In 1893 a group of dedicated individuals founded St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. They had a vision. They wanted a place of worship a sanctuary for their community. This wasn’t just any church. It was born from a desire to build something lasting something strong. St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church started humbly. Early services were held in a school then a Methodist church. Finally twelve men signed a declaration. They vowed to build their own church. The cost was $1486.50. A significant sum in 1893. The church building opened its doors on August 13 1893.
St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church quickly became a vital part of its community. Three months after its founding the church was built. The congregation flourished. An organ was purchased in 1894. The church joined the Missouri Synod that same year. The altar and pulpit were dedicated in 1897. They are still in use today. This speaks to the quality and care put into those early creations. These pieces continue to inspire generations of worshippers. A parochial school opened in 1898. It ran until 1919. This demonstrates the church’s commitment to education and faith.
Pastor Hy Prekel became the first resident pastor in 1898. Later a prominent theologian Reverend Dr John Theodore Mueller served St John’s from 1913 to 1917. He went on to become a professor at Concordia Seminary in St Louis. He wrote numerous books including Christian Dogmatics. A furnace was added in 1910. A bell chimed for the first time in 1913. The church was a center for community life. Services were in German with one English service per month. This reflected the community’s linguistic makeup.
Pastor Hugo Bloedel was the last resident pastor. He left in 1927. After that St John’s was served by pastors from other areas. In 1942 St John’s joined with Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Laurium. This dual parish relationship continues to this day. In 2018 St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated its 125th anniversary. A testament to its endurance and enduring faith. Today St John’s continues to serve. It offers spiritual guidance. It provides community support. It carries on a legacy of faith established over a century ago. It is a living testament to its founders vision. It stands as a beacon of hope and community.