Saint Johns Lutheran Church

Nestled in the heart of Salt Lake City, Saint Johns Lutheran Church has witnessed the ebb and flow of history since its formal establishment in 1900. But the Lutheran presence in this city predates Saint Johns Lutheran Church. It began in 1893 when Reverend William H. Behrens arrived as a missionary. He held services in an auditorium at 200 West and 400 South, conducting baptisms, communions, and even marriages. Unfortunately, financial constraints forced him to leave for Tacoma, Washington, in 1894. Another Lutheran clergyman, Reverend Otto Kuhr, arrived in 1892. He initially held services at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. He later established the Erste Deutsche Evangelische Lutherische St. Johnnes Germeinde. A chapel was built at 700 South and 500 West in 1894. This location proved too distant from the city center, leading Kuhr to hold services at St. Mark’s Episcopal school. Kuhr eventually left for Brazil in 1897. Saint Johns Lutheran Church itself traces its official beginnings as a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to August 12, 1900. Reverend John R. Graebner, the son of Professor A.I. Graebner and installed by him and Dr. F. Piper, became the first resident pastor of Saint Johns Lutheran Church. Initially, services were held at Zion Lutheran Church. Graebner even introduced English services, held once a month. Recognizing the need for a permanent home, the congregation purchased land at 130 East 700 South. Saint Johns Lutheran Church found its current home across from Liberty Park at 1030 South 500 East. This building was dedicated on December 19, 1937, during the pastorate of Reverend F.E. Schumann. He oversaw a period of significant growth for Saint Johns Lutheran Church, with new congregations springing up in Provo, Spanish Fork, Murray, Ogden, and Logan. The church later purchased a parsonage at 1024 South 500 East in 1938, which now serves as church offices and classrooms. Interestingly, the church’s education wing, added in 1951 under Pastor Schulz, housed Salt Lake Lutheran High School from 1964 to 1992 before the school relocated. Saint Johns Lutheran Church has also played a role in nurturing future clergy. During Pastor Schumann’s tenure, several men from the congregation were inspired to enter the ministry, including Reverend George Fisher, Reverend Carl Witte, and Reverend Carl Losser, among others. Today, Saint Johns Lutheran Church continues its mission, serving a community of 169 confirmed and 202 baptized members. Its story is one of resilience, growth, and dedication to serving the spiritual needs of the Salt Lake City community.