The history of what is now called "St. John's Lutheran Church" at Schubert extends back more than an even hundred years, demonstrably to 1844 and probably a little more. More, because it is a "holy history" that we commemorate. Not that everything that happened in the period of time that we recall was without blemish. Such is never the case in the course of human events. What marks out this span of years as "holy history" is the continuing, loving-kindness of God. The story that is told here is not just the recounting of events and actions. It is that. But, it is more. Beneath the surface of historical record, it is the story of God revealing His love through Word and Sacrament. It is the story of God acting in the lives of real people, judging and forgiving, pardoning and prospering. It is the story of "A Century of Grace in a Country Place." (The Centennial Theme from 1969).

 

Actually, more than a century of grace is commemorated in this centennial celebration because the story of St. John's reaches further back than 100 years. A full twenty-five years before the organization of this parish as "St. John's Lutheran Church." the Lord had a little flock of believers here, at least as early as 1844 - the Osage Point Church. This congregation, however had no resident pastor and services could be held only sporadically. As the population of the community expanded and the means presented themselves, the desire to stabilize and expand the work of this congregation resulted in the calling of a resident pastor and a firmer organization. 1869 marks the coming of a resident pastor and the reorganization of St. John's Congregation. A major milestone.

 

Telling the story of St. John's factually is difficult, especially in the earliest years, due to the lack of local records. Documents from the years 1844-1869 are exceedingly scant, as might be expected under the circumstances. The parish register begins entries with 1869, but minutes of the Voters' Assembly do not begin until 1887. It is thought that records from this era, which had been placed in the safe of the Schubert store, were destroyed when fire razed this old community landmark. Information about this period has been gleaned from letters, synodical records and miscellaneous extant documents. Local documents from the period after 1887 make the story more readily available after that year.

 

The story of St. John's prior to 1887 has been reconstructed as accurately as possible on the basis of the available material. Of necessity, some deduction forms a part of this reconstruction. Every attempt has been made to keep the story to what can actually be documented and what may be reasonably deduced from this material, although at points certain appropriate speculations are included in the hope that they may evoke response from the reader. Should anyone possess information which would further support, alter, or amplify what is given, it would be greatly appreciated if they would make available to the parish archivist, so that the story of St. John's may be recorded as fully and accurately as possible.

 

The story itself seems to suggest three definite divisions: (1) 1843-1868; (2) 1869- 1920; (3) 1921-present. The first era covers the span of years before the congregation was organized as "St. John's Lutheran Church." The second period encompasses the years from the arrival of a resident pastor until the congregation affiliated with a synod, during which it was an "independent" congregation. During this time, many of the pastors who served St. John's belonged to the Iowa Synod, even though the congregation itself never belonged to that synod. The third epoch is the time of affiliation with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

 

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