A day of celebration is planned for St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on Sunday, Oct. 11 for its 225th Anniversary. The first church was built of logs and on February 1790, was consecrated as a church of God under the title The United Evangelical Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed St. John’s Church in the village of Hamburg. That church was used for public worship for 21 years until the building became too small.
A new church was built of stone with the cornerstone laid in 1811 but for want of means was not finished until 1815. To build the church, $3000 was raised by conducting a lottery authorized by the State Legislature.
The third St. John’s Church cornerstone was laid in 1857. The two congregations worshipped in this church until Sunday, April 3, 1898. On the following day, the church was destroyed. A fire starting in the Bicycle Works spread flying embers, which set fire to the roof of the church. By the afternoon, there was nothing left but smoldering ruins.
Immediately after the fire, the Lutheran and Reformed Churches voted to separate, and each would build there own house of worship. On a Sunday in September 1898, the cornerstone was laid for the new St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at Church & Pine Streets with impressive services led by Rev. H.C. Kline.
At a cost of $15,549, the church was constructed of yellow pressed brick with grey sandstone trim. The first services were held on December 25, 1898 in the Assembly Room, but by Sunday, May 21, 1899, the beautiful new House of Worship was consecrated.
Many improvements and changes have been made over the years, with the latest one completed in April 2015 with the repainting of the ceilings and walls, cleaning of the two frescoes, installing of new carpeting and the addition of a free standing alter. The choir loft was also redesigned, as well as the altar area, and a new sound board was installed.
Attending the 225th Anniversary will be Bishop Samuel R. Zeiser of the Northeastern PA Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and several other guests of honor. A dinner will be held at Hummel’s in Lenhartsville after the service for fellowship and renewing old acquaintances.
