Saint Peter Lutheran Church

In 1902, Denver was a bustling village, once known as Jefferson City. Saint Peter Lutheran Church didn’t exist yet. The town had businesses, but something vital was missing. For 47 years, the town lacked a church. Townspeople worshipped in outlying country churches. This changed with Pastor J. Dorullus. He held the first town worship service on November 17, 1901. The turnout was impressive. Soon, Saint Peter Lutheran Church was born. Karl Schmidt donated land. Thirteen families formed the core of the new congregation. The church was dedicated on October 5, 1902. The following Easter, a Wartburg Seminary student, F. Schoenbohm, delivered a powerful sermon. This led to him becoming Saint Peter’s pastor. Friedrich Ernst Schoenbohm began his ministry on July 5, 1902. He served the same congregation for over 42 years. Such dedication is rare. Saint Peter Lutheran Church thrived. It grew from 13 to around 100 families. A new brick church, built with donated labor and materials, was dedicated on December 19, 1920. The 1920s marked a transition. German services gradually gave way to English. The last monthly German service was held in 1961. A yearly German Maundy Thursday service continued until 1981. The current parsonage, built in 1948, still serves the church today. Saint Peter Lutheran Church continued to expand. A west annex was added in 1952 for Sunday School classrooms and office space. In 1983, a friendship room was added to the south side. The church fostered numerous groups. The longest-standing is the women’s group, initially the Frauenverein or Ladies Aid, organized in 1903. Now known as Women of the ELCA, they provide ongoing support to the congregation. Through it all, Saint Peter Lutheran Church has remained a steadfast presence in Denver.