Scripture Reading - Psalm 14:1-21
Our Story
In 1906, disciples of Jesus in Orchard Park, NY who held to the confessions of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod began to hold worship services in the home of Herman Meyer at the corner of Newton and Bunting Roads.
In May 1908 St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church was formally organized. Men like Herman Meyer, Carl Witte, Carl Meyer, Frank Weber, Carl Butler and Edward Riemer, the founding fathers of the church, helped erect the wooden, tall-steepled structure on the site of what is presently part of Chestnut Ridge Park in southern Orchard Park. Services were conducted in German, and they initially gathered together the Lutherans in the area who were looking for a church in this community.
The name “St. John’s” was chosen for a two-fold purpose. The apostle John is referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” in the Scriptures. First, as the Lord Jesus loved John, so the congregation would seek to bring the love of God into the community. Secondly, just as the Apostle John was faithful to the Lord, so the congregation would strive to be faithful unto Him.
In 1910, the small congregation began a Christian Day School. For the first three years, school was held in the church building, until 1913 when a new one room school was built. Grades 1-7 were generally taught by the pastor. Lessons were given in both German and English. The school burned down in January 1914, but was rebuilt by fall of that same year. Classes were held until 1936, and ceased for lack of an appropriate instructor for the children.
In 1945 the members of St. John’s decided that they could reach more people for Jesus Christ if the church moved to the Village of Orchard Park in order to accommodate the rapidly growing congregation. Harry Yates donated the property, and the members built the church themselves. Ground was broken on October 13, 1945 at the corner of South Buffalo Street and West Highland Avenue was dedicated January 25, 1948.
In 1960 there was a cornerstone dedication of a new parochial school for Kindergarten through 4th Grade. However, in the 1970’s it was converted to a Christian Preschool which served the community for many years.
Because of continued growth the congregation built a new Sanctuary and classrooms, converting the former worship area into its Narthex (Church Lobby). The new Sanctuary was dedicated in 2000. The congregation continues to grow and space becomes an ever increasing challenge in many areas of St. John’s congregational life. In 2012, a Strategic Planning Team was formed to assess the needs and challenges for the congregation moving forward. During 2013, St. John’s walked through a Congregational Self-Study and Review to accurately determine the current demographics of the congregation. An initial Building Design Team was assembled in 2014, and 2015 launched the beginning of the Capital Campaign. Future Building Projects include a larger Lobby area to encourage congregational fellowship, additional classrooms for discipleship of all ages, a larger nursery for children, additional parking, multi-purpose rooms for congregational and community events, and office space.
Over its 109 year history, St. John’s has had 20 different pastors serve the people of God. Rev. Richard Runge served the longest tenure from 1977-1994. Pastor Dennis Conrad most recently shepherded the congregation from 1994-2009. Pastor Nate Hartke has served St. John’s since December 2009.
Gradually St. John’s has been transformed by the Holy Spirit from a little church primarily serving people of German background to a dynamic, outward focused local church that serves over 1300 members and the community. The mission and vision of St. John’s continually strives to be faithful to the very words of the Lord Jesus Himself, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
