1870 Rev. Henry Christoph Senne lead in organizing St. John Lutheran church.

 

March 2, 1873    dedicated first church, a frame 18’ X 28’ structure, next to the south third of the west wall of this church – cost $308.75

 

March 30, 1879   dedicated second church, a stone 30’ X 50’  structure, on site of this church – a steeple 25’ high – cost $715.00

 

1883    gift of the present 513 pound bell – cost $144.00

 

1-12-1908   dedicated present church (built from April, 1907 to early January 1908). Cost $13,000 including altar, pulpit, baptismal font, pews, crucifix, candelabra, hymnboard, furnace, and carpets – paid in full at dedication.

 

June 13, 1909  dedicated 800-pipe pipe organ – cost $1,650.00 – first in county

 

Middle 1930’s communion rail and kneelers between chancel and sanctuary installed

 

November 3, 1946 dedicated Carrillonic Bells in thankfulness to God for safe return of all our WWII service men

 

February 20, 1949  dedicated the present pipe organ

 

1951 redecorated the interior of the church – painted blue

 

1969-1970 exterior of church sandblasted and water proofed – rewiring and present light fixtures installed – interior painted gold-green – gold leaf on white of altar, pulpit, and baptismal font – painted white and then touched up with gold in a few areas – chancel steps extended on both ends to present length – present carpet laid – south porch enclosed to accommodate a secretary’s office, a small bathroom, and storage place – original stained glass windows repaired, releaded, and reinforced (original strained glass from two front windows on both sides used to restore the five lower transept and two back windows.  The front windows were new stain glass.) Total cost $18,000 – Centennial observed September 27, 1976.            

 

Middle 1980’s  cushions placed on pews

 

1987  interior painted – Bible painted above chancel

 

May 1990  gold leaf installed on the altar, pulpit, and baptismal font restoring them to original appearance.

 

June 18, 1994  sealer applied to exterior

 

Summer 1994  stained glass windows repaired, releaded, reinforced, cleaned, and polished by foreman and crew and Shenandoah Studios of Stained Glass, Inc. branch in Rogers, Arkansas, working from their trailer shop – upper part of the large transept windows covered with lexan.

 

Spring 1995  church interior painted white and statue of Christ painted to original colors.

 

May 17, 1995  at 3:00 am Alma struck for twenty minutes by a 60 to 90 mile- per- hour west wind driven hail storm.  At day break Pastor and Mrs. Kellogg and members of the congregation found the lower nine windows shattered.  Glass pieces and hail stones were on pews and the floor to the east wall of the nave.  They picked up and saved many glass pieces and mopped from the water from the pews and floor.   The lexan covered windows were not damaged.  Pastor Kellogg called the glass company.  Workmen came and removed the windows and took them and the glass pieces to their shop in Iowa.  Congregation members boarded up the windows openings. 

 

June 1995  125 year anniversary celebrated.  Dr. Hoffmann and               preached great services.

 

End of July   restored windows were installed

 

1995     installation of new carillon bells which chimes on the half hour, strike on the hour, and play a hymn at noon and 6:00 p.m.

 

November 5, 1995  carillon bells dedicated to the glory of God in honor of all veterans of St. John Lutheran Church who served in WWI, WW II, Korean War, Vietnam, or Desert Storm.

  

Early summer 1996   glass doors installed at the entrance of our church.

 

1999    Now new carpet & ceramic tile in narthex

 

2004    New doors installed in east and west to stop wind current from blowing through the north alcove entry.

 

2006    Dedication of 10,000 square foot addition with bathrooms, church offices, fellowship area, and kitchen.

We invite you to become a part of the church today and a piece of its history tomorrow.