St. John's Church History
Eleven ministers have served as pastor since the devotional meetings and Sunday school services that were initiated in the General Protestant Home in 1872 culminated in the building of our first church. Located on Fosdick St. in Mt. Auburn, it was dedicated in April, 1874. Our second and present church on Fleming Rd. in Finneytown was dedicated in June, 1966.
Under the spiritual guidance of our first minister, Rev. J. C. Scholz (1873-1875), services were held for the residents of the surrounding Mt. Auburn hilltop area and Sunday school was conducted for their children and the children from the Orphans Home. The church choir and the Ladies Aid were organized in these early years.
The church continued to flourish under the leadership of the Rev. F. Ruoff (1875-1879), the Rev. G. Deckinger (1879-1880) and the Rev. C. Moench (1880-1881).
During the 17 years that Rev. John Heckman (1881-1898) served our congregation a new parsonage was erected.
One of the highlights of the 42 ½ years of ministry by Rev. Ernst Voss (1899-1941) was the initiation of the English language into the church services which had formerly been held in German. Another outstanding occurrence was the celebration of the Golden Anniversary of the church in 1922.
The following year the decision to affiliate with the National Council of Congregational Churches was unanimously ratified. A new constitution was adopted in 1925, a year which also marked the founding of the Men’s Club.
A more ritualistic form of worship was initiated by Rev. Emil Reikow (1941-1947). Upon his death, the church life was carried on by the members while searching for a new minister. During this short period, the pledge system was begun.
In the fall of 1947, Rev. Joseph Quick (1947-1949) assumed the Pastorate. Under his leadership, the Missionaries were organized in 1948 and the present Martha Sponsel Library was begun.
The Rev. Carl Bollinger (1947-1966) brought deep religious feeling to the pulpit by placing emphasis on meaningful worship services and introducing several innovations including the observance of the Advent season. In 1961, St. John’s joined the newly organized United Church of Christ.
A thorough self-study was conducted in 1963 to decide whether to relocate the church or to remain in a declining neighborhood from which many members had already immigrated. The decision favored relocation and during the interim of building a new building the new church, services were conducted in the College Hill Masonic Lodge. On Easter Sunday, 1966, we celebrated our first service in our present church.
December, 1967, found us without a minister to conduct our Christmas service. Rev. Martin Neff (1968-1969) volunteered his services and so impressed the congregation that they prevailed upon him to accept the position as our minister. He was instrumental in helping the church to become established in a new community.
Under the spiritual guidance of our first minister, Rev. J. C. Scholz (1873-1875), services were held for the residents of the surrounding Mt. Auburn hilltop area and Sunday school was conducted for their children and the children from the Orphans Home. The church choir and the Ladies Aid were organized in these early years.
The church continued to flourish under the leadership of the Rev. F. Ruoff (1875-1879), the Rev. G. Deckinger (1879-1880) and the Rev. C. Moench (1880-1881).
During the 17 years that Rev. John Heckman (1881-1898) served our congregation a new parsonage was erected.
One of the highlights of the 42 ½ years of ministry by Rev. Ernst Voss (1899-1941) was the initiation of the English language into the church services which had formerly been held in German. Another outstanding occurrence was the celebration of the Golden Anniversary of the church in 1922.
The following year the decision to affiliate with the National Council of Congregational Churches was unanimously ratified. A new constitution was adopted in 1925, a year which also marked the founding of the Men’s Club.
A more ritualistic form of worship was initiated by Rev. Emil Reikow (1941-1947). Upon his death, the church life was carried on by the members while searching for a new minister. During this short period, the pledge system was begun.
In the fall of 1947, Rev. Joseph Quick (1947-1949) assumed the Pastorate. Under his leadership, the Missionaries were organized in 1948 and the present Martha Sponsel Library was begun.
The Rev. Carl Bollinger (1947-1966) brought deep religious feeling to the pulpit by placing emphasis on meaningful worship services and introducing several innovations including the observance of the Advent season. In 1961, St. John’s joined the newly organized United Church of Christ.
A thorough self-study was conducted in 1963 to decide whether to relocate the church or to remain in a declining neighborhood from which many members had already immigrated. The decision favored relocation and during the interim of building a new building the new church, services were conducted in the College Hill Masonic Lodge. On Easter Sunday, 1966, we celebrated our first service in our present church.
December, 1967, found us without a minister to conduct our Christmas service. Rev. Martin Neff (1968-1969) volunteered his services and so impressed the congregation that they prevailed upon him to accept the position as our minister. He was instrumental in helping the church to become established in a new community.
Milestones…St. John
1872 – Devotional Meeting & Sunday School – General Protestant Home
April, 1874 – Dedication of St. John’s in Mt. Auburn on Fosdick St.
1881 – 1898 – Parsonage was erected
1899-1941 – Initiation of the English Language (formerly German)
1922 – Golden Anniversary of the church
1925 – New constitution affiliation with the National Council of Congregational Churches
Founding of the Men’s Club
1948 – Missionaries were organized
Martha Sponsel Library was initiated
1961 – St. John’s joins the newly organized United Church of Christ
1963 – Self-study conducted concerning relocation – decision favored relocation
1966 – Easter Sunday celebrated the first service at 691 Fleming Road
June, 1966 – Dedication of St. John’s Community Church in Finneytown (current location)
April, 1874 – Dedication of St. John’s in Mt. Auburn on Fosdick St.
1881 – 1898 – Parsonage was erected
1899-1941 – Initiation of the English Language (formerly German)
1922 – Golden Anniversary of the church
1925 – New constitution affiliation with the National Council of Congregational Churches
Founding of the Men’s Club
1948 – Missionaries were organized
Martha Sponsel Library was initiated
1961 – St. John’s joins the newly organized United Church of Christ
1963 – Self-study conducted concerning relocation – decision favored relocation
1966 – Easter Sunday celebrated the first service at 691 Fleming Road
June, 1966 – Dedication of St. John’s Community Church in Finneytown (current location)
