Historical Sketch St. John's Congregation was organized in the fall of 1874 with eight voting members, 23 communicants, and fifty souls, by the Rev. E. Wiegner, and served jointly with Immanuel's of St. Ansgar. The charter members were: Hermann Dieterichs, Sr., Frederick Hartwig, Frederick Troge, Reinhardt Hartwig, Sr., Frederick Becker, Sr., Henry Troge, Gustave Troge, and Herman Troge. Services were first held in a school house until 1890 when a church was erected and dedicated to the service of God After Pastor Wiegner's death, the congregation was served during the next years by the Rev. Haentel, the Rev. Drexler, and Student Lilie. In 1898 a parsonage was built and the next year the first resident pastor was called in the person of The Rev. T. Stephan. During his pastorate the school house was built. Pastor Stephan was succeeded after five years by the Rev. Aug. Muller, who after eight years' service was followed by the Rev. J. Bertram, during whose time the present church was erected. The Rev. Theo. Frese was next to serve the congregation, being followed after three years by the Rev. F.A. Brauer, who served until the spring of 1940, and was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. I.G. Kitzmann. The present officers of the congregation are: H.R. Schuttler, G.A. Troge, George Dieterichs, Elders; and Eldred Muller, Elmer Heusman, Victor Dieterichs, Trustees. For many years the pastors of St. John's also held services in the city of Osage. Since 1937 Trinity congregation of Osage has its own pastor. In 1935 Redeemer congregation of Rudd, Iowa, was organized under the leadership of Pastor Brauer. This congregation has been served by the present pastor jointly with St. John's since the fall of 1940. St. John's maintains a Sunday School, Saturday School, Walther League, and Ladie's Aid. A new parsonage was built in 1947, the old one having been destroyed by fire. The administreation of the Word and Sacraments during these seventy-five years in St. John's has been accompanied by the Lord's Blessing and many souls have been taught and led in the way of everlasting life. In wheel and woe, in sorrow and sunshine, the gracious God has fulfilled His promise unto us: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am Thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Is. 41, 10 May He continue to fulfill this promise unto St. John's congregation! Soli Deo Gloria

Submitted to IaGenWeb by K. Kittleson, Jan. 2010

NOTE: The two inside pages, with the service program, were omitted here.