Dr. Walther, president of the Lutheran seminary in St. Louis, sent a candidate, C. H. Siegmund Buttermann, to organize the congregation on May 13, 1849. He died just two months later of Cholera.

Pastor Eirich served from 1849 - 1866 and the church was built. The school begun by Rev. Buttermann grew until a teacher was called, Teacher F. Schachemeyer of St. Louis. The school was built in 1865.

After Pastor Eirich, Pastor Martin Stephan of New York served until 1875. Rev. J.A.F.W. Mueller served from 1875 until 1900. At that time a larger church was built and a new pipe organ was installed. Also a new addition was added to the school.

Rev. C. Strasen served after Pastor Mueller and he started English services. Until that time all services were in German. He was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Behrens and Teacher M. H. Grefe was called to teach at St. John's School. A new school was built in 1913 at a cost of $8,500.

The church was remodeled in 1922. Pastor H.S. Schreck succeeded Pastor Behrens and served from 1924 until his death in 1948. Rev. O.B. Hussmann served from 1949-1957. On July 1, 1950 the Rev. Henry Gerecke became Assistant Pastor of St. John and also Lutheran Chaplain at Menard Correctional Center and Chester Mental Health Center. Pastor Gerecke died in 1961.

Rev. Eric Cash served as pastor from July 28, 1957 until1967 when he became chaplain at the prison. Roland C. Rehmer became principal of the school. In 1967 Rev. W. Arnold Ranta became pastor. In 1981 Pastor Ranta accepted a call to serve as Chaplain at the Chester Mental Health Center and the Psychiatric Center at Menard.

Rev. C. Frederick Campbell was installed as the congregations 11th pastor on June 1, 1974. Pastor Campbell had served as a vicar (student pastor) under Pastor Campbell. The congregation had served as a vicarage congregation for several years, and that continued under Pastor Campbell. Pastor Campbell retired in 1994. Pastor Dennis Tegtmeier was called as Senior Pastor in 1993. Pastor Mark Willig was called as Assistant Pastor in 1994. He served in that capacity until Pastor Tegtmeier took a call in 1996. Pastor Willig became Senior Pastor in November, 1996.

Rev. Martin Springer came as a vicar in the winter of 1998. He served his vicarage year and then stayed to become Associate Pastor in January of 1999. Our school principal is Christopher Urquhart. In 2002 Rev. Springer took a call to Otto, Missouri. Rev. Bertram Schirmer served with Rev. Willig during the vacancy. Vicar David Kern and his family joined us in August, 2004. Vicar Matthew Buse and his wife Rachel joined us in August of 2005.

It is with thankful hearts that our congregation looks back on the many blessings God has showered down upon us in the faithful workers He has provided. Truly, He is our Shepherd and Lord. All glory be to Jesus.