Small Catechism

The project

The Small Catechism Web App is a self-initiated, public digital resource that makes Luther’s Small Catechism accessible online, with multiple English translations and explanatory commentary from American Lutheran authors.

The challenge

Lutheran catechetical texts exist in many print editions and translations, but there was no single, accessible web resource bringing multiple translations and scholarly explanations together in one searchable, browsable interface.

What we did

Web application development

Built the application from scratch using React and Bootstrap, as a first React project. The app organises the Small Catechism by section (Confession, Creed, Lord’s Prayer, Ten Commandments and others), with each section presenting multiple translations and explanations side by side.

Content architecture

Structured the content to support both linear reading and section-by-section navigation, making the app useful for catechesis instruction and individual study.

Results

The application is live at catechism.merctraider.me. It is ongoing, and the project continues to be developed and expanded.

Package

Self-initiated web application development (React, Bootstrap).