Our History

First St John was Founded in 1861

1861

First St John founded

A picture taken in 1890 of First St John Lutheran Church showing (from left to right) the Old Folks & Orphans Home, First St. John Lutheran, and the parsonage.

Images from the past

1904

Still looks so much the same, even though the surrounding areas have seen profound changes … that spire, along with the one of SS. Peter & Paul on the next block, now cozy up to I-75; together one of Toledo’s memorable skyline landmarks. The finial atop the spire has been replaced with a cross..

The church underwent a major renovation at around the time of their 75th anniversary. I don’t know at what point the canopy over the pulpit was removed and the murals on the ceiling sadly covered over … but the quatrefoil windows were replaced with the drop-dead gorgeous imported German stained-glass windows that the church boasts to this day; as well as the wonderful angel lectern, and an altar that is larger than the one in this photo.

The parish house still stands and is used for the church offices (although the house to the left is long gone. That’s part of the parking lot now).

The Toledo Orphanage also still stands, with the doorway facing directly toward the apse of the church. However, it no longer looks like this. It hasn’t been used as a school since the 1960’s.