hope, and love." 

Luther Memorial has seen enormous changes come to the city of Richmond, but today it still stands at the forefront of education, offering a stable, well grounded, and academically invigorating environment to children of many cultures, religions, and ethnic origins. The present lower school building in the Ginter Park area of Richmond was dedicated in 1962, and the adjoining upper school building was added in 1968.