OUR HISTORY

St. Johns joins the United Church of Christ in our belief that our faith is 2000 years old, but our thinking is not.

How we came together

A group of newly arrived German immigrants came together with Rev. Louis Nollau to found St. Johns in 1838. They had left a rigid and restrictive social system in Germany, where their “place” in community was determined by rulers and customs. They were among a flood of German Immigrants arriving in this region in the 1830s. They brought with them an extraordinary faith. They built a new community, sharing God’s love with all people.

At a time when most religions placed carefully defined expectations on their followers, our German Evangelical predecessors brought with them a radical living faith. Their faith was not based on doctrine and rules; it was based on living out the gospel. It was of the heart.

Our official name is St. Johns Evangelical United Church of Christ. The “Evangelical” of St. Johns is NOT the “Evangelical” currently used in mass communications. It is much closer to the original meaning, which is “of the gospel.” Our predecessors in the faith set an example of living one’s faith, promoting peace, and
seeking conciliation.

We continue to strive to be a source of encouragement and peace in the world. This church has grown and evolved beyond what they could ever have imagined. However like us, they too, were striving for a better life for their families, community and themselves. They “dared to live by faith, and we have in our lives the fruit of their faith.

Rev. Nollau was a dynamic leader whose kind heart was filled with a deep faith and commitment to mission work. At first his ministering to German immigrants did not seem to be a “mission” call – at least the kind of call he had anticipated. Throughout his ministry, he nurtured “Inner Mission”, “a term that is used to describe activities within Christian congregations aimed at strengthening faith and supporting good works and charitable institutions.” We continue with this spirit of welcome and compassion.

Rev. Nollau also founded the Evangelical Synod of North America, here at St. Johns, in 1840. This association between sister congregations lead to the cooperative support of many mission and outreach organizations. It was later joined with the Reformed church to become the Evangelical and Reformed, and is now United Church of Christ, a united and uniting denomination.

Structure

Our Church Structure is organized around mission and ministry through the work of Staff, Church Council, Commissions, Committees, Aspirational Goal Teams, Organizations, Informal Groups and Individuals. Each works to live out our vision statement.

The Church Council serves as the governing board of St. Johns. It is comprised of 12 members, including the church officers, all elected by the Congregation. Its duties are to set policy, review the work of the church, transact the business of the congregation, and to hire non-clergy staff. Ordained Clergy are called by the congregation.

OUR HISTORY

St. Johns joins the United Church of Christ in our belief that our faith is 2000 years old, but our thinking is not.

How we came together

Structure

Phone

(314) 892-0848

Connect

Address

11333 St. Johns Church Rd St.Louis, MO 63123

Office Hours

Mon.-Thurs. 8:30am-4:30pm