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This historical account of St. John's was taken from the pages of two
booklets: St. John's Church History 1872-1874, written by George R. Schoedinger,
Sr. and Helen M Schoedinger (their ancestor, Philip Schoedinger served on the
first church council), and One Hundred Twenty-five Years, complied and written
by Rev. Donald M. Yaekle and Rev. Paul Baumer.
St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church United Church of Christ
St. John's has its roots deep in the soil of the southern edge of downtown Columbus. Over the past 131 years, its branches have grown to reach around the world. Even though St. John's has a rich heritage and strong traditions, it strives to give new bloom to fresh ideas and have a faithful eye into the future.
The St. John's seed was planted in June of 1872 when 20 men met in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bleile, Sr. to discuss the formation of new German Evangelical Protestant Church. The records say they "enthusiastically joined hands" to proceed. These men had been denied the spiritual blessing of other established churches in Columbus because of the group's membership in secret societies (particularly the Masons).
Word went out to those of German descent, and on July 16, 1872 a larger group met in the old City Hall (possibly the same building that housed the Central or (Old Market). At this meeting the constitution was adopted and the name "St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church" was chosen.
Not having any affiliation with any denominational organization, they needed to advertise for a pastor through the newspapers. The congregation, worshiping in the Market or City Hall, extended a call to the Rev. Purpus to serve as the first pastor of St. John's. He began his ministry on December 1, 1872.
For a year and a half, worship services were held at the United Brethren Church at Town and Carpenter Street. During this time the congregation purchased a lot on East Mound Street for $5,500 and contracted with Philip Schlapp to draw plans for a new church building. The cornerstone of the first St. John's church building (see photo) was laid July 28, 1873. Dedication of the church was on May 3, 1874. This building had a seating capacity of approximately 800. There were 150 parishioners on the church rolls,100 enrolled in Sunday School, and a debt
of $20,000.00 -- a sizable sum for those days.
Over the next five years little was done to lessen the debt of construction, and membership had decreased to 119. Rev. Purpus resigned in June of 1879 to return to Germany. The Rev. J.J. Weiss assumed the duties of pastor in August, 1879. A house to house canvas was made among the membership to bring the debt to $16,705. Membership in 1879 was recorded at 210.
On the recommendation of Pastor Weiss, St. John's joined the Columbus Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in 1881. For one year they remained in this association. In 1882, having liquidated all their obligations to the Presbytery, they withdrew to become again an independent congregation.
Historically, St John's is an independent congregation, and gives that same independence to its members. Members are not required to assent to a particular statement of faith in order to belong to the congregation other than the original proclamation of the Christian Church, which affirms Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Upon Rev. Weiss' resignation in 1884 to join the Ohio Synod of the Lutheran Church, the congregation called Rev. Carl Ackerman to assume the duties of pastor on January 1885. He would serve St. John's for twelve years. There was some renovation and a better lighting system installed during this period.
According to these aforementioned historical recordings, a new era dawned on St. John's with the call of Rev. Jacob Pister on December 3, 1896. It was under his ministry that the Sunday School was reorganized. Both enrollment and attendance increased at a rapid rate. The average attendance in 1897 was 188. By April, 1899 it had increased to 590 with 71 teachers. The young people in the church organized a Christian Endeavor Society in 1897. English language anthems and evening services were introduced. Church membership reached 777 by the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary. And the debt was paid in full on May 7, 1899.
A personal note about Rev. Pister is found in the autobiography of Eddie Rickenbacher, son of John Richenbacher, first President of the congregation (Prentice-Hall, 1967, p. 8). Richenbacher, a World War I ace, while on a special mission for the United States government in World War II was lost at sea for 24 days. He became an executive of General Motors and Eastern Airlines. He writes: "On Sunday, we all dressed up in our best to attend Sunday school services and, when we were old enough, morning worship at St. John's Church in the south end of Columbus. The pastor of the church was Rev. Jacob Pister, one of the most forthright and inspiring individuals I have ever known. He christened me, and years later performed my wedding ceremony."
