The History of St. John’s
As early as 1740, a group of Lutherans in Northern Lebanon County worshiped in a small log cabin known as the Swatara Church until it was burned down by Indians in 1757. A portion of this congregation relocated in Fredericksburg. In 1766 a tract of land was deeded to the St. John’s German Lutheran Congregation, and in 1767 the church was erected.
In 1820, it was decided to build a union church in which both Lutheran and Reformed congregations would share with equal rights and privileges. This church was built on the same site as the first church.
In 1881, this second church was torn down to erect a larger church. This is the building that is currently still in use. The bell in the steeple is from the former church. The lower floor was completed in 1892, and the upstairs sanctuary was completed in 1925.
In 1923 St. John’s and Zoar (along with Zion Lutheran Church of the East Penn Synod) decided to form a union and to then be known as the Mt. Zion United Lutheran Parish. This parish relationship still exists today.
In 1970, the St. John’s Reformed congregation moved to a different building and the Lutherans remained at this site.
In 1988, St. John’s was severely damaged by a fire. The decision was made to stay at this site and to renovate the facility. As a result, a new kitchen, choir space, and meeting room were added.
In 1991, St. John’s Lutheran Church celebrated their 225th anniversary.
In 2000, a Carillon was installed in the church.
