1854

Shakopee was officially opened for settlement

1855

Pastor Wilhelm Wier (1855 – 1859)

1858

Minnesota became a state

1859

Rev. Adam Blumer (1859 – 1866)

1860

The German Lutherans in Shakopee formed

“The German Lutheran Church – St. Johannes”

1861

Civil War begins when Ft. Sumter is fired upon.

1862

The six “somewhat Lutheran” pastors in the state formed the Minnesota Synod.

1865

Civil War ends.

1867

Rev. Wilhelm Hoffman (1867 – 1869)

1869

Rev. Friedrich Hoffman (1869 – 1874)

Parish’s first church – a frame building on East Second St, near the railroad shops

1870

Church moved to First Street.

1872

Shakopee’s first great fire on Feb. 19th. Our church was damaged – several hundred dollars’ worth. Other losses amounted to $100,000.00

1874

Rev. L. F. Frey (1874 – 1882)

1882

One-room brick school built east of the church. (It can now be found at the Minnesota Valley Restoration.)

1886

Rev. F. W. Spindler (1886 – 1894)

1890

A new brick church was dedicated Aug. 3rd .

1892

Congregation affiliated with the Ohio Synod.

1894

Rev. P. W. Hohberger (1894 – 1903)

1903

Rev. Carl Ganschow (1903 – 1918)

1910

Golden Anniversary of church celebrated June 15th

1918

Rev. George L. Matthiae (1918 – 1931)

Alter chancel with new altar added.

Rev. Carl Wenger and Rev F. W. Lange, both sons of the congregation, are ordained.

First World War ends Nov. 11th

1919

Prohibition begins; Shakopee pretty much ignores it.

1929

Stock market crashes.

1930

Congregation becomes affiliated with the American Lutheran Church Synod.

1931

Rev. W. H. Schoeder (1931 – 1945)

1932

Congregation name changes to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church.

English becomes the official language of the congregation.

1935

St. John’s celebrates it’s 75th Anniversary Aug. 25th.

1939

New organ is dedicated.

1940

German services are discontinued.

1941

American enters Second World War on Dec. 7th.

1945

Rev. Norbert Augst (1945 – 1949)

Second World War ends with allied victory.

1948

Parsonage is built on First Ave for $18,000.00

1949

Rev. J. H. Kolberg (1949 – 1950)

1950

Congregation celebrates 90th Anniversary

1951

Rev. Robert Rismiller (1951 – 1952)

1952

Rev. Fred Meske (1952 – 1966)

1953

Our present church at 8th and Fuller is dedicated.

1960

Centennial observed.

All personal loans from congregational members are paid off.

Mr. Ahlswede died and ceded to our congregation lots 3, 4 and 5.

1961

Committee formed to investigate and plan for an educational building.

Vincent Fricke, Win Mott and Dallas Blenkush, all sons of the congregation, are ordained.

1962

First Street parsonage is sold for $16,650.00.

1963

New parsonage is dedicated on June 30th.

1965

Educational building is dedicated in November.

1966

Rev. Paul Bredow, visitation pastor (1966 – 1973)

1967

Rev. Walter Johnson (1967 – 1984)

1968

Growing congregation requires 3 Sunday School sessions on Sundays.

1973

Rev. Vernon Jensen – Assoc. (1973 – 1976)

1976

Rev. John Hinrichs – Assoc (1976 – 1980)

A second parsonage is purchased for $45,000.00, July 30th.

1981

Rev. John Skeie – Assoc. (1981 – 1985)

New Hendrickson organ ($44,600.00) is dedicated Dec. 6th.

1983

Dec. 11 special meeting of the congregation to vote to sever relations with the ALC. 168 voted to sever; 177 voted not to sever.

1985

Rev. Maynard Iverson – Interim – July to December

Rev. Steven Humburg (1985 – 1989)

1987

Rev. Maynard Iverson – Assoc. (1987 – 1989)

1988

Synod merger: St. John’s becomes member congregation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

1989

Rev. Rachel Thorson-Mithelman – Interim (1989 – 1990)

1990

Rev. Howard Reeves (1990 – 1998)

1992

Rev. Johan Hinderlie – Assoc. (1992 – 1995)

1994

Congregation votes to remodel the church chancel, educational unit, office and fellowship space.

1996

Rev. Howard Rand – Assist. (1996 – 1998)

1997

Special service held celebrating completion of our major remodeling Project – March 16th.

1998

Rev. Gerald Sevig (1998 to 2007)

Rev. Robert Kriesel, Interim, served 9 mo.

Doug Spiotta celebrates his Consecration as a Diaconal Minister in Nov.

2000

Rev. Laura Duffee – Assoc. (2000 to 2007)

Congregation votes to remodel church kitchen.

2001

Kitchen renovation project is completed in February at cost of $112,212.00

Marg Goodspeed Born

Audrey Siedow McGovern

Marie Brueshoff

Leon Mesenbrink

Darlene Raduenz Davies

Ruth Nieters

LaVonne Ginkel Duede

Einer Odland

Doug Greening

Joann Prellwitz Odland

Florence Greening

James Raduenz

Esther Gronfor

Wally and Lorraine Raduenz

Ken Hanel

Esther Realander

Jean Dahlgren Hanel

June Regan

Roxanne Martin Jackelen

Phyllis Schesso

Sandy Raduenz Knuppel

Rose Schmitt

Bob Koch

LaVerna Kopitzke Schwingler

Marlene Peterson Koch

Bob Techam

Lillian Kopisca

Chet and Betty Teich

Bernette Martin

Bud Yahnke

Don Martin