In 1901 a dream of the founders became a reality. A building to house the Sunday School and social activities was started. The cornerstone bearing the inscription, "Jesus Christus der Rechte Eckstein" (Jesus Christ the true cornerstone), was laid September 27, 1901 and the building was dedicated in March 1902.
A gradual change from German to English started to take place. At first English services were held on Sunday evenings. By 1909 the first Sunday of the month was in English.
The Mary-Martha Missionary Society was organized in the 1907 and the Brotherhood was organized in 1909. A new organ was installed by the Moeller Organ Co. of Hagerstown, Maryland in 1910 at a cost of $7,700. This organ was the largest and finest in the city of Columbus.
Pastor Pister left St. John's in 1911 to answer a call to St. Paul's Church, Chicago. A call was then extended to Rev. Timotheus Lehmann. He was installed July 16, 1911. Under his leadership the church grew numerically as well as spiritually. Sunday School enrollment rose to 1,083 in 1916, with an average attendance of 753 per Sunday. Church enrollment rose to 1,553 in 1927.
In 1914 the church called Miss Margaret Kunzmann as Parish Worker. She served St. John's more than 25 years. Her duties were to assist the Pastor in calling on the sick, the aged, and others.
Enthusiasm running high, in 1917 the congregation decided to remodel the now 43 -year old building. But after due consideration it was deemed unwise to remodel. The congregation voted to build a new church on the site of the old. The firm of Miller and Reeves was retained as architects. Plans were drawn for a building to cost about $126,000. At a later meeting the congregation decided that the building, as planned, would not be large enough. As all available ground was being used, it was necessary to purchase two lots east of the church and have the alley moved. An opportunity presented itself to purchase the lot west of the church, which increased the total frontage to about 133 feet. Plans
were accepted and the last service was held in the old church on Easter Sunday, 1924, some seven years from the original decision to remodel.
During this period of planning for a new building, on June 23, 1923 St. John's officially joined the Evangelical Synod of North America at Kenton, Ohio, on June 23. Rev. Lehmann left for a tour of the denominational missions in India on September 24, returning in time for the Easter service in 1924.
Yet another cornerstone was laid on Sunday, August 3, 1924, bearing the inscription: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another. 1872-1924."
The architecture in a medieval European Romanesque academic revival by Reeves and Miller, is in the traditional cruciform shape. Materials were brought to the site in-the-rough and were shaped to fit as they were built into the church.
The building, which is the present structure, was completed in October 25, 1925 with a seating capacity of almost 1,200. This number would decrease over the years as improvements were made to the sanctuary.
On October 4, 1925 Miss Helen Schoedinger was engaged as Director of Religious Education, a position which she held until May 13, 1931 when she resigned because of the ill health of her mother.
Ladies' and men's organizations were active in support of the church, providing fellowship and serving mission. An active Men's Brotherhood sponsored the annual Brotherhood Banquet which, because of the location of the church near the Franklin County offices and the downtown business and civic centers, became one of the more popular annual community events, the dining room overflowing with distinguished visitors and guests.
The annual Sunday School picnics were a special event. Hundreds of children, teachers, church members and friends marched down High Street in costumes and riding decorated wagons, bicycles and motor vehicles to Schiller Park. Barrels of lemonade were consumed and all sorts of food, games and contests were enjoyed. A band concert and worship service would end the festivities of the day. It is recorded that 2,500 persons attended the picnic in 1930.
St. John's sponsored Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops and athletic teams, particularly bowling and basketball. City League trophies were won by St. John's teams throughout the 1920's and in 1930.
After seventeen years of service at St. John's Rev. Lehmann resigned in January 1928 to become the president of Elmhurst College. On October 23, 1928 the Rev. Gottieb Siegenthaler was installed as the sixth pastor of St. John's.
With membership peaking in 1929 at 1,727, the church, as the world, was about to enter into the period known as the Great Depression. Yet, during the worst of these years, almost $50,000 was paid on the debt for the new church building.
