Our History

In 1857, St. John joined the “German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Other States,” founded just ten years previous, as a voting member. This church body would later shorten its name to the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). The congregation incorporated in 1859 as “German Evangelical Lutheran St. John Church, Town 13, of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession.” 

Questions of incorporation came up in 1988 regarding liability issues. These questions were answered when it was found that the church was incorporated in 1859, and all that was required was an update of the original German name. While we no longer include “German” in our official name, both Evangelical, “of the Gospel,” and Unaltered Augsburg Confession, the chief Lutheran Confession in its original 1530 form, remain in the official name. These emphases continue to distinguish St. John’s faith and life from that of neighboring Reformed and Unionistic protestant churches.

For the last 167+ years, St. John has been blessed to be served by sixteen called pastors and forty-five called or contracted teachers. The records show more than two thousand baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. Of those thousands, most continued to sit at the feet of Jesus in Sherman Center, receiving His Word, being forgiven, and fed with the bread of heaven. These same saints served their neighbors in loving kindness/ You can see the labor and dedication of these saints as you enter through the narthex, sit in the chancel, listen to the organ, reflect on the beautiful windows, walk the cemetery, observe the classrooms, and enjoy fellowship in the church and school. While many things come and go, Jesus’ abiding and forgiving presence always remains: The Word of God, who endures forever.