History of St. John

St. John was founded by immigrants and first-generation German and Czech families as St. John's Evangelical Church in 1854.

On March 2, 1856, St. John became an organized congregation under the leadership of Rev. H. R. Ealy.
Worship services were held at the Banner Valley Log School on the Carrie Worley farm.

20 years later, in 1877, the town of Ely was laid out and established.

In 1886, the congregation of St. John purchased a building for worship from Methodists in North Liberty for $250. The building was placed at 1420 Walker street - the present location of the church.

In 1950, the church building was sold to Leo Jansa at an auction for $205. The church bell was retained, and it is still used today.

On August 25, 1951, a new church building was dedicated. It also stood at 1420 Walker Street.

In 1965, church members purchased some land near the church and built, with the help of congregation members, a parsonage. The parsonage was dedicated on November 1, 1965. The parsonage still stands at that location on 1660 Rowley Street.

In 1981, St. John called its fist, full-time pastor, Rev. James McGee.

In 1984, St. John called a new full-time pastor, Rev. Leroy Bradway. Throughout Pastor Bradway's tenure, several things were improved: the basement was remodeled, the church pews were refinished, and dividers were added to Sunday School rooms.

In 1995, St. John expanded its worship space with an additon. The additon houses new pastor and staff offices as well as a new Fellowship Hall. In addition, an elevator was installed to help those with that need.

In 2000, St. John called a new full-time pastor, Rev. Jeff Borgwardt.

We invite you to become part of the history of St. John!