The mortgage to Franklin Savings and Loan was burned on September 25, 1932, leaving an indebtedness of $36,000 in bonds owned largely by members of the congregation.
The union of the Evangelical Synod and the Reformed Church was consummated June 26, 1934. The name of the new body was the Evangelical and Reformed Church.
With the church membership now at 1,527, Rev. Siegnthaler resigned in January 1935 to assume the pastorate of St. Matthew's in Baltimore. A call was made to Rev. Arnold E. Klick. He was installed September 22, 1935.
A note-burning ceremony took place June 15, 1941 due, in great measure, to the untiring efforts of Mr Robert Rausch, in his capacity as treasurer of the congregation for four years, and president of the congregation for two years.
Others would serve the church at this time. Adolph Baer, Superintendent of the Sunday School for 28 years, died in 1943. Charles Lucks assumed the position, serving until 1951. In 1946 Rev. Paul Kiewit was called as associate pastor and assumed his duties on September 1, 1946. Rev. Mary Lou Bischman was called as assistant pastor from 1951 to1954. Mrs. Lillian Baer Kroff served the duties of Superintendent of the Sunday School 1951 to 1953.
Above the altar is a large carved wood sculpture. This piece, called a reredos (from the Latin for "back" or "behind"), was carved in Germany from walnut and installed in the church in 1953 as a memorial to Mrs. George Reibel from her husband. A new organ was also installed at this time at a cost of $38,000.
Rev. Klick resigned in December 1953 to enter the national mission field by starting the congregation of Western Hills, Omaha, Nebraska. The Rev. Arthur Detwiler was installed on September 13, 1954. In 1957 St. John's called Rev. Ralph E. Schluer to become the associate pastor.
The merger of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches had been completed in 1957, forming the United Church of Christ. The Uniting General Synod of the United Church of Christ met on June 26, 1958.
In 1959 Rev. Detwiller resigned in October to accept a call in Texas. Mrs. Elmer Krauss became Superintendent of the Sunday School and served into 1962.
Rev. Schluer was called to become Senior Pastor of St. John's in May 1960. In that same year, by amendment to the Constitution of St. John's, the Board of Christian Education was created. Also the first women were elected to Consistory, two being elected to be deacons.
Pastor William F. von Brauchitsch was called to be the Associate Pastor and installed on December 3, 1961.
In 1962 Carl Hingst became the Sunday School Superintendent. On November 14, 1962, Pastor Ralph Schluer died while serving as Senior Pastor of St. John's at the age of 51. Then, on Palm Sunday, April 7, 1963, "the dream of our founders" -- what was called "the Chapel" (Christian Education Building) -- was partially destroyed by fire. Pastor Leroy Kutz, Jr. was called to the Senior Pastor
position and began his ministry July 7, 1963. On August 18, 1963 Martha Teeters was commissioned to full-time ministry in the United Church of Christ.
After a settlement with the insurance company for fire damage, plans were made to rebuild the Christian Education Building. The grand total of pledges reported by March 29, 1964 was $186,916.30. George Stegmiller was the architect and Garwick & Ross the general contractors for the new building. The ground-breaking service was held on September 13, with Dr. Timothy Lehmann as speaker. Don Weatherby became the Superintendent of the Sunday School.
Three services in 1965 would mark the progress of building of the new Christian Education Building. On February 28 came the Reichtfest (topping ceremony); on Palm Sunday, April 11, the cornerstone laying; and September 12, the dedication.
On July 13, 1968, John and Marjorie Steva and family left to serve as missionaries to Honduras. A year later the Young Adult Fellowship begun a
project to raise money to ship a large number of farm animals to the Steva Mission.
In 1966 was the introduction of the Triune Concert Series, a musical mission to the community featuring central Ohio musicians. May Schwarz was called to be the Minister of Music of St. John's Church in 1969. After more than 34 years May is still serving St. John's and the community with her gift of music. Under her leadership, St. John's has become well known as one of the premier church music ministries in Columbus, and its music program is the hallmark by which St. John's is known in the Columbus area. In 2003 she was honored as one of the outstanding music ministers in the country.
