Our History
Let us take this opportunity to welcome you to St. John Lutheran Church in
Rocky Ridge, OH.Download a more comprehensive history HERE.
On April 8, 1888 the St. John parish in Rocky Ridge was organized by Pastor Kusthardt. First known by its German name “Evangelische-Lutherische St. Johannes Gemeinde” (Evangelical Lutheran St. John Congregation), services were held in the public school building while plans were finished to construct a church building. Most of the material and labor for the new building were donated by members who worked through the summer months to complete it. The new frame building was dedicated on November 5th, 1888.
On January 22, 1889, a fire completely destroyed the building. The group was not discouraged, for with their humble means and faith, they began the construction of a new brick building that very spring. In October 1889, the brick church was dedicated and was the ‘church home’ for the St. John congregation until moving day in 1967 into our present sanctuary.
The primary language of the services was German. The first public service in English occurred in 1906. At first, English services were held the last Sunday of every month until 1933, in which it was decided to have only one German service per month. During the early 1940s, the congregation felt there was no longer a need to provide services in both languages and English services prevailed from then on.
In the 1920s, a common service book was adopted, the interior of the church was redecorated and refinished, the church was wired for electricity, and an electric organ blower replaced the need for hand-pumping the organ, which was one of the tasks of the janitor. Another task of the janitor was the ringing of the church bell on Saturday evenings at six o’clock to remind the people of Sunday worship. The bell from the old church is now in the bell tower in front of the present sanctuary.
Until the basement of the brick church was completed in 1938, the town hall, members’ homes, and store rooms served as the meeting places for all organizations of the church. These organizations were not only an important part of the social life of the parishioners, but also an important arm of the church in which funds were raised to aid in carrying out the various needs and ministry of the church. Some organizations active during the 1920s and 1930s included the Young People’s Society (later called the Luther League and now Lutheran Youth Organization or LYO), the Ladies Aid, the Sister Society (which later became the Sewing Circle), and the Dartball team. These organizations (some with different names) are still ongoing in our church today.
Because the church building was aging and the
congregation was expanding and wishing to grow further, a planning committee
for the building of a new sanctuary was formed in 1957.
The new, present sanctuary with an education wing was finished and dedicated
on June 18th, 1967. The beautiful windows in
the nave are to remind us of the manifestations of God’s grace to
mankind,
His great gifts to man, and the works of His Son, Jesus Christ: Creation,
Covenants and Law, Incarnation, Aspects of Christ’s Life, The Sacraments,
Passion Period of Christ and His Resurrection. The idea
that originated the gable end windows is the concept of the heavens opening
up to receive all believers in Christ, as it is depicted in the book of
Revelation, written by St. John, after whom this church is named.
St. John Lutheran Church has more history than just that of its buildings. It is rich in the blessings of God and full of praises to his Son and our savior, Jesus Christ. May we always remember the gifts He has given.
“Today we salute the founders of
St. John. These early pioneers felt an urgent need
for a church home, where they might meet with God and through the means
of grace be kept strong in faith. It has been said –
The Black Swamp of Northwest Ohio could not have been cleared, drained,
and settled had it not been for the perseverance, thrift, and industry
of the German immigrants. However, over and above all
of these natural characteristics, it was their faith that enabled them
to overcome what must have seemed insurmountable obstacles, as out of
the wilderness and swamp they carved homes and a church which has
endured until this day.
Truly they built better than
they knew. Our prayer is this:
May this generation
prove worthy of its ancestry as it goes ‘Forward in Faith’ building,
ever building the Kingdom of God to His eternal glory.”
-Excerpt from Pastor Winterhoff’s sentiments on the 75th
anniversary of St. John
Pastorates
S. Kusthardt 1888-1890
W. Weltner 1890-1894
C. Graepp 1894-1899
E. Nest 1899-1906
G. Hueter 1908-1914
J. Kaufman 1915-1917
J. Drewelow 1917-1921
A.C. Misch 1921-1932
S.C. Siefkes 1932-1936
E.H. Kempfer 1936-1943
C.A. Steinert 1943-1945
H.E. Troge 1945-1948
J. Palm 1949-1952
E.H.E. Winterhoff 1953-1965
R. Huget 1966-1972
J. Kimpel 1972-1977
C. Rogers 1977-1980
E. Schafer 1981-1989
L. Knigga 1989-2000
H. Burkard 2013-2024
Download list of confirmation classes 1891-1949 HERE - 1950-Present HERE
Download a more comprehensive history HERE.