Saint John Lutheran Church
Our Full History

Saint John Lutheran Church had its beginnings in the fall of 1941 when the Pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Barrington, Rev. A. T. Kretzmann, began holding worship services in the homes of some of the residents of the Village of Island Lake. The congregation was officially organized on October 4, 1942, with thirty-five adult members. Rev. H. H. Heinemann succeeded Pastor Kretzmann in Barrington in 1945 and took over the work in Island Lake. For a number of years worship services were held in the Walton Swander home.

In 1948, work was started on the first church building. On May 22, 1949, the congregation dedicated the cement block building on the corner of Roberts Road and Highway 176. During the next four years the congregation grew and on August 2, 1953, Rev. Harold Hiller, a recent graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, was ordained and installed as our first resident Pastor. He served St. John until the fall of 1955.

On April 22, 1956, Rev. E. Nieting was installed as Pastor. Four and one-half acres of land was purchased at what was then the west edge of the village and work was begun on our present facilities. On December 8, 1957, the combined church and parsonage was dedicated. On January 31, 1965, Rev. Nieting accepted a Call and left St. John.

Rev. William H. Lehmann, Sr. was extended a Call and installed as Pastor on May 23, 1965. In the fall of 1971, Pastor Lehmann informed the congregation of his plans to retire at the end of August, 1972, which would mark the Fiftieth Anniversary of his entering the Office of the Holy Ministry.

The congregation decided to extend a Call through the Synodical Board of Assignments. On May 3, 1972, that Call was extended to Bruce A. Hoffmann, a student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois. Rev. Bruce A Hoffmann was installed as our current Pastor on July 16, 1972.

In 1976, the congregation decided to blacktop the drives and parking area. This was greatly appreciated. In 1977, a Schulmerich carillon was added to the church and in 1980 new furniture graced the chancel. In the Fall of 1980 the congregation took on some major repairs and renovations including all new Sunday School rooms and additions to the parsonage.

Throughout the 1980's the congregation continued to grow in God's grace and love. The congregation has seen to the physical upkeep of their house of worship -- a new church sign, new exit-entrance signs, planting new trees, etc. In October, 1992, St. John celebrated fifty years of God's abounding grace. Chancel renovations were dedicated in 1994. In the late 1990's we added our landmark white cross near the road in front of the church.

In1997, our Futures Committee formed with the express purpose of looking at our ministry and building needs. On September 15, 1999, the firm of Jaeger, Nikola & Associates was retained for Master Plan Architectural Services and Capital Funding Services was engaged to assist our church with our future stewardship emphasis.
  
During the year 2000, congregational self-study helped solidify our vision for ministry and its needs. On April 29, 2001, the St. John Building Committee presented a proposed expansion plan to the congregation. The expansion primarily involves two ground floor offices, washrooms, a large narthex and a new sanctuary which would tie into the existing sanctuary. This new sanctuary would seat 230. The plan was approved at the Voter's meeting the following day. A Fall Capital Stewardship Campaign was also approved at that time to fund the expansion. The results of the campaign will determine as to how much of the expansion plan we will actively engage.

Spiritually this family of God has strived to meet the challenges and needs of a changing world. Standing firm in God's Word and following His guidance, this congregation continues to move toward its century mark --  with the prayer that St. John will continue to be a blessing to God's people, just as God has indeed blest this congregation.