1966 also saw the dedication of the library-lounge, installation of the carillon, and, with the leadership of Arthur and Fay Welch and associate pastor William von Brauchitsch, the organization of the Senior Christian Fellowship.
On October 14, 1986 Pastor von Brauchitsch resigned as associate pastor, effective December 31, 1968. Pastor Bill, as he was known, would become Pastor of Evangelism, a part-time position, on August 31, 1969. He died in June, 2000 at the age of 97.
Renovation of the sanctuary and construction of a narthex began in April 1971 and was completed in June. That summer and fall funds were raised for the Development Fund of United Church Homes, Inc.
Pastor Kutz resigned his position as Senior Pastor to accept a call to serve as Senior Minister of First Congregational Church of Port Huron, Michigan, on September 30,1973.
On June 16, 1974 Rev. Donald W Gorbett began his ministry as senior pastor. Upon his resignation Pastor Paul E. Baumer was called to ministry.
During the 1980's, like many churches in downtown Columbus, the congregation began a long-term decline in membership. Nonetheless the sanctuary was refurbished during the summer of 1987 and an elevator was added to the building in 1995. The congregation has entered into several community ministries including ministries with homeless families, in 1986 becoming a partner in Open Church, and in 1995 becoming a partner with First AME Zion Church in the Interfaith Hospitality Network. The congregation participated in the Downtown Council of Churches.
In 2002, Barbara McClure retired as Sunday School superintendent after serving in that capacity for 27 years. Pastor Paul Baumer retired and after a short time Pastor Kathy Dwyer came to St. John's Church. During Pastor Dwyer's tenure St.John's Church became a member of the United Church of Christ denomination. After obtaining her Doctor of Ministry degree Pastor Dwyer left to become senior pastor at Rock Spring Congregational Church UCC in Arlington, VA.
In 2012, Pastor Virginia Lohmann Bauman was called as our church's pastor. (For Pastor Gini's bio click here}
booklets: St. John's Church History 1872-1874, written by George R. Schoedinger,
Sr. and Helen M Schoedinger (their ancestor, Philip Schoedinger served on the
first church council), and One Hundred Twenty-five Years, complied and written
by Rev. Donald M. Yaekle and Rev. Paul Baumer.
St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church United Church of Christ
St. John's has its roots deep in the soil of the southern edge of downtown Columbus. Over the past 131 years, its branches have grown to reach around the world. Even though St. John's has a rich heritage and strong traditions, it strives to give new bloom to fresh ideas and have a faithful eye into the future.
The St. John's seed was planted in June of 1872 when 20 men met in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bleile, Sr. to discuss the formation of new German Evangelical Protestant Church. The records say they "enthusiastically joined hands" to proceed. These men had been denied the spiritual blessing of other established churches in Columbus because of the group's membership in secret societies (particularly the Masons).
Word went out to those of German descent, and on July 16, 1872 a larger group met in the old City Hall (possibly the same building that housed the Central or (Old Market). At this meeting the constitution was adopted and the name "St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church" was chosen.
Not having any affiliation with any denominational organization, they needed to advertise for a pastor through the newspapers. The congregation, worshiping in the Market or City Hall, extended a call to the Rev. Purpus to serve as the first pastor of St. John's. He began his ministry on December 1, 1872.
For a year and a half, worship services were held at the United Brethren Church at Town and Carpenter Street. During this time the congregation purchased a lot on East Mound Street for $5,500 and contracted with Philip Schlapp to draw plans for a new church building. The cornerstone of the first St. John's church building (see photo) was laid July 28, 1873. Dedication of the church was on May 3, 1874. This building had a seating capacity of approximately 800. There were 150 parishioners on the church rolls,100 enrolled in Sunday School, and a debt
of $20,000.00 -- a sizable sum for those days.
