1943

• The first meeting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Vaupel with 12 people meeting to discuss starting a mission church of Zion Lutheran Church in Shellsburg occured on August 1.

• Before the charter, services were held in homes for worship and also at Greens Grove Community Church near the Karl Behrens family farm outside of Center Point for six weeks in 1944.

1947

• The first organizational meeting was held with seven men, Rev. Edmund Frese, and Mission Secretary H. J. Heilmann of Fairbanks signing the Articles of Organization. They chose the name St. John as the name of our congregation.

• The original 7 charter members were Julius Krumm, Carl Thompson, Arnold Vaupel, Karl Behrens, Maynard Bauer, De Loye Thompson, and Stanley Coberly.

• On June 5, the Articles of Incorporation was written and signed to become St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Center Point, Iowa.

• On June 14, 1947, the Rev. Edmund C. Frese is called as St. John Lutheran Church’s first pastor and serves until 1949.

1949

• The original church on Maiden Street and Main was dedicated on June 29th. An old Army barracks (16’x16’) from Fort Blanding, Florida, which was acquired in 1946 was added to the structure. The chapel was completed at a cost of $3,000 with the structure now measuring 16’x53’.

• Dedication services were held during a special service with Rev. Frese and Rev. Walter Wendt presiding.

• Later in 1949, the Rev. Arnold R. Aschbrenner would accept the call to be our second pastor and would serve until 1957.

1950

• On May 18, 1950, St. John LWML was organized with 6 charter members: Mrs. Knapp, Mrs. Alfred Vaupel, Mrs. Aschbrenner, Mrs. Maynard Bauer, Mrs. Eldon Bauer, and Mrs. Karl Behrens.

1955

• Groundbreaking for our current church building on Water Street and Vine Street began on September 4th. There were 110 people in attendance. The church was built by C. W. Haerter for a cost of $25,000. It was expected to be completed by December 25th for Christmas Divine Services.

• The new church building currently provides double the seating capacity of the old church building as well as an office for the pastor, a fellowship hall, a kitchen, stage, nursery, Sunday School rooms, and a choir loft.

1957

• Rev. Walter E. Heddrich accepts the call to become our third pastor and serves until 1959.

1959

• Rev. Martin O. Hoyer accepts the call to become our fourth pastor and serves until 1965.

1966

• Rev. Henry C. Henneman accepts the call to become our fifth pastor and serves until 1972.

1970-1971

• Our current organ is built by M. P. Möller. It currently features 7 ranks, 525 pipes, 3 divisions, 2 manuals, and 27 registers.

• The organ was dedicated on Reformation Day in 1971.

1972

• Rev. Randolph E. Mueller accepts the call to become our sixth pastor and serves until 1980.

1981

• Rev. David L. Hansen accepts the call to become our seventh pastor and serves faithfully until his retirement in 2019.

2020

• Rev. Thomas C. Van Hemert accepts the call to become our eighth pastor and serves us in that capacity to this day.

2022

• The hardwood floors in the sanctuary are refinished, new carpet is installed, and the sanctuary walls are repainted for the first time since the 1980s.

+ Soli Deo Gloria +