About St. John's Lutheran Church

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Worship Times

Traditional
Saturday at 5:00pm
Sunday at 8:15am

Contemporary
Sunday at 10:45
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St. John's Lutheran Church was organized in March of 1873 by the Reverend Charles Young and thirteen charter members. First services were held above the Tressin Hardware Store located at 200 N. Santa Fe. A year later the congregation moved to "the little mission church around the corner” in the 100 block of North 7th Street.

As membership grew, a new church would be built at 200 S. Santa Fe. To fund the construction, Pastor A. J. Hartsock created a "Buy My Bricks" campaign, raising over $10,000 by selling red cardboard bricks for ten cents. The church was dedicated in 1881 and served the congregation for thirty-five years.

The present red brick Gothic style church at 302 S. 7th was dedicated in March of 1917. The congregation met at the old church on Santa Fe Avenue and marched together to the new building for the first worship service.

Since 1945 St. John's has participated in Lutheran World Relief causes, including constructing quilts which are donated locally and worldwide. Last year the quilting group donated 98 quilts used for bedding, tents, and floor coverings for people in need. Other outreach ministries include a community Blessing Box, children's school kits, mitten drives, and support for Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank.

Faced with challenges these last 150 years, St John’s Lutheran Church has met them with faith and confidence. The earliest of these hardships being the pioneers' economic struggles, followed by two world wars, the Great Depression and two global pandemics. No doubt future challenges will be met with the same commitment to loving God and loving neighbor.