Over the next five years little was done to lessen the debt of construction, and membership had decreased to 119. Rev. Purpus resigned in June of 1879 to return to Germany. The Rev. J.J. Weiss assumed the duties of pastor in August, 1879. A house to house canvas was made among the membership to bring the debt to $16,705. Membership in 1879 was recorded at 210.
On the recommendation of Pastor Weiss, St. John's joined the Columbus Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in 1881. For one year they remained in this association. In 1882, having liquidated all their obligations to the Presbytery, they withdrew to become again an independent congregation.
Historically, St John's is an independent congregation, and gives that same independence to its members. Members are not required to assent to a particular statement of faith in order to belong to the congregation other than the original proclamation of the Christian Church, which affirms Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Upon Rev. Weiss' resignation in 1884 to join the Ohio Synod of the Lutheran Church, the congregation called Rev. Carl Ackerman to assume the duties of pastor on January 1885. He would serve St. John's for twelve years. There was some renovation and a better lighting system installed during this period.
According to these aforementioned historical recordings, a new era dawned on St. John's with the call of Rev. Jacob Pister on December 3, 1896. It was under his ministry that the Sunday School was reorganized. Both enrollment and attendance increased at a rapid rate. The average attendance in 1897 was 188. By April, 1899 it had increased to 590 with 71 teachers. The young people in the church organized a Christian Endeavor Society in 1897. English language anthems and evening services were introduced. Church membership reached 777 by the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary. And the debt was paid in full on May 7, 1899.
A personal note about Rev. Pister is found in the autobiography of Eddie Rickenbacher, son of John Richenbacher, first President of the congregation (Prentice-Hall, 1967, p. 8). Richenbacher, a World War I ace, while on a special mission for the United States government in World War II was lost at sea for 24 days. He became an executive of General Motors and Eastern Airlines. He writes: "On Sunday, we all dressed up in our best to attend Sunday school services and, when we were old enough, morning worship at St. John's Church in the south end of Columbus. The pastor of the church was Rev. Jacob Pister, one of the most forthright and inspiring individuals I have ever known. He christened me, and years later performed my wedding ceremony."
In 1901 a dream of the founders became a reality. A building to house the Sunday School and social activities was started. The cornerstone bearing the inscription, "Jesus Christus der Rechte Eckstein" (Jesus Christ the true cornerstone), was laid September 27, 1901 and the building was dedicated in March 1902.
A gradual change from German to English started to take place. At first English services were held on Sunday evenings. By 1909 the first Sunday of the month was in English.
The Mary-Martha Missionary Society was organized in the 1907 and the Brotherhood was organized in 1909. A new organ was installed by the Moeller Organ Co. of Hagerstown, Maryland in 1910 at a cost of $7,700. This organ was the largest and finest in the city of Columbus.
Pastor Pister left St. John's in 1911 to answer a call to St. Paul's Church, Chicago. A call was then extended to Rev. Timotheus Lehmann. He was installed July 16, 1911. Under his leadership the church grew numerically as well as spiritually. Sunday School enrollment rose to 1,083 in 1916, with an average attendance of 753 per Sunday. Church enrollment rose to 1,553 in 1927.
In 1914 the church called Miss Margaret Kunzmann as Parish Worker. She served St. John's more than 25 years. Her duties were to assist the Pastor in calling on the sick, the aged, and others.
Enthusiasm running high, in 1917 the congregation decided to remodel the now 43 -year old building. But after due consideration it was deemed unwise to remodel. The congregation voted to build a new church on the site of the old. The firm of Miller and Reeves was retained as architects. Plans were drawn for a building to cost about $126,000. At a later meeting the congregation decided that the building, as planned, would not be large enough. As all available ground was being used, it was necessary to purchase two lots east of the church and have the alley moved. An opportunity presented itself to purchase the lot west of the church, which increased the total frontage to about 133 feet. Plans
were accepted and the last service was held in the old church on Easter Sunday, 1924, some seven years from the original decision to remodel.
During this period of planning for a new building, on June 23, 1923 St. John's officially joined the Evangelical Synod of North America at Kenton, Ohio, on June 23. Rev. Lehmann left for a tour of the denominational missions in India on September 24, returning in time for the Easter service in 1924.
