A Short History of St. John’s

It was 1867, in what was then a young city named Sacramento, when a small group of men and women, German immigrants, came together with a dream, a vision and a mission. They wanted to start a church in the middle of town. And they did.

The German Evangelical Lutheran Church was opened at the corner of 9th and K streets in the vacant German Methodist Church. Seven years later, a second home was built at 12th and K streets. Today, that congregation, renamed St. John’s in 1919, continues to stand majestically at 17th and L streets in a much larger and maturing and vibrant city, just blocks away from the original site.

For 141 years, St. John’s has remained as a constant reminder of God’s presence in the midst of our busy lives. The beautiful sound of her bells have called us to her doors which have always been open to all. The bread and wine at the Lord’s table have replenished us in the fullness of God’s grace. The generous spirit of our members and their commitment to social ministry and to the mission of Living God’s Love in the World has also made St. John’s a church without walls, a church dedicated to transforming the Good News from words into action. It is actively involved in benevolence work in its own community and throughout the world.

As we have continued our journey, St. John’s members have kept faith with that small contingent of immigrants whose dedication and determination led us to this moment in the congregation’s history. As keepers of their dreams, stewards of their vision, and inheritors of their mission, we recently refurbished our beautiful sanctuary, truly a place of reverence and inspiration. We also upgraded other facilities and vastly improved safety and accessibility, as well as the sound, lighting and other systems. These improvements preserve the historic integrity of the 1912 building.

In addition, the 56-rank organ, one of the finest in Northern California, was totally restored, and its magnificent sound, enhanced by the voices of our choirs, brings the joy of music to our Christ-centered worship services with an emphasis on Word and Sacrament.

Today’s members have indeed inherited a great gift and are deeply aware of our obligation to those who will come after us. As President John F. Kennedy said in his version of Luke 12, “For of those to whom much is given, much is required.”

St. John’s was started in 1867. It is here for generations yet to be born.