1847
German immigrants (largely from Pomerania) meet in private homes to hear reading of sermons by Martin Luther.
1848
The congregation is organized on December 4, 1848 as “Evangelishe Lutheran St. Johnanneskirche”; known today as St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Pastor Ludwig Dulitz serves the congregation from 1848-1858.
1850
The congregation purchases the old Trinity Episcopal Church (Fourth & Highland). Additions are made to it in 1858, 1863, 1871.
1851
Land is purchased for a cemetery, today known as Union Cemetery and operated as Graceland Cemeteries with Grace Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church.
1858
The congregation becomes a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Pastor Wilhelm Streissguth serves the congregation from 1858-1868.
1868
Pastor Johannes Bading serves the congregation from 1868-1908.
1862
A two storied school building is erected next to the church; rebuilt in 1871.
1862
A two storied school building is erected next to the church; rebuilt in 1871.
1872
St. John’s hosts the first convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Synodical Conference of North America.
1873
A branch school is opened and later becomes St. Marcus Lutheran Church and School (Palmer & Garfield).
1885
A branch school is opened and later becomes Apostles of Christ Lutheran Church and School (112th & Wisconsin Ave.)
1887
A school building is erected on the lots purchased at 8th & Vliet Street.
1890
July 28; the current church building is dedicated. Designed by H. Paul Schnetzky and Eugene R.Liebert to seat 1100. The parsonage (today known as the Activity Center) is built.
1892
St. John’s hosts the convention which merges the Wisconsin Synod with the Minnesota, Michigan, and Nebraska synods.
1908
The building is wired for electricity with over 800 light bulbs highlighting the arches. Services in the English language are begun.
Pastor John Brenner serves the congregation from 1908-1958.
1919
The original organ, built in 1890 by Carl Barckhoff of Salem, Ohio is rebuilt by the Wangerin-Weickhardt firm of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1950
The City of Milwaukee clears the neighborhood and builds the Hillside Terrace housing project.
1959
Pastor Alfred Schewe serves the congregation from 1959-1972.
1960
St. John’s Lutheran School is closed and the building is sold.
1962
The church is redecorated to its current appointments.
1973
Pastor Norman Engel serves the congregation from 1973-1986.
1985
German services are discontinued.
1986
Pastor Kevin Hastings serves the congregation from 1986-2013.
1995
The pastor is suspended from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod; the congregation sides with the pastor and is also suspended.
2013
Sunday services are suspended when the pastor is removed from office for personal reasons.
2014
Sunday worship at 10 am resumes when another pastor is called.
Pastor Roger Ph. Drews serves the congregation from 2014-2016.
2015
The carpeting from 1918 is replaced.
2016
The suspension by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod is lifted and St. John’s is again a congregation in good standing within the fellowship of 32 church bodies in the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference.
2016
Pastor William J. Schaefer serves the congregation from 2016-2019.
2020
Pastor Mike Hintz & Charles Degner serve a pastoral vacancy during 2020 & 2021.
2021
Pastor Isaac Hayes is called to serve as pastor at St. John's.