in retrospect
St. John Lutheran Church was organized January 2, 1875 in the Clay School Building by the Reverend J. N. Steck while he was the pastor of the Jersey Shore Lutheran Church. During the first five years the congregation continued to meet in the Clay School and was served by pastors of the neighboring Lutheran Churches. Then in 1882, the Revered A. M. Warner became pastor of St. John and Messiah. During his pastorate a new church was erected on the northwest corner of Rose Street and Memorial Avenue at a cost of $3,300 and was dedicated September, 1883. |
The Reverend J. M. Steck followed Reverend Warner as pastor of the two churches and continued for four years. At the close of his ministry St. John and Messiah decided that both were strong enough to go their separate ways and a pastorate of seven years was dissolved. The Reverend Albert Bell was called and took charge February 1, 1888. He served the congregation for two years until February 1890. The Reverend Isaiah Irvine became pastor in June of 1890 and while at St. John he organized St. Matthew Church in Newberry in June 1891.
The Reverend C. C. Benson became the next pastor in 1893. It was in 1895 that the U. S. Rubber Company purchased the land north of Memorial Avenue, between Rose and Cemetery Streets, and the Church was moved to its present location on the southeast corner of Grier Street and Memorial Avenue. Pastor Benson died in March of 1897 and the Reverend W. H. Harding became the pastor in October of the same year. He served until 1899. The Reverend L. L. Lohr served from 1900 until 1908. The present (former) parsonage was built at a cost of $4,500 during his ministry. |
February 1, 1908 the Reverend W. F. Rentz was installed as pastor. The present church edifice was built during 1916-1917 at a cost of about $50,000 and was dedicated December, 1917. Failing health caused Pastor Rentz to retire in August, 1919. The Reverend A. W. Smith became pastor in October, 1919 and served until 1932. During this time the educational unit was erected at a cost of about $40,000 ad was dedicated in February, 1924. The Reverend L. G. Shannon was installed as pastor in 1933 and served until 1961. During his pastorate the congregation went through a major depression, two major floods, and a world war. During these years extensive repairs and improvements were made to the entire church plant and all indebtedness cleared. The mortgage was burned in April, 1944.
The Reverend Jerome D. VanBrakle served as pastor from 1961 until 1965. Prior to his installation the parsonage was completely renovated and during his pastorate the sanctuary was redecorated and new carpet installed. Then in 1964 the congregation decided that the educational unit needed extensive renovation. Plans were prepared. However, work was not begun until after a call had been extended to the Reverend Charles W. Coates. The work was completed under his leadership and St. John had the facilities to accommodate its educational and fellowship program.
*Text taken from Dedication Bulletin June 1968
St. John Lutheran Church
St. John Lutheran Church