History of Saint John Lutheran Church of Abingdon (1961 – 2012)
In 2012, St. John celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary! As part of that celebration, a chronology was developed to document major points that transpired from the outset of the church to the current date. We present that work here for posterity and hope to renew it periodically to underscore all of the great things with which we are blessed!
1961, September
Reverend Edwin Troutman wrote a letter proposing a meeting to plan a new Lutheran Church in Washington County, Virginia. It was so well received that this same month, sixty-four people gathered to begin the planning for the first worship service to be held on October 1, 1961, a very ambitious goal.
1961, October 1
The new Abingdon congregation met in the chapel of the Henderson Funeral Home.
There were forty-five people in attendance. Ten of those people were in the choir. A Sunday school class also began this month.
1961, November
The Board of American Missions of the United Lutheran Church (predecessor of the ELCA) granted approval for a mission congregation to begin in Washington County, Virginia.
1961, December
The Lutheran Synod of Virginia took under its special care the organization of a Lutheran Church in Abingdon and an organizational committee was formed. The first Potluck supper was enjoyed by the ladies of “A new Lutheran church, to be named, in Washington County”.1962, January 7
The church is officially named “St. John Lutheran Church” and the service is designated “Charter Sunday.” The membership rolls opened and the campaign slogan “62 in ’62” is coined.
1962, April 8
The first Church Council was formed and a constitution was adopted at a meeting of all charter members at the Smith’s Party House in Abingdon.
1962, April 15
The “Service of Organization” was held at Henderson Funeral Home’s chapel. The service was conducted by the Synod president.
1962, April 22
It is Easter and St. John’s first Holy Communion service is held.
1962, May 1
St. John has official representation at the Lutheran Synod of Virginia at which St. John was received into the Synod. The American Board of Missions accepted St. John as a mission church, arranged for a pastor’s call and a parsonage, and placed St. John on the list for a church.
1962, November
A lot on Gillespie Drive in Abingdon was deemed the location of the parsonage building site and approved for purchase.
1962, December
In the Order of Installation, conducted by Dr. J. Luther Mauny, President of the Virginia synod, St. John received its first pastor, Reverend Roger Kluttz.
1963, January
An organizational meeting of the Lutheran Church women of St. John was held, officers elected and a minimum budget determined.
1963, March
Church building plans began. The $9,000 budget was to seat 153 persons in the nave, five classrooms, a nursery, a fellowship hall, bathrooms and a kitchen. Mr. C.B. Kearfott was chosen as the architect for the church building program.
1963, Fall
The parsonage was occupied by the Kluttz family and was blessed and dedicated by Dr. R.G. Schultz, Dean of the southwest District of the Lutheran Synod of Virginia.
1963 – Overall
A very busy year as congregational life evolved. Luther League and the LCW were very active in the community. A youth choir began, the Wolfe hayride tradition began, and membership rolls continued to grow.
1964
The church building site was purchased from Mr. Herbert Stuart of Abingdon and final plans for the first unit of the St. John’s church building were approved.
1965
Construction plans were completed and Burwil Construction Company of Bristol was awarded the contract.
1965, April 11
The third anniversary of St. John was marked at the ground-breaking services conducted by Dr. J. Luther Mauny, president of the Virginia Synod.
1966, January 16
Memberships were transferred to St. John as Luther Chapel ceased to function as a congregation.
1967
St. John recognized its fifth anniversary. There were 167 baptized members on the enrollment. Pastor Kluttz submitted his resignation.
1969
The congregation received a pastoral greeting from Pastor Williams and his family.
1970 and 1971
These were years of struggle and slow growth but the spirit of St. John continued to take seriously its mission obligations and religious work. Congregation involvement in the community was strong.
1972
Pastor Williams resigned to serve the Synod but Pastor Robert Anderson accepted the call to St. John in December.
1973
A pre-school was started at St. John; five children enrolled in November of 1973.
1975
St. John began sharing the church building with the Catholic Mission (which became Christ the King Catholic Church).
1975
Mock’s Chapel was sold to Faith Baptist Church.
1976
The parsonage was debt-free. Our first outdoor service was held at the Washington County Park.
1977
St John accepted the first seminary intern family from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina.
1979
St. John began using the new, green Lutheran Book of Worship. The parking lot was paved, and a monthly newsletter was started.
1980
Pastor Anderson resigned to pursue another career.
1981
Pastor Eric Moehring accepted the call to St. John.
1982
St. John celebrated its twentieth anniversary with a special emphasis on its history. A new ecumenical project began-the Helping Hand Distribution Center.
1983
Christ the King Catholic Church’s building was ready to be used. Although their congregation left our building, we continued to serve together ecumenically, such as with vacation bible school.
