History of St. John's Lutheran Church
A Brief History of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church has a
rich history. The first
Pennsylvania-German settlers came to Erie County in 1801 in significant numbers
from eastern Pennsylvania. The first recorded visit by a Lutheran pastor was by
the Rev. Philip Muckenhaupt who traveled from Meadville on horseback. The
official records of the congregation date back to August 8, 1808 when 20
children and an adult were baptized and communion was celebrated. Traveling missionaries served the church for many years. A new era
dawned for the congregation when a constitution was signed in 1835, at which
time the Rev. Carl Stohlmann was called to St. John’s. It was during his
pastorate that Conrad Braun, Jr. deeded the square where the church now stands
to the congregation.
As the congregation grew, several
pastors served St. John’s for short periods of time. In 1848 it was reported
that over 300 persons communed at one time and in 1855 the number had grown to
465 communicants and 150 Sunday Church School pupils. Some of the growth was
due to an influx of old country Germans who were immigrating to the United
States. As the Pennsylvania-Germans were more “Americanized” than the recent
immigrants, controversies developed regarding such matters as the language of
the church. In 1859 a group of members left to form the First English Lutheran
Church (now Luther Memorial).
Even with this withdrawal, the
congregation continued to grow and in March 1860 began to build a new church,
which was dedicated in 1862. That original building still survives and is
the section with the high steeple (which was added in 1884). It has since
been remodeled and used for Christian Education and office space.
1872 began a period of strong
leadership by the Benzes’, the Rev. Adolph Leopold Benze assumed the pastorate
on Easter Day in 1872 and served until his death in 1891. During his ministry,
St. John’s became one of the largest and most respected Protestant churches in
Erie.
The Rev. Gustave Benze, D.D.
succeeded his father and served until in 1943. During Pastor Benze’s
long tenure, St. Stephen’s and St. Matthew’s Lutheran Churches were organized,
as was the Lutheran Home in 1906 (now known as “The Village at Luther Square”).
Dr. Benze was also one of the prime movers in the organization of English
speaking churches in Erie and surrounding areas. The rapidly growing attendance
in worship and Sunday School required an addition to the
church. A completed addition, including the current sanctuary, was dedicated on May
9, 1897, at a cost of $32,326.16. During Pastor Benze's ministry English
language services were begun and adopted.
After Pastor Benze’s death, the Rev.
Clair O. Dufford, D.D. served as pastor for 39 years from 1943 until his retirement at the
age of 84 in 1982. Pastor Dufford continued the growth of the parish through
changing times in the city and was active in the ecumenical movement and
community activities. In 1958 the Benze Memorial Parish Center was erected at a
cost of $300,000 pledged by the members. During his pastorate, the Rev. David
Schweingruber was called as Associate Pastor. During his 30 years of ministry he
touched the lives of hundreds of youth and their families with his caring and
supportive pastoral presence. Pastor Dave (as he is affectionately called)
retired in 1991 and was named Pastor Emeritus of St. John's. His wife,
Marie organized the respected St. John’s Pre-School.
A large bequest left to the church by Leo Sapper at the time of his death in 1967 created the Memorial Trust Fund. In 1972, the Trust was used to underwrite the complete remodeling of the 1860 part of the church with classrooms, meeting rooms and a new office complex. Dufford Terrace (named in honor of Pastor Dufford) was built in
1987 with support from the Trust Fund. It contains 72 apartments, which
are physically connected to the church and the Village at Luther Square.
With Pastor Dufford’s retirement,
the Rev. Dr. John M. Mann became Senior Pastor and served for nearly ten years.
Pastor Mann introduced the congregation to the Lutheran book of worship,
restructured the church staff and computerized the offices. During his
pastorate, the Rev. Reinhold (Dutch) Weber, a retired pastor, joined the staff
to as Minister to Older Adults and as the chaplain at the Village at Luther
Square. Pastor Weber continues to serve in both postions.
Pastor Ron Rademacher and several interim pastors served St. John's until Pastor
Gerald Caughlin was called as Pastor. Pastor Caughlin served St. John's through
the 1990's until his retirement.
Rev. Dr. Daniel M. Yeiser began his ministry here on January 1, 1999. The Rev. Timothy A.
Burkett Dearhamer, called to serve as Associate Pastor, began his ministry at
St. John’s in May 2000. Pastor Dearhamer's ministry included strong support and
development in youth and family ministry, evangelism, and Christian Education.
Pastor Dearhamer accepted a new call to Resurrection Lutheran Church, Yukon,
Oklahoma in 2003.
Pastor Victor Pavlenko joined St. John's in 2005. He previously served as Senior Pastor in Good Samaritan Lutheran Church in Lanham, Maryland. In 2007 Pastor Pavlenko and committee began the "Growing in Faith...Building For Tomorrow" capital appeal to raise $1.2 million for renovations and energy upgrades to the church.
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