St. John's has a rich past that has led it to its vibrant present and holds promise for a significant future. Begun by German immigrants in 1870 the congregation has worshipped in four locations over its 137 plus years of mission and ministry in Springfield.

In its early years St. John's was served by ten pastors each of who were at the congregation for varying short periods of time. One significant part of the church's history is the formation of the Wartburg Synod in 1876 at St. John's. From that time St. John's has always held a position of strong leadership in the larger Church and is now part of the Central/Southern Illinois Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

In 1884 Pastor William Schulzke became Pastor of the congregation. Under his leadership for fifty-three and a half years the congregation grew rapidly in numbers and strong in program. In the middle of the 1930's Pastor William Roth, grandson of Pastor Schulzke was called as Pastor. Between Pastor Schulzke and Pastor Roth the two were pastors of the congregation for 102 years.

Over the years the congregation grew. A major expansion of the facility at College and Monroe provided for much needed program space in 1954. With the growth of the congregation new dimensions and worship opportunities became a significant part of its life. Other pastors serving St. John's included Pastor Lloyd Buss in 1958 - 1962 and Pastor Leonard Dahlgren from 1975 - 1978.

Due to the interest of the State of Illinois in an expansion of parking and space the congregation was faced with a difficult decision in the later part of the 1970's. Relocation was the hot topic debated at length. In addition the impending retirement of Pastor Roth in 1980 meant great changes in the life of St. John's. The congregation chose to relocate to the Washington Street site purchasing eight acres of land. Pastor Roth retired in the spring of 1980. In the summer of 1980 Pastor Peter Thomson was called as pastor, served during the relocation process and was instrumental in building the first site at the Washington Street location. Pastor Thomson served until his untimely death in 1996.

In 1982 ground was broken for the new facility and completed in November 1983. The congregation grew in numbers and program with the new facility. Pastor Jerene Houser served as one of the Pastors during the time of 1986 - 2006 as well. A Preschool was begun in 1990 and continues to be a vibrant and dynamic part of the congregation's ministry in the community.

Following Pastor Thomson's death in 1996 two Interim Senior Pastors - Pastor David Cox and Pastor John Kelley - served the congregation during the Call Process. In 1998 Pastor Paul Olson was called as Senior Pastor and continues as Lead Pastor. With the growth of the congregation and the needs for program space a Building Committee was formed in 2000. A major addition was completed in 2004 that provides for a diversity of program and space use.

In 2007 the congregation was involved in a major visioning process and adopted a Ministry Study Team Report. This report cast a mission and vision of the congregation for the next five years. Part of that report called for staffing to meet the present and anticipated needs. In January 2007 Pastor Philip Witkop, who also is an Emergency Room Physician, was called as a part-time Pastor of Small Groups and Spiritual Gifts. Pastor Greg Busboom was called in April 2007 as Pastor of Outreach and Discipleship.

Outreach and Discipleship are high priorities of the congregation for the upcoming years. Along with the continuing development of the worship and music program, community outreach the mission and vision of the congregation are focused for the future. Two other staffing positions will be highlighted in the next two years. In 2008 the congregation will be changing the role of Youth Director to the Director of Family Ministries and in 2009 the congregation will be changing the role of the Director of Christian Education to Director of Adult Education and Faith Nurture.

St. John's has had a rich history, but rejoices in its present ministries as it looks forward to a dynamic future.

Historical Notes

St. John's First Church Third and Washington Streets Springfield, Illinois

St. John's was organized June 18, 1870 at Wittmer's Hall at the corner of 8th and Washington Streets. The congregation worshiped temporarily in the former English Lutheran Church on the southwest corner of Sixth and Madison Streets. In November 1871, St. John's purchased from the First Presbyterian Church their church building located at the southeast corner of Third and Washington Streets, just east of the railroad tracks. This was the church where Abraham and Mary Lincoln worshiped. Lincoln's pew is the draped pew in the included picture. Lincoln rented the pew for $36 per year. The pew was the property of St. John's until the church was razed in 1912. Mr. John W. Bunn, Lincoln's friend, purchased Lincoln's pew from St. John's and returned it to the First Presbyterian Church where it is on display today. Lincoln never joined the church at 3rd and Washington, but attended with Mary. Mary became a member October 13, 1852 while Abe was in Urbana on the Old Eight Judicial Circuit. Tad Lincoln was baptized in this church on April 4, 1855 with Lincoln most likely in attendance since it was Tad's second birthday. Tad's funeral was held in the church on July 17, 1871. Abraham Lincoln made an address in this church on August 30, 1853, on the subject of Colonization, a movement of that day which called for purchasing the freedom for the slaves and furnishing a refuge home in Africa for those who desired to settle there. At the time of Lincoln's funeral in the state capitol building in Springfield a funeral service was also held in the church.

The church was built in 1842 and had serious maintenance problems as well as the frequent train traffic interrupting services. On July 24, 1911, the church building was sold and St. John's bought the lot on the southeast corner of College and Monroe Streets. On December 31, 1911, the cornerstone was laid, and the completed church was dedicated on October 12, 1912.

When the First Presbyterian Church sold St. John's their church in 1871, all of the church except for the bell was included. They took the bell and installed in their church at 7th and Capitol Streets. It still rings there today. In October 1873, St. John's purchased and installed a bell in its church at Third and Washington Streets. In 1912, this bell was moved to the new church at College and Monroe Streets. In 1983, the bell was removed from the College and Monroe church, refurbished it with an electric clapper and installed in the bell tower of the present church at 2477 West Washington in 1984. It still rings here today.

The corporate name “The First German Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John of Springfield, Illinois” was established at a meeting held at the Third and Washington Street church on January 14, 1912.

The corporate name of the church was changed to: “St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Of Springfield, Illinois” at a meeting held at the College and Monroe Street church on January 7, 1940.

Researched By John C. Stuemke Jr.

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