Title
A HISTORY OF ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
Creator
Mrs. Norman Horstmann
Coverage
TOWNSHIP 139N RANGE 96W
Text
A HISTORY OF ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
By Mrs. Norman Horstmann From Previous Church Histories and Church Records
St. John Lutheran Church had its beginnings, 1902, when a small group of settlers made their want known to the Joint Synod of Ohio, and O. T. Just was called as a missonary pastor to Dickinson. The first services were held in homes and later in the Methodist church. Dec. 15, 1903 the congregation was organized by charter members Henry Krauth, G. R. Wannemacher, Paul Schoen, August Vetterlein and Miss Carrie Gunwall.
The first wooden church structure was built and dedicated, 1906, at the cost of $3,000.00, with much of the work donated by members. The building committee members were O. T. Just, F. Maser, Herman Rabe, W. C. Boehlke, H. Krauth and P. Schoen. The congregation was incorporated, 1908. The second pastor to serve St. John's congregation, E. Ahl, came that year and served until 1911. At times throughout the years the church was without a pastor from a month up to almost a year, and at those times was served by neighboring and interim pastors. A. R. Lembke came 1912 and served until 1914. F. J. Kordevich served from 1915 until 1918.
Both German and English services had been held and now it was decided to have all services in English. The next pastor was E. O. Armbruster, serving from 1918 until 1920. G. H. Plamann was installed, 1921.
As attendance increased, the basement was remodeled for organization meetings and gallery seating added to the church. 1926, a parsonage was built directly south of the church, and in 1928 it was voted to become self-supporting without mission assistance.
1932, it became necessary to hold double services which continued until the new church basement was built, 1948. The depression affected the church adversely, and the pledge system was begun in order to meet expenses. Gas was first installed in the church, 1935, so the pastor, who also did the janitorial work, no longer had to shovel coal and carry ashes.
William Zibell came to serve, 1941, when Plamann accepted another call. During the war years the building of the present church building was delayed because of shortages of materials. Zibell left, 1948, and E. I. Hageman was installed the same year. Services were held in the basement of the present church until it was completed. Dedication services were held June, 1950.
St. John began to broadcast its services on KDIX, 1949, and they are still being broadcast. L. G. Sailer was installed when Hageman accepted a call, 1954, and he served until 1958. Again an interim pastor served until the present pastor, Peter C. Hinrichs, was installed 1959.
In 1960 St. John altered its constitution when a synodical merger took place to form The American Lutheran Church of which St. John is a member. 1958, the congregation bought the property adjoining the parsonage. The house on that property was remodeled for a parsonage and the old parsonage coverted into a temporary parish unit until a new one could be built. The old parsonage was sold and moved off the lot, 1961, and a large parish education unit was joined onto the church to serve the needs of an ever growing congregation. This was completed 1963.
St. John participated in the internship program about 10 years and 1970 the first of two assistant pastors was installed. 1976, Steven Tangen was installed as pastor to serve along with Pastor Hinrichs. Mildred Monke has long served as the parish worker and Dr. O. T. Belsheim as director of music. Mrs. Lauren Haacke is the parish secretary. A 14 member church council meets monthly to make church related decisions. Mrs. Everett (Arlene) Haunson is now serving as the first woman president of the council.
St. John Lutheran church has grown from six families — six charter members in 1902 — to 330 baptized members, 1928, 900 members, 1950, and the current membership is 1300. There are two worship services each Sunday, a senior and junior choir, confirmation classes, adult classes, pre-school and grade school classes and vacation Bible School. There are seven circles affiliated with The American Lutheran Church Women, a men's group, a high school organization, a parish education committee, an altar guild and a service committee. St. John is also actively involved with the Lutheran Campus Mission and the Boy Scout program.
Plans are being completed for the remodeling and redecorating of the interior of the church in observance of the 75th anniversary of St. John Lutheran Church, June, 1978.
By Mrs. Norman Horstmann From Previous Church Histories and Church Records
St. John Lutheran Church had its beginnings, 1902, when a small group of settlers made their want known to the Joint Synod of Ohio, and O. T. Just was called as a missonary pastor to Dickinson. The first services were held in homes and later in the Methodist church. Dec. 15, 1903 the congregation was organized by charter members Henry Krauth, G. R. Wannemacher, Paul Schoen, August Vetterlein and Miss Carrie Gunwall.
The first wooden church structure was built and dedicated, 1906, at the cost of $3,000.00, with much of the work donated by members. The building committee members were O. T. Just, F. Maser, Herman Rabe, W. C. Boehlke, H. Krauth and P. Schoen. The congregation was incorporated, 1908. The second pastor to serve St. John's congregation, E. Ahl, came that year and served until 1911. At times throughout the years the church was without a pastor from a month up to almost a year, and at those times was served by neighboring and interim pastors. A. R. Lembke came 1912 and served until 1914. F. J. Kordevich served from 1915 until 1918.
Both German and English services had been held and now it was decided to have all services in English. The next pastor was E. O. Armbruster, serving from 1918 until 1920. G. H. Plamann was installed, 1921.
As attendance increased, the basement was remodeled for organization meetings and gallery seating added to the church. 1926, a parsonage was built directly south of the church, and in 1928 it was voted to become self-supporting without mission assistance.
1932, it became necessary to hold double services which continued until the new church basement was built, 1948. The depression affected the church adversely, and the pledge system was begun in order to meet expenses. Gas was first installed in the church, 1935, so the pastor, who also did the janitorial work, no longer had to shovel coal and carry ashes.
William Zibell came to serve, 1941, when Plamann accepted another call. During the war years the building of the present church building was delayed because of shortages of materials. Zibell left, 1948, and E. I. Hageman was installed the same year. Services were held in the basement of the present church until it was completed. Dedication services were held June, 1950.
St. John began to broadcast its services on KDIX, 1949, and they are still being broadcast. L. G. Sailer was installed when Hageman accepted a call, 1954, and he served until 1958. Again an interim pastor served until the present pastor, Peter C. Hinrichs, was installed 1959.
In 1960 St. John altered its constitution when a synodical merger took place to form The American Lutheran Church of which St. John is a member. 1958, the congregation bought the property adjoining the parsonage. The house on that property was remodeled for a parsonage and the old parsonage coverted into a temporary parish unit until a new one could be built. The old parsonage was sold and moved off the lot, 1961, and a large parish education unit was joined onto the church to serve the needs of an ever growing congregation. This was completed 1963.
St. John participated in the internship program about 10 years and 1970 the first of two assistant pastors was installed. 1976, Steven Tangen was installed as pastor to serve along with Pastor Hinrichs. Mildred Monke has long served as the parish worker and Dr. O. T. Belsheim as director of music. Mrs. Lauren Haacke is the parish secretary. A 14 member church council meets monthly to make church related decisions. Mrs. Everett (Arlene) Haunson is now serving as the first woman president of the council.
St. John Lutheran church has grown from six families — six charter members in 1902 — to 330 baptized members, 1928, 900 members, 1950, and the current membership is 1300. There are two worship services each Sunday, a senior and junior choir, confirmation classes, adult classes, pre-school and grade school classes and vacation Bible School. There are seven circles affiliated with The American Lutheran Church Women, a men's group, a high school organization, a parish education committee, an altar guild and a service committee. St. John is also actively involved with the Lutheran Campus Mission and the Boy Scout program.
Plans are being completed for the remodeling and redecorating of the interior of the church in observance of the 75th anniversary of St. John Lutheran Church, June, 1978.