History of St. John's Lutheran Church</b>

History - Lyons

History of St. John's Lutheran Church
By Jeanne Frey; as recorded in the original German records
Click on photo at right to view larger image

Following the German Revolution of 1848, great numbers of 'war-weary' Germans migrated to the United States in search of peace. Again in 1871, following the Wars of Bismarck, a second migratory movement, in the same direction and for this same purpose, occurred.

When the second wave of migrants came, the First Lutheran Church at Lyons, New York, already filled to capacity with worshippers, was simply unable to care for the newcomers. Renting pews as a source of church income was the universal custom in this country at that time and these new Lutherans, recently from Germany, could not worship as they had been accustomed. It was suggested that a new addition be built to First Church and money sufficient for this purpose had been raised but for some curious reason the Council of First Church voted the proposition down.

Reverend Manz was the pastor of First Church at the time. It is clear from the records that he was much in sympathy with the idea of a new addition to the Church and actually resigned in protest to the action by the Council. Reverend Manz organized this orphaned group of his fellow countrymen into a Church and called it St. John's Lutheran Church. This took place May 18th, 1877.

This new Church group worshipped for a short time in a building on the present site of the Lyons Elementary School and laid the Corner Stone of the present building on July 10, 1877. The new church building was dedicated on January 2, 1878.

'The people had a mind to work' with God's help and direction made this structure the outstanding project of their lives. Men and women worked in the fields hauling sand and stones, mixed mortar, made the excavation, laid the foundation and completed the building without a contractor or architect. On October 8, 1877 the present 1400-pound bell was hung in the tower.

The names of the first officers of the church were inscribed in this bell: Jacob Miller, Andrew Schenk, Fred Heinrich, Philip Eich, Joachim Bramer, George Majewski, George Halbert, Fred Borck, Fred Laas, and George Metz. Also inscribed in German was the following inscription: 'When e're I call, to God come all.'

One hundred and twenty three years have passed since these devoted people, having finished their course, have long since passed unto their heavenly reward. The building they raised with their willing hands stands today as a monument to their faith in Jesus Christ and their desire to worship Him. The congregation that followed them was composed of their own children largely and of new arrivals from the Fatherland. The congregation that worships there today is one and three generations removed.

The following pastors have served St. John's Lutheran Church since 1877:

Reverend Manz, Reverend Schoner, Reverend Asbeck, Reverend C. Guldenapfel, Reverend H. Hartwig, Reverend Schmieder, Reverend Kaston, Reverend Graubau, Reverend Beiderbecke, Reverend T. Hoffmeister, Reverend Reick, Reverend Rodiger, Reverend Voss, Reverend Berg, Reverend Butterer, Reverend Markovits, Reverend Fletcher, Reverend G. Whitlock, Reverend Fletcher, Reverend Trexler, Reverend Droth, Reverend J Mylnar, and Reverend Constance Grogan. Reverend Pan Werner (two of the congregation's first female pastors) Reverend Paul Klett (an Army Chaplain who had served in Europe, often filling interim vacancies in the pulpit), Reverend William Beckworth, Reverend Robough, and present Pastor Jack Bailey.

The present parsonage, which is located next to the church, was constructed in the 1880's. In the early 1900's the present organ was installed and provides fine service for the congregation and its visitors.

(I approached St. John's church several years ago while researching the Frey family history, and was told that due to a tragic fire, all records were lost, ending my search there. On May 20, 2001 I learned that all records were not lost! - JBF)

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