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St. John’s Plans for 125th Anniversary
Souvenir Ornaments and History Booklets, including pictures of the past 125 years and a list of all confirmands since 1881, are still available to purchase-- email or call the church stjohns@megavision.com 402-564-8707.
Steering committee members for the celebration are: Cheryl Brewer, Terry and Marlene Engel, Barb Koch, Chris Luchsinger, Kaylene Luedtke, Elda Reinhardt, Keith Runge and Pastor Jark-Swain. Sub-committee chairman’s are: Pat Cuda, Brad Hrouda, Carylyn Runge, Shirley Schmid and Kim Scriven.
St. John’s Lutheran Church was established October 9, 1881 with the adoption of a constitution. The first councilmen were Henry Rickert, Henry Schutte and Henry Lusche with the first pastor being the Rev. Christopher Moessner.
Because most of the early immigrants were of German descent, services were conducted in German from the establishment of the church until 1925, when part of the service was conducted in English. By 1943, all services were conducted in English.
One month after the constitution was adopted, the group dedicated a church and parsonage; seven years later a schoolhouse was added and 12 years later, bells were added.
In 1944 and 1947, additions were made, including an addition on the east side of the church, relocation of the bell tower and dedication of a new brick-veneered parsonage. A copper steeple was added to the bell tower in 1966; a church sign was erected near the road in 1976. Next History Page
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