1984
First meeting to discuss plans for expansion and renovation of St. John’s church building was held.
1985
St. John became self-supporting and its ties to the Lutheran Church of American’s Division of Missions in North America were severed.
1986
Ground-breaking ceremonies were conducted for the new addition to our facility. Service to bless the new addition was held in October.
1987
St. John celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary. Special services were held at Mocks’ Chapel and later at Luther Chapel.
1987
Richard Bansemer was installed as Bishop of the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. He is the son of St. John members, Rheinhold and Oralee Bansemer.
1988
Pastor Moehring accepted a call to Christ Lutheran Church in Richmond, VA.
1989
Pastor Honeycutt began his service at St. John and was installed February 12.
1990, March
St. John now has used all three settings of the liturgy reflecting the entire church.
1990, July
The first Beartree Service, an outdoor service, was conducted. A new mission statement was approved for our congregation.
1991Weekly communion began. The font was moved to the entrance of the nave to visually reinforce our entry into Life through baptism.
1992
Fred Crumley’s tenth anniversary as organist was recognized.
1992, January
1992, January
The Ecumenical Community Outreach-ECO-began with St. John Lutheran Church in order to serve the food, shelter, and transportation needs of the community.
1992, March
The first I-Talent Night event was conducted by the Senior Youth Group to raise money for their mission work.
1992, October
The first CROP walk to raise money to help stop hunger, was endorsed by St.
John with many of our members participating.
1993, March
McKinney-Boyd Architect, the architects for yet another expansion project, received information and “wish lists” from members.
1993
ECO opened a food pantry to distribute donated food to the needy.
1994
The building campaign titled “Grace, Growth, and Gratitude: Building for Mission” began.
1995, March
The parsonage that had served our pastors so well was for sale. It was first offered to congregation members for purchase before being placed on the open market.
1996
A congregational meeting was held and the Harold Kistner Building Company was awarded the expansion contract. A mortgage burning ceremony was held in the church yard in recognition of a paid debt on the previous building project. A ground-breaking ceremony for the building of our larger worship space was then held.
1997
Small group forums were in abundance in the New Year. The Bible Bowl Olympics were held this year during an international Sunday School event.
1997, June
The congregation voted to purchase the Glover property that lies adjacent to our back property line.
1997, November
In a special departure service held in the “old sanctuary,” St. John’s services moved to our new worship space where we began a new chapter in St. John’s history.
1998, April
Completion of the new sanctuary and building additions. “Festival Service of Dedication” was held to celebrate the beginning of worship services in the new space.
1998, September
The Lutheran Church Child Development Ministry opens its doors to 45 three and four year olds.
1999
World Hunger/ELCA Disaster Response giving continues to be at the very top of all congregations in Virginia Synod.
1999
A dedication celebration of the new electronic organ was conducted.
1999, November
Small group ministries continue with five to nine people gathering for spiritual growth, support, and outreach. Groups include, Hunger, Catechumenal, Prayer, Icon, and Spiritual Disciplines
1999, October
The St. John Quilters are organized and begin meeting bi-monthly to sew quilts to be shared with those in need in the community and beyond.
2000, August
The St. John website: www.abingdonlutheran.org is established as a new method of communication of events, newsletters, and sermons.
2000
A Long Range Planning committee is established with the focus of exploring moving from a “pastor- centered” congregation to a “response-oriented” one. Informal cottage meetings are held and a plan is presented to council.
2001, August
Fifteen youth and adults travel to Guatemala for cultural immersion and service work. Ascension Lutheran Church in Quetzaltenango and Pastor Igacio Chan welcome the youth and make the trip memorable. Youth lead a six week Sunday School series sharing their experiences upon their return.
2001, October
A Hymn Festival Service “Commit Your Way to the Lord” is held to dedicate the organ to the “Glory of God” and in memory of longtime organist, Fred Crumley, Jr.
2001, December
The VDOT/Main Street road project is completed in front of the church which leads to doubling the capacity of the upper parking lot and new landscaping.
2002, Janurary
After 14 years of ministry, Pastor Frank Honeycutt accepts the call to serve as pastor of Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Columbia, SC.
2002, April
The Evangelism Committee produces a “St. John Informational Video” to share ministries and church activities with visitors and potential members.
2003
The Reverend Melissa Chapell is called to serve as interim pastor.
2003
The St. John Cookbook featuring recipes which follow the litungical calendar is polished and sold to purchase the lighting fixtures in the fellowship hall.
2003, December
The Call Committee announces its primary candidate, The Reverend Kent Peterson to the congregation. In January, he visits with his family and conducts worship.
2004, January
Pastor Kent Peterson accepts the call. He and his wife, Karen, and daughter, Kelsey are welcomed to Abingdon in the spring.
2005
New