Our Story
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Our Church History
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized in 1883 by twenty members of the existing Trinity congregation. Timbers for the framework of the church were cut from nearby forests. The shell was completed by November; benches and altar were built with trees hewn nearby. Dedication was held November 18, 1883, with twenty families attending. A bell was ordered from St. Louis and installed New year's Eve in 1889. An organ was purchased in 1901. The first school was opened in 1893. Electric light was installed in 1913. A new school was built in 1916. Additions to the school were completed in 1928 and 1956.
Five Pastors have served our congregation in its more than ninety years, namely, Rev. Carl F. Dietz, Rev. Frederick Brunn, Rev. Herber H.S. Harthun, Reb. Arthur E. Krause, and Rev. Jeffry M Fritz.
The frame church building on South Wentworth Avenue showed signs of age during the forties. Extensive repairs were required. The building had served as a house of worship since 1883. In 1949 the Voters’ Assembly resolved to erect a new church building. Lots were purchased at the corner of Wentworth Avenue and Randolph Street. Work was begun in Spring, 1950. Individual members of the congregation dedicated to the service gave many hours of labor in construction of this edifice. It was dedicated to the service of the triune God on May 20,1951. The old bell was hung in the tower of the new building, bringing a heritage of the past.
Membership has increases steadily since 1883. The number of communicants were as follows at the times of these observances:
Fortieth Anniversary, 1923 ……………….…..…………….228
Fiftieth Anniversary, 1933…………………..……………….287
Sixtieth Anniversary, 1943 ………………….………………385
Church Dedication in 1951 …….…………………………..500
Seventy-fifth Anniversary, 1968 …………...………………..830
August 1, 1978 ……………………………………………....................................……….887
St. John’s Lansing has grown from a simple beginning with horse dawn wagons and rough-hewn wood to modern facilities such as radio and Braille to spread the Gospel. Economic depression caused concern in the “thirties”, and wars took young men from us. We have rejoiced together in Christian fellowship on many happy occasions, we have been comforted by God’s Word in sorrow, and in the Lord has sustained us through all things.
With the increase in size and numbers no changes have taken place in things that matter; nothing has been added or subtracted from the means of grace. The faith of those who are true believers today rest in the same Lord Jesus Christ.
- Information gathered from our 1978 church directory
Five Pastors have served our congregation in its more than ninety years, namely, Rev. Carl F. Dietz, Rev. Frederick Brunn, Rev. Herber H.S. Harthun, Reb. Arthur E. Krause, and Rev. Jeffry M Fritz.
The frame church building on South Wentworth Avenue showed signs of age during the forties. Extensive repairs were required. The building had served as a house of worship since 1883. In 1949 the Voters’ Assembly resolved to erect a new church building. Lots were purchased at the corner of Wentworth Avenue and Randolph Street. Work was begun in Spring, 1950. Individual members of the congregation dedicated to the service gave many hours of labor in construction of this edifice. It was dedicated to the service of the triune God on May 20,1951. The old bell was hung in the tower of the new building, bringing a heritage of the past.
Membership has increases steadily since 1883. The number of communicants were as follows at the times of these observances:
Fortieth Anniversary, 1923 ……………….…..…………….228
Fiftieth Anniversary, 1933…………………..……………….287
Sixtieth Anniversary, 1943 ………………….………………385
Church Dedication in 1951 …….…………………………..500
Seventy-fifth Anniversary, 1968 …………...………………..830
August 1, 1978 ……………………………………………....................................……….887
St. John’s Lansing has grown from a simple beginning with horse dawn wagons and rough-hewn wood to modern facilities such as radio and Braille to spread the Gospel. Economic depression caused concern in the “thirties”, and wars took young men from us. We have rejoiced together in Christian fellowship on many happy occasions, we have been comforted by God’s Word in sorrow, and in the Lord has sustained us through all things.
With the increase in size and numbers no changes have taken place in things that matter; nothing has been added or subtracted from the means of grace. The faith of those who are true believers today rest in the same Lord Jesus Christ.
- Information gathered from our 1978 church directory