Founding and Expansion
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church began during the summer of 1903. The Rev. W.M. Hackenburg was preaching for the town of East McKeesport, PA. His first services were held in Ormsby Hall in July 1903. The official organization of the Congregation was effected on August 30, 1903. Looking to the future, the Congregation purchased land at the corner of Florence Ave. and Chicora St. in East McKeesport. After holding services for several years at Ormsby Hall, then in various churches within the area, and even in the East McKeesport school building, it was decided in 1910 to build a house of worship on the previously purchased land. Ground was broken for the new church on August 8, 1910. Less than one year later, the new church building, a 32' x 50' brick structure, was dedicated.
From its inception in 1903 to 1934, the congregation grew in numbers, eight Pastors and eight Supply Pastors presided over St. John's Lutheran Church, and the small church building began to need repairs and improvements. In 1939, the Congregation again bought lots behind the existing building, primarily for the purpose of parking. By 1940, numerous improvements were made to the church building including the installation of a new steam heating system, a new cement basement floor, a kitchen cabinet and sink were purchased, and new restroom equipment was installed for both men and women. New lighting fixtures and wiring were added throughout the building, and new windows were installed. Painting was done, both inside and out. All these repairs and improvements were a major undertaking by the Congregation, but by June 1944, all mortgages and debts had been cleared. The year 1944 marked the celebration of 41 years of service.
In 1948, the Congregation again looked to the future and considered remodeling St. John's church building again; however, it was decided that a new house of worship should be built instead. The Church Council, after looking for a suitable building location, determined available land on the corner of Lincoln Highway and Elizabeth Street in nearby North Versailles presented an optimal location. On August 20, 1950, ground was broken for the new church building and by February 1952, the church was completed and the first church services began in what is still the current location of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church.
The church location along Route 30 has seen additional building, repairs, and improvements from 1952 to today. A new Sanctuary was completed in 1967, a new sound system was installed in 1977, a new organ was used for the first time in 1980, the original set of Schulmerich handbells were purchased in 1982, and by 1985, the final payment was made on the mortgage and the Congregation held a mortgage burning celebration. But St. John's congregation would not sit still. Within 13 years of paying off the mortgage, additional renovations were voted on by the Congregation. More classroom space was necessary, and carpeting and air conditioning were installed in the sanctuary. The wooden pews were reupholstered and several pews were altered to allow for wheelchair and accessible seating; a new portico was added to the main entrance of the building and that entrance was also made wheelchair accessible. All of these renovations were completed by 2000.
In 2003, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated its 100th Anniversary year. During those 100 years, 22 different Pastors led the church. There were several Pastors who served St. John's for numerous years. Those long-serving pastors include Pastor W. Frederick Adolphen (1931 - 1943), Pastor Edward Miller (1943 - 1974), Pastor Robert Schlotter (1980 - 1994), and Pastor Richard Krug (1994 - 2018). Pastors Erin Jones, Jocelyn Johnston, and Martin Rafanan all served as interim pastors from 2018 to 2021. In July 2021, St. John's called the Rev. Dr. Kimberly Greway to be their pastor.
Ministries of St. John's
St. John's Lutheran Church is not just about a building. The congregation has grown to provide more services to its members and to the North Versailles and East McKeesport communities. In 1983 in response to the high unemployment levels and extensive economic hardship in the community as a result from the decline of heavy industry in the Mon Valley, St. John's became one of the Founding Congregations of MA's Pantry Food Bank. St. John's members continue to be actively involved with MA's Pantry, from serving on the Board to helping stock, sort, and distribute the food on Saturday mornings. In the 1990s, St. John's began using Eucharistic Ministers to provide Holy Communion to our shut-ins. The church's newest Mission Statement was adopted in 2016, and the Welcome Statement was adopted in 2015 when we became a Reconciling In Christ (RIC) congregation.
St. John's offers yearly Summer Vacation Bible Schools, annual church picnics, Mother-Daughter banquets, special services for Easter and Christmas, Health Fairs for Seniors in the community, provides the use of the Labyrinth prayer walk several times during the year, and many more activities and events for both the congregation and the community.
For more than 30 years, St. John's has hosted numerous community groups and provided services to the community including: the East Suburban Family Counseling Center (a site of Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute), 12-step groups, Brownie and Girl Scout Troops, Nar-Anon groups, the St. Afterschool program (for children in Kindergarten through Grade 3 in the East Allegheny School District), and the Grief Recovery Holiday Remembrance Service. St. John's Lutheran Church is a member of the Hilltop Ministerium and participates in programs such as the Hilltop Ministerium mid-week Lenten Services.
