Early German Settlers

In 1865 several German-speaking Lutheran families living in Webster (Rice County) and New Market (Scott County) townships began holding worship services in their homes.  Pastors from neighboring congregations in Fish Lake, Lanesburg, and Faribault administered the Sacraments and conducted the services as often as they could make the trip to Webster by horse and buggy.

The First Church

In 1872 eleven families helped construct the first church building on one acre of land 2-1/2 miles west of the village of Webster.  The cost of this 20'x26' building was $348.94.  After its ceremonial opening, the congregation became known as the German Evangelical Lutheran St. Johann's Church.  The eleven families included:  August Behneke, Ferdinand Butzke (father), Herman Butzke (son), Wilhelm Dodes, Robert Gardner, Hans Herman, Wilhelm Meinke (father), Heinrich Meinke (son), Hermann Sandmann, Ludwig Sprehn, and Heinrich Wegener, Sr.  Mr. Ferdinand Butzke served as secretary of the congregation from 1873-1890.  The church is indebted to this faithful and dedicated member for recording the minutes during those early years.

The Second Church

The congregation continued to grow, and in 1891 a new 40'x26' building with a seating capacity of 150 souls was constructed north of the original church.  Membership had grown to such an extent by 1894 that the congregation called Rev. M. Melinat to be the first resident pastor.  A parsonage was constructed across the road from the church.

The Parochial School

The first church building was used for many years to house the parochial school where the pastor prepared the older children for their confirmation.  In the fall of 1928 the first teacher was hired; the curriculum was expanded and children in grades one through eight could attend.  In 1952 the congregation found it necessary to close the school.
 

The Present Church Building

A severe windstorm in October 1949 caused considerable damage to the church building.  As a result, the congregation resolved to build a new church in the village of Webster.  John Wegener and his wife donated five lots for this purpose.

In July of 1950 ground was broken for the 66'x30' church, and the cornerstone was laid on May 27, 1951.  While the new church was being built (June 1950 to October 1951), the Solör Congregation in Webster permitted St. John's members to use their church for worship.  The first service was held in the basement of the new church in October 1951.  Although the original plan was to finish only the basement, the congregation resolved at a meeting in January 1952 to complete the building.  The present church was dedicated to the worship and glory of the Triune God on November 2, 1952.  A new parsonage was constructed in Webster in 1954.

Building Improvements

Continued growth made it necessary to add to the present church building in 1976.  A library, extended narthex, and church office were constructed.  Steel siding was added to the exterior of the church building in 1986, and the entire main floor was carpeted in 1990.

Dual Parishes

In 1962 St. John's entered into a dual existence agreement with sister congregation Immanuel, Fish Lake (LCMS).  Under this agreement St. John's and Immanuel shared the services of one pastor.  This relationship existed for eleven years until 1973 when Immanuel developed the need for full-time pastoral services.

That year St. John's forged another dual existence agreement with Trondhjem Lutheran Church (ALC) in nearby Lonsdale.  At this time the LCMS and the ALC shared altar and pulpit fellowship as their member congregations believed and taught the same things.  The two churches agreed to alternate calling pastors from each congregation's church body.
 

LCMS and ALC Part Ways

However, in 1981, after many years of correspondence, conferences, and discussions, the LCMS churches and the ALC churches realized that they no longer believed and taught precisely the same things.  Thus they felt it was more honest to dissolve their altar and pulpit fellowship with each other and give thanks for God's blessings to them in the past.  In 1988 most of the ALC churches were incorporated into the newly-formed ELCA, the largest Lutheran body in America.  The LCMS and the ELCA do not enjoy altar and pulpit fellowship today.

St. John's relationship sharing a pastor with Trondhjem continued until 1997.  By this time the churches felt that their respective church bodies were theologically too far apart to continue their dual existence.  In August of that year their relationship was formally dissolved, with much regret and thanksgiving to God for the 24 years they had together.

In 2003 St. John's called her first full-time pastor in more than forty years, the Rev. Michael W. Salemink, a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

Into the Future

Today St. John's stands at the threshold of exciting mission opportunities.  Scott County, just two miles to the north of Webster, is the eighth-fastest growing county in the nation.  As St. John's is the only LCMS congregation for fifteen miles in any direction, and as all of the surrounding communities are expanding in population, the congregation is preparing for a rebirth as she ministers to the people of Webster and Rice County, by God's grace for another one hundred thirty-nine years