In the 1880's, Pastor E. Wiegner of St. Ansgar journeyed to our area to serve Lutherans who had recently emigrated from Germany. The first worship services of St. John were held in members’ homes, and country school houses. On January 2, 1887, St. John was officially constituted by 13 men and their families. The original name on the constitution signed by these men was, "The First St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession in Concord Township, Hancock County, Iowa."
Since its inception, St. John has been on a mission to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its truth and purity and to serve the holy Sacraments of our Lord according to the Gospel - so that through these Means of Grace all would believe in Jesus and have eternal life in His name. As those saved entirely by God's grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, we aim to glorify God by loving others as He has loved us in Christ Jesus.
St. John is a member congregation of the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod (LCMS). Click here to learn more about the LCMS.
It isn't entirely clear why the founders of our congregation chose the name St. John. However, this name bears witness that what we believe, teach and confess is the very same as that Apostle, and indeed all the Apostles of our Lord.
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete." (1 John 1:1-4)
Learn more about what we believe here. (Link - LCMS beliefs)
