In 1875, Minnesota’s farming communities were thriving thanks to fertile soil and expanding railroads. Several towns and counties saw new establishments as settlers continued to move westward. One of those establishments was St. John’s Lutheran Church, Minneola Township. The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) congregation will mark their 150th anniversary with special services and a catered meal on Sunday, September 14th. All are welcome.
The 10 AM service will feature Pastor Jon Hadler, whose father and grandparents were members of St. John’s. Jon currently serves at St. Mathhew’s Church in Marathon, Wisconsin. A noon meal catered by Bridget’s Café of Zumbrota will be served under a tent on the parish lawn. A 2:30 PM service will be conducted by Pastor Dennis Klatt, president of WELS Minnesota District and associate pastor at Holy Trinity, New Hope. Liturgist for both services will be St. John’s pastor, Randall Kuznicki who says, “Our gracious God has continued to be with us to keep us in His loving care and to bless us in so many ways, especially by preserving his Scripture Truth among us”.
Minneola Township officially organized in 1859. St. John’s history dates back to an arrangement with St. Peter’s Congregation, Pine Island Township, commonly known as the Poplar Grove Congregation. Organized around 1866, St. Peter’s began sending their pastors to conduct services in homes of German Lutheran families living in the Minneola area. Under the leadership of Reverend William Lange, 18 men became charter members of the new congregation.
Although early records were destroyed in a fire, it is believed the church was formally organized in 1875 and the building erected before 1877 when secretarial records were again available. Later records tell of adding the steeple and placing a bell in the tower in 1895.
The Poplar Grove and Minneola locations spurred the creation of what is now Christ Lutheran Church in Zumbrota. The Poplar Grove church eventually became inactive and Minneola became a joint parish with the Zumbrota congregation until its growth offered independence. Minneola stood on its own from 1920 to 1922 when it again became a dual parish, this time with St. Peter’s in Goodhue. That partnership continued until 2016 when St. John’s voted to be a separate entity.
The Church underwent many changes and advancements in the following decades. The German Lutheran church began holding services in English and the congregation officially joined the Wisconsin Synod. The church interior was renovated and redecorated and was known to many as “The Pink Church” until its most recent painting in 2018. In 1948 the building was wired for electricity and a separate parish hall was built in 1950. The first use of the parish hall was for a meeting of the Ladies’ Aid, who raised and donated money to the building project.
The Ladies’ Aid was established in 1937 with 13 official members. A hand-written copy of the constitution lays out responsibilities of officers and the by-laws called for 25 cent monthly dues, raised to 50 cents in 1969. They also called for 5 refreshments at each meeting but in 1961 amended it to read, “All refreshments are to be governed by having three (3) articles instead of five (5) articles and that we discontinue the passing of food for a second time excepting the coffee”. The present Ladies’ Aid sustains 6-8 members and they have been largely responsible for planning the upcoming sesquicentennial celebration.
The 76-member church is governed by a council of 5 men. Currently serving as president is Dale Hadler; secretary, David Hadler; treasurer, Myron Scharpen; and directors, Tom Tonsager and Tim Thermos. The council approves projects including painting, roofing and repairs of the church and parish hall, handicap access, cemetery upkeep and lawn and landscape projects. Recent improvements are a new sidewalk and landscape lighting that illuminates the church at night.
The council works closely with Pastor Kuznicki who has served the congregation since 1984. “There have been many changes over these years, including many members being called home to heaven, and considerable changes to our church and property, especially over the last nine years,” he said. “What a pleasure it has been to serve the people at St. John's for 41 years. The years have flown by and it is humbling to realize that I have been privileged to shepherd the flock of God's sheep and lambs here for longer than any other pastor in our history.”
Pastor Kuznicki is not the only member with a long history of service at St. John’s. Through the years many have been recognized for their accomplishments, including Victor Schulz and Mrs. W.J. (Hattie) Hadler for 25 years as Sunday School teachers, Robert Born for 40 years as trustee, and Mrs. Walter (Esther) Hadler for more than 50 years as organist – a position presently shared by Mrs. Dale (Kathy) Hadler with nearly 40 years and Mrs. Tim (Julie) Thermos playing for 49 years.
“God's people here at St. John's have faithfully served the Lord, despite the difficulties imposed by things like the Covid virus and many other challenges over the years.” Kuznicki continued, “I am especially grateful that they have supported and encouraged me as their pastor and have generously given of their time, talents and treasure for the spread of our Lord's Gospel message here and across the world. I continue to be heartened by the faith of these believers in Jesus, and pray that we will keep working together in love and godly unity and harmony as long as our gracious God wills.”
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Minneola Township is located at the intersection of Goodhue County Road 7 and 410th Street, Zumbrota. Pastor Kuznicki can be reached at 651-380-1542 or email, kuznicki@sleepyeyetel.net.