Yet another cornerstone was laid on Sunday, August 3, 1924, bearing the inscription: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another. 1872-1924."
The architecture in a medieval European Romanesque academic revival by Reeves and Miller, is in the traditional cruciform shape. Materials were brought to the site in-the-rough and were shaped to fit as they were built into the church.
The building, which is the present structure, was completed in October 25, 1925 with a seating capacity of almost 1,200. This number would decrease over the years as improvements were made to the sanctuary.
On October 4, 1925 Miss Helen Schoedinger was engaged as Director of Religious Education, a position which she held until May 13, 1931 when she resigned because of the ill health of her mother.
Ladies' and men's organizations were active in support of the church, providing fellowship and serving mission. An active Men's Brotherhood sponsored the annual Brotherhood Banquet which, because of the location of the church near the Franklin County offices and the downtown business and civic centers, became one of the more popular annual community events, the dining room overflowing with distinguished visitors and guests.
The annual Sunday School picnics were a special event. Hundreds of children, teachers, church members and friends marched down High Street in costumes and riding decorated wagons, bicycles and motor vehicles to Schiller Park. Barrels of lemonade were consumed and all sorts of food, games and contests were enjoyed. A band concert and worship service would end the festivities of the day. It is recorded that 2,500 persons attended the picnic in 1930.
St. John's sponsored Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops and athletic teams, particularly bowling and basketball. City League trophies were won by St. John's teams throughout the 1920's and in 1930.
After seventeen years of service at St. John's Rev. Lehmann resigned in January 1928 to become the president of Elmhurst College. On October 23, 1928 the Rev. Gottieb Siegenthaler was installed as the sixth pastor of St. John's.
With membership peaking in 1929 at 1,727, the church, as the world, was about to enter into the period known as the Great Depression. Yet, during the worst of these years, almost $50,000 was paid on the debt for the new church building.
The mortgage to Franklin Savings and Loan was burned on September 25, 1932, leaving an indebtedness of $36,000 in bonds owned largely by members of the congregation.
The union of the Evangelical Synod and the Reformed Church was consummated June 26, 1934. The name of the new body was the Evangelical and Reformed Church.
With the church membership now at 1,527, Rev. Siegnthaler resigned in January 1935 to assume the pastorate of St. Matthew's in Baltimore. A call was made to Rev. Arnold E. Klick. He was installed September 22, 1935.
A note-burning ceremony took place June 15, 1941 due, in great measure, to the untiring efforts of Mr Robert Rausch, in his capacity as treasurer of the congregation for four years, and president of the congregation for two years.
Others would serve the church at this time. Adolph Baer, Superintendent of the Sunday School for 28 years, died in 1943. Charles Lucks assumed the position, serving until 1951. In 1946 Rev. Paul Kiewit was called as associate pastor and assumed his duties on September 1, 1946. Rev. Mary Lou Bischman was called as assistant pastor from 1951 to1954. Mrs. Lillian Baer Kroff served the duties of Superintendent of the Sunday School 1951 to 1953.
Above the altar is a large carved wood sculpture. This piece, called a reredos (from the Latin for "back" or "behind"), was carved in Germany from walnut and installed in the church in 1953 as a memorial to Mrs. George Reibel from her husband. A new organ was also installed at this time at a cost of $38,000.
Rev. Klick resigned in December 1953 to enter the national mission field by starting the congregation of Western Hills, Omaha, Nebraska. The Rev. Arthur Detwiler was installed on September 13, 1954. In 1957 St. John's called Rev. Ralph E. Schluer to become the associate pastor.
The merger of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches had been completed in 1957, forming the United Church of Christ. The Uniting General Synod of the United Church of Christ met on June 26, 1958.
In 1959 Rev. Detwiller resigned in October to accept a call in Texas. Mrs. Elmer Krauss became Superintendent of the Sunday School and served into 1962.
