NEGenWeb Project

PLATTE COUNTY, NEBRASKA
ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH (MISSOURI SYNOD) HISTORY

The first settlers in the St. John's community in the Stearns Prairie precinct, now known as Grand Prairie Township, emigrated from Germany in 1871 and worshipped at Christ Lutheran Church. On January 5, 1879 the first meeting for organizing a congregation was held in the Spoerry school house. Johann H. Hellbusch deeded five acres and a church was erected in 1884. A new church was built in 1897, which still forms the nave of the present church. The former church then became the first school.

Columbus Telegram - July 1931

The need for larger quarters to conduct services became necessary as the congregation continued to grow and in 1898 a larger building was erected, and again in 1916 an addition was built which englarged the building to its present capacity, and it was also at that time that a pipe organ was installed in the church.
...
Up until 1903 the pastor also had charge of the school work, but in that year a teacher was employed in the person of Prof. F.W. Meinke. He had charge of the schol until 1915 and was followed by Prof. J. Luehmann and Prof. R. Baeder. At the present time there are 75 children enrolled in the school and two teachers are employed--Prof. C. Merz and Miss M. Bakenhus.

The present membership of the congregation is nearly four hundred, of whom 72 are voting members. The congregation is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other states ...


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