Our History
The sheep of Jesus were in need of a shepherd. They had moved into the Lewiston-Clarkston area and had no church here of their confession. They made their plea to the Wisconsin Synod and on April 30, 1912, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized. The first pastor was installed in September, 1912.
Services were first held in Lewiston, ID in a rented Christian Church in the vicinity of 10th and Main streets for several years. The church services were moved to Clarkston and the congregation rented Our Savior's Lutheran Church on 4th and Sycamore. This move was done as most of the members were Clarkston residents.
In 1921, the congregation bought their own property at 7th and Diagonal in Clarkston. The decision to construct a church was made in May 1923, and in November 1923 the St. John's congregation dedicated their new building. The church furniture (altar, lectern and pulpit) was built by the pastor at that time. It was all built by hand from pine lumber, stained and varnished a dark walnut color. The furnishings were trimmed in gold beading and rosettes. The pews were copied from Our Savior's with the wood being supplied by Troy Lumber. Services were held at 7th and Diagonal for 40 years with the last service being held in August 1963. (The building is still there, being used as residence.)
The congregation decided that it would be for the best interest of the spreading the gospel that it should rebuild at a different location. The Diagonal property was sold and land on 14th and Birch was purchased.
The former building of Our Savior's Lutheran Church was again used for services while St. John's set out to build their own new church. Our present church at 14th and Birch streets was built in 1964. Construction was done mostly by the congregational members. The interior of the church was completed enough that the first service in the new church was held in the end of November 1964. The building was then dedicated in September 1965.
The land next to the church property became available to buy and was purchased in 1979 with the parsonage built in 1981.
St. John's Lutheran Church left the Wisconsin Synod in 1957 over scriptural differences and joined the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC), based in Eau Claire, WI. The congregation is still a member of the CLC.
From 1912 to the present, the Lord has manifested His grace among us for which we render our heartfelt thanks to Him.