Rev. Schluer was called to become Senior Pastor of St. John's in May 1960. In that same year, by amendment to the Constitution of St. John's, the Board of Christian Education was created. Also the first women were elected to Consistory, two being elected to be deacons.
Pastor William F. von Brauchitsch was called to be the Associate Pastor and installed on December 3, 1961.
In 1962 Carl Hingst became the Sunday School Superintendent. On November 14, 1962, Pastor Ralph Schluer died while serving as Senior Pastor of St. John's at the age of 51. Then, on Palm Sunday, April 7, 1963, "the dream of our founders" -- what was called "the Chapel" (Christian Education Building) -- was partially destroyed by fire. Pastor Leroy Kutz, Jr. was called to the Senior Pastor
position and began his ministry July 7, 1963. On August 18, 1963 Martha Teeters was commissioned to full-time ministry in the United Church of Christ.
After a settlement with the insurance company for fire damage, plans were made to rebuild the Christian Education Building. The grand total of pledges reported by March 29, 1964 was $186,916.30. George Stegmiller was the architect and Garwick & Ross the general contractors for the new building. The ground-breaking service was held on September 13, with Dr. Timothy Lehmann as speaker. Don Weatherby became the Superintendent of the Sunday School.
Three services in 1965 would mark the progress of building of the new Christian Education Building. On February 28 came the Reichtfest (topping ceremony); on Palm Sunday, April 11, the cornerstone laying; and September 12, the dedication.
On July 13, 1968, John and Marjorie Steva and family left to serve as missionaries to Honduras. A year later the Young Adult Fellowship begun a
project to raise money to ship a large number of farm animals to the Steva Mission.
In 1966 was the introduction of the Triune Concert Series, a musical mission to the community featuring central Ohio musicians. May Schwarz was called to be the Minister of Music of St. John's Church in 1969. After more than 34 years May is still serving St. John's and the community with her gift of music. Under her leadership, St. John's has become well known as one of the premier church music ministries in Columbus, and its music program is the hallmark by which St. John's is known in the Columbus area. In 2003 she was honored as one of the outstanding music ministers in the country.
1966 also saw the dedication of the library-lounge, installation of the carillon, and, with the leadership of Arthur and Fay Welch and associate pastor William von Brauchitsch, the organization of the Senior Christian Fellowship.
On October 14, 1986 Pastor von Brauchitsch resigned as associate pastor, effective December 31, 1968. Pastor Bill, as he was known, would become Pastor of Evangelism, a part-time position, on August 31, 1969. He died in June, 2000 at the age of 97.
Renovation of the sanctuary and construction of a narthex began in April 1971 and was completed in June. That summer and fall funds were raised for the Development Fund of United Church Homes, Inc.
Pastor Kutz resigned his position as Senior Pastor to accept a call to serve as Senior Minister of First Congregational Church of Port Huron, Michigan, on September 30,1973.
On June 16, 1974 Rev. Donald W Gorbett began his ministry as senior pastor. Upon his resignation Pastor Paul E. Baumer was called to ministry.
During the 1980's, like many churches in downtown Columbus, the congregation began a long-term decline in membership. Nonetheless the sanctuary was refurbished during the summer of 1987 and an elevator was added to the building in 1995. The congregation has entered into several community ministries including ministries with homeless families, in 1986 becoming a partner in Open Church, and in 1995 becoming a partner with First AME Zion Church in the Interfaith Hospitality Network. The congregation participated in the Downtown Council of Churches.
In 2002, Barbara McClure retired as Sunday School superintendent after serving in that capacity for 27 years. Pastor Paul Baumer retired and after a short time Pastor Kathy Dwyer came to St. John's Church. During Pastor Dwyer's tenure St.John's Church became a member of the United Church of Christ denomination. After obtaining her Doctor of Ministry degree Pastor Dwyer left to become senior pastor at Rock Spring Congregational Church UCC in Arlington, VA.
In 2012, Pastor Virginia Lohmann Bauman was called as our church's pastor. (For Pastor Gini's bio click here}