Peru
Indiana
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St. John's Lutheran Church
Mission:
To tell the world about Jesus!Why? Because Jesus makes a difference in our lives, now and forever!
History:
Since 1858, St. John's Lutheran Church has served the people of Peru and the surrounding communities. The original church was located on West Second Street. St. John's Christian Day School was established in 1860. The school has be a prominent factor in the development and growth of the congregation. In 1875, our present building was erected on West Main Street. The original church was remodeled into a two room school which was very adequate at that time. 30 years later, in 1905, the demands of the school outgrew the small two room building. A two story brick parish hall was erected for the cost of $11,000.
In the 1934 voters meeting, the school principal, Paul Seilbel, reported that the floors in the hall and schoolrooms were in need of repair. This led to the thought that the building should be modernized with new lights, flooring, and student desks. It was finally decided to erect a new building located just East of the church on West Main Street. In 1955, the Schmitt property was purchased, and in 1959, the Johnson property was acquired. These properties, together with the lot of the former parsonage, formed the site for our present building.
In July, 1961, a planning committee was appointed with John Pearcy serving as chairman. Included on the committee were the presidents of all congregational organizations. It's duties we to set forth the needs to be served by the proposed building. The committee was terminated in April, 1962, and in July of the same year, a building committee was named. Charles McKinney was appointed chairman, with Robert Weaver, John Pearcy, Carl Toepfer, and Wilbert Alms serving as members. This committee was responsible for carrying out the wishes of the congregation to the conclusion of construction. In 1961, the congregation by resolution, decided to use the services of the Lutheran Fund Raising Service for it's fund drive. These services were used during November of 1962. The Finance Committee responsible for soliciting funds was directed by Edward Kaiser and Clemens Toepfer.
The Planning Committee secured the services of Everett I. Brown Co. Architects, of Indianapolis. Final working drawings were signed by the trustees in December, 1962, and bids were opened on January 15, 1963. The Langer Construction Company of Auburn, Indiana, was awarded the general contract. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on April 21, 1963, and the laying of the cornerstone took place on September 1, 1963. On April 5, 1965, the new school was dedicated.
Four classrooms, two on each side of the hallway at east end of the school building were added on in 1974. Also added were storage rooms and a Fellowship Room Addition originally called a multi-purpose room. The dedication of the classroom additions and fellowship room was held August 25, 1974.
To tell the world about Jesus!Why? Because Jesus makes a difference in our lives, now and forever!
History:
Since 1858, St. John's Lutheran Church has served the people of Peru and the surrounding communities. The original church was located on West Second Street. St. John's Christian Day School was established in 1860. The school has be a prominent factor in the development and growth of the congregation. In 1875, our present building was erected on West Main Street. The original church was remodeled into a two room school which was very adequate at that time. 30 years later, in 1905, the demands of the school outgrew the small two room building. A two story brick parish hall was erected for the cost of $11,000.
In the 1934 voters meeting, the school principal, Paul Seilbel, reported that the floors in the hall and schoolrooms were in need of repair. This led to the thought that the building should be modernized with new lights, flooring, and student desks. It was finally decided to erect a new building located just East of the church on West Main Street. In 1955, the Schmitt property was purchased, and in 1959, the Johnson property was acquired. These properties, together with the lot of the former parsonage, formed the site for our present building.
In July, 1961, a planning committee was appointed with John Pearcy serving as chairman. Included on the committee were the presidents of all congregational organizations. It's duties we to set forth the needs to be served by the proposed building. The committee was terminated in April, 1962, and in July of the same year, a building committee was named. Charles McKinney was appointed chairman, with Robert Weaver, John Pearcy, Carl Toepfer, and Wilbert Alms serving as members. This committee was responsible for carrying out the wishes of the congregation to the conclusion of construction. In 1961, the congregation by resolution, decided to use the services of the Lutheran Fund Raising Service for it's fund drive. These services were used during November of 1962. The Finance Committee responsible for soliciting funds was directed by Edward Kaiser and Clemens Toepfer.
The Planning Committee secured the services of Everett I. Brown Co. Architects, of Indianapolis. Final working drawings were signed by the trustees in December, 1962, and bids were opened on January 15, 1963. The Langer Construction Company of Auburn, Indiana, was awarded the general contract. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on April 21, 1963, and the laying of the cornerstone took place on September 1, 1963. On April 5, 1965, the new school was dedicated.
Four classrooms, two on each side of the hallway at east end of the school building were added on in 1974. Also added were storage rooms and a Fellowship Room Addition originally called a multi-purpose room. The dedication of the classroom additions and fellowship room was held August 25, 1974.