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History of St. John
Late 1880's
Piqua has major population and economic boom.
Early 1890's
Religious explosion, seven new denominations organize churches in the city.
July 15, 1888
Evangelical Lutheran Mission (supported by the Lutheran Church in St. Paris) meets for the first time.
March 1890
Grown large enough to support a minister and was organized under the name St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor P.S. Swinehart served both Piqua and St. Paris.
1891
A frame Gothic-style church was built on the northeast corner of Wood and Downing Streets.
1892
Responsive liturgy was adopted.
1894
A church choir was organized.
1900
Church declared it was self-supporting and ended dependence on the parent church. They shared ministers until 1938.
1904
Indoor plumbing hooked up. Membership numbered over 100 adult members.
1913
The present-day Gothic-Romanesque-style church was dedicated. Built and furnished for an estimated $18,000.