St. John's Lutheran Church was organized in March of 1873 by the Reverend Charles Young and thirteen charter members. First services were held above the Tressin Hardware Store located at 200 N. Santa Fe. A year later the congregation moved to "the little mission church around the corner” in the 100 block of North 7th Street.
As membership grew, a new church would be built at 200 S. Santa Fe. To fund the construction, Pastor A. J. Hartsock created a "Buy My Bricks" campaign, raising over $10,000 by selling red cardboard bricks for ten cents. The church was dedicated in 1881 and served the congregation for thirty-five years.
The present red brick Gothic style church at 302 S. 7th was dedicated in March of 1917. The congregation met at the old church on Santa Fe Avenue and marched together to the new building for the first worship service.
