St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Springfield, Ohio)
January 01, 1970
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church is a historic Lutheran church in downtown Springfield, Ohio, United States. Founded as a German-speaking parish in Springfield's early days, it grew rapidly during its first few decades, and its present large church building was constructed in the 1890s under the direction of one of Springfield's leading architects. The congregation remains in the landmark church building, which has been named a historic site.
Springfield's First Lutheran congregation was organized in May 1841,[2]: 494 and a separate group of German Lutherans began meeting soon afterward. After a period of worshipping in the county courthouse and in various rented properties, the group was formally organized in 1845 with a charter membership of seventy-five. A number of short-tenured ministers served the congregation, with six in succession over forty years, but by the 1880s the congregation's roll had approximately four hundred names, and its property was valued at $20,000.[2]: 495 As the congregation continued to grow, the present church building was erected; the cornerstone was laid on November 3, 1895, and the finished building was consecrated on April 26, 1897. By 1908, the church property was valued at $50,000, and the membership had grown from four hundred individuals to four hundred and fifty families. This growth was accompanied by linguistic change: many members still worshipped in German, but English services had also begun by this time, facilitated by a minister who was fluent in both languages.[2]: 496
Architectureedit
Designed by Charles A. Cregar,[1] one of Springfield's most prominent architects,[3] St. John's is a Romanesque Revival structure with a prominent corner tower.[4] Although built primarily of brick,[5] the walls also feature copious amounts of limestone and other types of stone. Asphalt is used for the roof, while the foundation is composed of a mix of sandstone and other types of stone. The main entrance is placed at the base of the tower, which features narrow arched windows on three stories below the tall louvering that shelters the belfry. Because the church sits on a street corner, two different sides of the building include massive gabled sections, each rising above groups of small windows. The building's two largest windows are found in these gables; both are far taller and broader than any door and any other window in the structure.[4]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Springfield, Ohio).
January 01, 1970
john, evangelical, lutheran, church, springfield, ohio, john, evangelical, lutheran, church, historic, lutheran, church, downtown, springfield, ohio, united, states, founded, german, speaking, parish, springfield, early, days, grew, rapidly, during, first, dec. St John s Evangelical Lutheran Church is a historic Lutheran church in downtown Springfield Ohio United States Founded as a German speaking parish in Springfield s early days it grew rapidly during its first few decades and its present large church building was constructed in the 1890s under the direction of one of Springfield s leading architects The congregation remains in the landmark church building which has been named a historic site St John s Evangelical Lutheran ChurchU S National Register of Historic PlacesEastern facadeShow map of OhioShow map of the United StatesLocation27 N Wittenberg Ave Springfield OhioCoordinates39 55 33 N 83 48 52 W 39 92583 N 83 81444 W 39 92583 83 81444AreaLess than 1 acre 0 40 ha Built1897 1897 ArchitectCharles A CregarArchitectural styleRomanesque RevivalNRHP reference No 06000485 1 Added to NRHPJune 7 2006 Contents 1 Early history 2 Architecture 3 Recent history 4 ReferencesEarly history editSpringfield s First Lutheran congregation was organized in May 1841 2 494 and a separate group of German Lutherans began meeting soon afterward After a period of worshipping in the county courthouse and in various rented properties the group was formally organized in 1845 with a charter membership of seventy five A number of short tenured ministers served the congregation with six in succession over forty years but by the 1880s the congregation s roll had approximately four hundred names and its property was valued at 20 000 2 495 As the congregation continued to grow the present church building was erected the cornerstone was laid on November 3 1895 and the finished building was consecrated on April 26 1897 By 1908 the church property was valued at 50 000 and the membership had grown from four hundred individuals to four hundred and fifty families This growth was accompanied by linguistic change many members still worshipped in German but English services had also begun by this time facilitated by a minister who was fluent in both languages 2 496 Architecture editDesigned by Charles A Cregar 1 one of Springfield s most prominent architects 3 St John s is a Romanesque Revival structure with a prominent corner tower 4 Although built primarily of brick 5 the walls also feature copious amounts of limestone and other types of stone Asphalt is used for the roof while the foundation is composed of a mix of sandstone and other types of stone The main entrance is placed at the base of the tower which features narrow arched windows on three stories below the tall louvering that shelters the belfry Because the church sits on a street corner two different sides of the building include massive gabled sections each rising above groups of small windows The building s two largest windows are found in these gables both are far taller and broader than any door and any other window in the structure 4 Recent history editSt John s remains an active congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America conducting activities such as ministry to the poor inter church events and day care service out of its 1897 church building 6 In 2006 the church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places qualifying because of its historically significant architecture It is one of six Cregar designed buildings listed on the Register along with St Joseph s Catholic Church the former Arcade Hotel the former Municipal Building the former Third Presbyterian Church and St Raphael s Catholic Church 1 References edit a b c National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service July 9 2010 a b c Rockel William M ed 20th Century History of Springfield and Clark County Ohio and Representative Citizens Chicago Biographical 1908 Dabe Melissa Explore Designs by Springfield s Finest Victorian Architect Springfield News Sun 2012 08 23 Accessed 2014 02 24 a b St John s Evangelical Lutheran Church Ohio Historical Society 2007 Accessed 2014 02 24 Photograph in infobox St John s Evangelical Lutheran Church n d Accessed 2014 02 24 nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to St John s Evangelical Lutheran Church Springfield Ohio Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title St John 27s Evangelical Lutheran Church Springfield Ohio amp oldid 1134077660, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
