Brief History of St. John's Lutheran, Flushing, NYC

As many immigrants from Europe, especially Germany, were settling in Queens, New York, in the late 1800's, a new Lutheran congregation was begun in Flushing in 1893, under the leadership of Pastor A.E. Schmitthenner, to serve these immigrants and the community of Queens. The incorporation papers for the congregation are dated May 3, 1893. The Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod was formed out of the Eastern District in 1906, and the Lutheran Church of St. John became a member congregation of the Atlantic District.
Some of the first members listed in the early minutes of the congregation's meetings were: Diedrich Badenhop, August Schattschneider, Louis Henze, Henry Mehske, Wolfgang Arndt, John Weis, Paul Kyle, Adolf Graefenstein, Samuel Sigrist, Pauline Zorn, Ludwig Knoesel, Henry Zobel, William Zobel, Mr. Prigge, Mr. Vogelbach, Mr. Uhlig, Mr. Tonges.
Over these many years the congregation has been served by many faith-filled and capable lay-leaders and pastors. After Pastor Schmitthenner, 1893-1895, the pastors who served the congregation were Pastor Richard J.W. Mekler, 1895-1902; Pastor J. Rathke, 1902-1904; Pastor Christian G. Kaestner, 1904-1936; Pastor Detlef A. Kraft, 1936-1966; Pastor R. Patrick Cruppenink, 1968-1974; Pastor Dwayne Mau, 1974-1980. The Rev. Dr. Ronald W. Lehenbauer has been serving as Pastor of the congregation since 1981.
The first worship services of the congregation were held at the Public Library Hall (for a monthly rental of $10). It was soon decided to build a new church building. A lot was purchased on 147th & Beech Avenue ((Percy Street at that time) and the cornerstone was laid in October, 1894. The new church was dedicated in February, 1895. In 1896 the minutes record that the women of the congregation raised enough money ($375) to purchase an organ for the gallery. With much growth in the 1950's, the congregation built a new, larger brick worship center, dedicated June 5, 1955, on the corner of Sanford Avenue and 149thStreet, the current location. In 1965 the Annex, also known as the Miller House) was purchased, which became the location for more congregational ministry, a future school, and housing for sextons and assistant ministers. The parking lot was also completed in 1965.
Over these many years God's people here have served our Lord Jesus' mission in many and various ways: Bible classes, the Sunday School, adult and children's choirs, the Ladies Aid Society, Women's Guild, Walther League and youth groups, a senior's group, the acolytes, the altar guild, koinonia groups, Stephen Ministry, nursing home ministry, and a thrift shop; St. John's is also a member of the Queens Citizens.
Organization, and a sponsoring congregation of Martin Luther High School, Maspeth, the Wartburg Home for the Aged, Brooklyn, the Lutheran Counseling Center, Mineola, and Concordia College, Bronxville.
In 1975, in cooperation with a sister congregation in Flushing, Resurrection Lutheran Church, St. John congregation opened a parochial school, the Lutheran School of Flushing, adding a grade a year. This school ministry has evolved over the years into the Lutheran School of Flushing and Bayside, currently sponsored by St. John's and Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bayside. Mr. Paul Albert is currently serving as Principal, with over 200 children enrolled in programs including an early childhood department, a full elementary school with grades 1-8, day care, and an after-school program.
During the past thirty years many changes have come to the community which St. John congregation has been serving. A new influx of immigrants from all around the world has made Flushing one of the most ethnically diverse, cosmopolitan areas of the world. With this mission field at our door, the congregation set new goals and made an intentional effort to return to it's original purpose, to be a missionary church, reaching out to all the new people around us with the Gospel and love of God. New ministries were started: a group of deacons was developed to provide more lay-leadership for ministry; small koinonia groups were begun, a ministry of helping immigrants become United States Citizens was begun; ESL classes have begun under the leadership of part-time Minister of Youth and Mission Outreach, Tonya Eza; a host ministry and prayer partners were begun, with new badges and ribbons to help new members feel welcome; a "spiritual formation path" has been developed to assist members, old and new, to grow in their life with God and Christian discipleship and be assimilated in the life and work of the church; a new choir has been formed under the leadership of our Music Leader, John Hong; and a congregational web-site on the internet was developed.
God has blessed the congregation over these years in many ways. St. John's has become a church of all nations, with people from many different backgrounds coming to faith in our Savior, being baptized, growing in the Lord and serving him together.
The current membership of the congregation numbers approximately 140 baptized members. During the first 75 years 1141 infants and adults were baptized, over 800 youth and adults were confirmed, and 637 marriages were consecrated. During the past 22 years 95 infants and adults have been baptized, 30 marriages were blessed, and 147 funeral services were held, sending off members and former members to our heavenly home.
While celebrating God's grace and blessings of the past 110 years, the congregation is also working and planning for its future ministry and mission in Queens. To God alone be the glory. His love and grace in Christ Jesus, His promises that give us eternal hope, and His Holy Spirit as the fire burning within His people, is the power that enables, blesses and hallows His church for the most glorious work on earth. May this faith, hope, and love continue to fill the hearts of all the people of God at the Lutheran Church of St. John.