1836:  Beginning in 1836 and for several years following, immigrants from three parishes in Hanover, Germany arrived in the United States and settled in Cincinnati.  Over the next two years, they saved sufficient income to purchase land in Jackson County, Indiana.

1838:  On July 11, 1838, 45 men met in Cincinnati to discuss the establishment of a church to care for the spiritual welfare of the settlers, and a school to educate their children.  Less than three weeks later, they purchased 40 acres of Jackson County land upon which to build their church and school.  The cost: $1.25 per acre.

On August 31, 1838, the congregation adopted its first constitution.  The subscription of the original 39 members of the congregation on September 7, 1838 marked the beginning of the "German Evangelical Church" in Jackson County.

1839:  The first regular council, elected on January 1, 1839, was comprised of men from both Cincinnati and Jackson County.

In late Fall 1839, Pastor Moehlmann (of Cincinnati) laid the cornerstone of the log church.

1841:  Pastor Friederich Isensee, later president of the Southern District of Ohio Synod, became the first regular minister of the congregation.  He served here until 1844.

1844:  The first parsonage was completed.  Pastor John Meissner was engaged by the congregation in early 1844 to replace Pastor Isensee. He served until 1845.

1846:  Pastor Friederich Boetticher was chosen to minister to the church. He remained until 1848.

1848:  Pastor John G. Sauer was elected by the congregation to serve St. John's.

In mid summer 1848, Pastor Sauer persuaded the congregation to construct a school building. 

1853: St. John's called its first teacher, J. Kaeppel, who remained until 1857.  Mr. Kaeppel's parochial school instruction was interrupted during the three winter months by public school instruction, as well.

1857: Heinrich Nolting was called as the school's teacher in 1857 and remained at St. John's for 35 years, until his retirement in 1892.  In 1858, the congregation built a log house for his residence.

1858: St. John's becomes affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

1862: A new church, school, and parsonage were constructed by 1862 under the direction of Pastor Sauer.

1869: A branch school, commonly referred to as the "north district" was built for children who had too great a distance to walk to the original school built on church grounds.  Wilhelm Baumgart operated the school in this district for 35 years, until his death in 1904.

1872: The St. John's parochial school system was developed, receiving no assistance from the State or County.

During the 37 years of Pastor Sauer's tenure, Lutheran congregations were established in Dudleytown, Wegan, Seymour, and Immanuel, as a result of the establishment of a solid church at St. John's.

1885: Rev. G. W. Polack was elected by the congregation to serve St. John's.  He served until 1889.

1888: A branch school, commonly referred to as the "south district" was built for children who had too great a distance to walk to the original school built on church grounds.  Maria Nolting, daughter of Teacher Nolting, was engaged to operate the south district school.

1889: Rev. F. W. Pohlmann was called by the congregation to serve St. John's. He served until 1920.

1920: Pastor George Meyer was elected by the congregation to serve St. John's. He served until 1926.

1926: Rev. J. Th. Destinon was called by the congregation to serve St. John's. He served until 1946.  Pastor Destinon wrote the history of our congregation (upon which this summary is based) as part of the 100 year anniversary of St. John's in 1940.

1946: Rev. Alvin Mueller was elected by the congregation to serve St. John's. He served until 1973.  Pastor Mueller oversaw the construction of our "new" school, beginning in 1950.  It replaced the old "one-room schoolhouse" which had served the congregation for over 70 years.

1973: Pastor Earl Petzold was called by the congregation to serve St. John's. He served until 1980.  Reverend Petzold was instrumental in the expansion of the school building in 1978 to include a new wing, in response to growing enrollment.

1980: Rev. John P. Drush was selected by the congregation to serve St. John's. He served until 1998.  Pastor Drush was instrumental in the expansion of our school enrollment, assisting in the development and implementation of three and four year old preschool, as well as kindergarten in 1994.

1999: Rev. Craig Muhlbach was called by the congregation to serve St. John's and continues to serve as our pastor.  In late 2007, Pastor Muhlbach was called to serve the religious needs of our troops in Iraq as a member of the Indiana Army National Guard's 76th Infantry Brigade.

2007: The Build With Christ program, funded by the generosity of the members of the congregation, results im the construction of a new gymnasium and multi-purpose center, as well as a major remodel of the 1950 and 1978 school buildings. 

2008: Vicar David Kane provides spiritual leadership and assists Pastor Muhlbach in his ministry to the congregation during Pastor's absence.

2009: Rev. Craig Muhlbach returns from his overseas military duty and resumes his ministry to the congregation.  Rev. David Kane becomes pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Chillocothe, Ohio.