From the small congregation that was formed in 1903 and the first land purchased for a price of $1,100 to our current church building, Congregation Council leadership and church membership, St. John's continues to serve God with a feeling of hope, expectation, and wonder for our continued journey of faith. St. John's continues to be a place for everyone.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church began during the summer of 1903. The Rev. W.M. Hackenburg was preaching for the town of East McKeesport, PA. His first services were held in Ormsby Hall in July 1903. The official organization of the Congregation was effected on August 30, 1903. Looking to the future, the Congregation purchased land at the corner of Florence Ave. and Chicora St. in East McKeesport. After holding services for several years at Ormsby Hall, then in various churches within the area, and even in the East McKeesport school building, it was decided in 1910 to build a house of worship on the previously purchased land. Ground was broken for the new church on August 8, 1910. Less than one year later, the new church building, a 32' x 50' brick structure, was dedicated.
From its inception in 1903 to 1934, the congregation grew in numbers, eight Pastors and eight Supply Pastors presided over St. John's Lutheran Church, and the small church building began to need repairs and improvements. In 1939, the Congregation again bought lots behind the existing building, primarily for the purpose of parking. By 1940, numerous improvements were made to the church building including the installation of a new steam heating system, a new cement basement floor, a kitchen cabinet and sink were purchased, and new restroom equipment was installed for both men and women. New lighting fixtures and wiring were added throughout the building, and new windows were installed. Painting was done, both inside and out. All these repairs and improvements were a major undertaking by the Congregation, but by June 1944, all mortgages and debts had been cleared. The year 1944 marked the celebration of 41 years of service.
In 1948, the Congregation again looked to the future and considered remodeling St. John's church building again; however, it was decided that a new house of worship should be built instead. The Church Council, after looking for a suitable building location, determined available land on the corner of Lincoln Highway and Elizabeth Street in nearby North Versailles presented an optimal location. On August 20, 1950, ground was broken for the new church building and by February 1952, the church was completed and the first church services began in what is still the current location of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church.
The church location along Route 30 has seen additional building, repairs, and improvements from 1952 to today. A new Sanctuary was completed in 1967, a new sound system was installed in 1977, a new organ was used for the first time in 1980, the original set of Schulmerich handbells were purchased in 1982, and by 1985, the final payment was made on the mortgage and the Congregation held a mortgage burning celebration. But St. John's congregation would not sit still. Within 13 years of paying off the mortgage, additional renovations were voted on by the Congregation. More classroom space was necessary, and carpeting and air conditioning were installed in the sanctuary. The wooden pews were reupholstered and several pews were altered to allow for wheelchair and accessible seating; a new portico was added to the main entrance of the building and that entrance was also made wheelchair accessible. All of these renovations were completed by 2000.
In 2003, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated its 100th Anniversary year. During those 100 years, 22 different Pastors led the church. There were several Pastors who served St. John's for numerous years. Those long-serving pastors include Pastor W. Frederick Adolphen (1931 - 1943), Pastor Edward Miller (1943 - 1974), Pastor Robert Schlotter (1980 - 1994), and Pastor Richard Krug (1994 - 2018). Pastors Erin Jones, Jocelyn Johnston, and Martin Rafanan all served as interim pastors from 2018 to 2021. In July 2021, St. John's called the Rev. Dr. Kimberly Greway to be their pastor.
Ministries of St. John's
St. John's Lutheran Church is not just about a building. The congregation has grown to provide more services to its members and to the North Versailles and East McKeesport communities. In 1983 in response to the high unemployment levels and extensive economic hardship in the community as a result from the decline of heavy industry in the Mon Valley, St. John's became one of the Founding Congregations of MA's Pantry Food Bank. St. John's members continue to be actively involved with MA's Pantry, from serving on the Board to helping stock, sort, and distribute the food on Saturday mornings. In the 1990s, St. John's began using Eucharistic Ministers to provide Holy Communion to our shut-ins. The church's newest Mission Statement was adopted in 2016, and the Welcome Statement was adopted in 2015 when we became a Reconciling In Christ (RIC) congregation.
St. John's offers yearly Summer Vacation Bible Schools, annual church picnics, Mother-Daughter banquets, special services for Easter and Christmas, Health Fairs for Seniors in the community, provides the use of the Labyrinth prayer walk several times during the year, and many more activities and events for both the congregation and the community.
For more than 30 years, St. John's has hosted numerous community groups and provided services to the community including: the East Suburban Family Counseling Center (a site of Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute), 12-step groups, Brownie and Girl Scout Troops, Nar-Anon groups, the St. Afterschool program (for children in Kindergarten through Grade 3 in the East Allegheny School District), and the Grief Recovery Holiday Remembrance Service. St. John's Lutheran Church is a member of the Hilltop Ministerium and participates in programs such as the Hilltop Ministerium mid-week Lenten Services.
From the small congregation that was formed in 1903 and the first land purchased for a price of $1,100 to our current church building, Congregation Council leadership and church membership, St. John's continues to serve God with a feeling of hope, expectation, and wonder for our continued journey of faith. St. John's continues to be a place for everyone.