If you are new to the community and are looking for a place of worship and fellowship for you and your family, we invite you to Please take a few minutes to learn about our Church's History. This tapestry shows our Church and other historic buildings in our community
It was the summer of 1871. Through the efforts of people living in the vicinity of the present church, of both Luthe
ran and Reformed traditions, a meeting was held to discuss the possibility of organizing separate
congregations and building a union church. Those organizing the new church were members of Salem Church in Gilbert, which was itself engaged in building a new church at the time. The following winter, on February 17, 1872, it was resolved that a frame structure with a steeple be erected. The cornerstone was laid on June 23, 1872, at which time services were held in a small grove a short distance from the church. The church lot and cemetery grounds were purchased from Jacob Dorshimer. On May 6, 1885, Rev. Strauss, E. Gearhart, and R. High met to draft a constitution favoring the formation of a Reformed congregation only. On July 4, 1885, The Lutherans adopted a separate constitution at their congregation meeting. This dissolved the Union Sunday School which had been operating. Lutheran Sunday School classes were first held on July 5, 1885. At a joint meeting held on May 6, it was resolved that the interior of the church be repaired and remodeled. The trustees were authorized to have the work properly done. On September 25, 1892. B. Shupp and Rev. F. W. Smith officiated at the rededication service. The cost of repairs was $300. The walls were nicely papered. The church had two reed organs, one for each congregation. According to an 1898 history of the Wilkes-Barre Conference of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania and Adjacent States, St. John’s had a membership of 90. Public worship services were held every two weeks. There were two English services to one German service. Holy Communion was held twice yearly, in the fall and the spring with Confirmation held at the fall Communion. PA150412A.jpg
Dues were paid semi-annually at Communion time with current yearly receipts and expenses amounting to about $150. Collections for missions and synodical purpose were received at the chief festivals. On September 6, 1925, a dedication was held for a new piano. new seats, and other improvements. The painting that hangs above the Altar was also added in 1925. Titled “The Ascension,” it was painted by Rev. William Euchler, a former pastor. In 1934, the Ladies Aid built a hall in back of the church for quilting and holding meetings. The latest building addition Sunday School rooms added in 1967. Handicap access ramps were added in the front and rear, in the summer of 1995. The Union Church arrangement at St. John’s contued through 1964 with Lutherans worshipping in the mornings and the Reformed congregation, by then known as St. John’s United Church of Christ, in the afternoon. The U.C.C. congregation disbanded in 1966 voting to consolidate with the Effort United Methodist Church although some members remained at St. John’s as Lutherans. The Lutheran congregation at St. John’s was served by a pastor as part of a four-point charge including Salem, Gilbert; St. Paul’s, Kresgeville; and St. Matthews’s Kunkletown. The Lutheran pastor presided at worship at two of the four churches each Sunday. A similar situation existed in the Reformed churches so that St. John’s had worship each Sunday, alternating between t the Lutheran and the Reformed. In 1975 St. John’s became a single congregation served part-time by a retired pastor under Synodical appointment. In 1987 the congregation voted to call their first full-time pastor, Rev. Timothy McIntosh. For two years, 1989-90 and 1990-91, along with Zion Untied Lutheran Church, Brodheadsville and Salem-St. Paul’s’ Kresgeville, St. John’s shared the services of youth interns doing full-time youth ministry in the community.
