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The history of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church dates back to the year 1859 when a small group of German settlers came to Boscobel, so named because of the beautiful grove of trees and surrounding scenery. Most of the land in the area was government property and sold for 50 cents an acre. Roads were few, but in 1859 Rev. Wachtel of Muscoda working as a circuit preacher (mostly on foot) served the German people in Boscobel and Fennimore for 8 years. It was under his guidance that St. John's Lutheran Church in Boscobel was organized on February 23, 1867. By June 8th it was decided to build a church which was a 24x40 foot frame structure that cost $1200.
The following year the Rev. J. List was called and he served for 3 years. He was succeeded by Rev. J. Hirschmann, but because of poor health he was followed by Rev. Hertel who served as vicar for 6 months. In 1873 Rev. Helbig came and pastored for 6 years. The Rev. F. Mutschmann arrived in 1879 and served the St. John's congregation for 28 years. German was spoken exclusively, but as the need for English became more apparent, his son Rev. Ernest Mutschmann came for several years to aid in the English portion of the ministry. Good Friday services were in German as late as 1930 as were alternative services.
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Rev. Hannemann was called in 1907 and served for 3 years after which the Rev. E. A. Kurtz was the pastor. In 1913 construction of the present church was begun with native stone from local quarries. The floor plan was cruciform and the general architectural style Gothic. The stained glass windows contain artistic reproduction from paintings by great masters and are in the style of Tiffany. The cornerstone ceremonies were held June 29, 1913 and it was completed, dedicated and formally opened May 1, 1914.
On January 1, 1922 Rev. F. W. Landdeck came to serve the congregation, and a new parsonage with built that same year. His dedicated ministry spanned more than 35 years and saw continued growth at St. John's. He retired from the active ministry on June 30, 1957. after which his son Rev. Fred J. Landdeck assumed the leadership until May 30, 1962. At that time a home located to the south of the church was purchased for use as a parsonage. Rev. Arlin H. Adams was called to fill the vacancy and he established his mark on the congregation from September 1, 1962 until May 31, 1964.
July 26, 1964 the Rev. Paul F. Andersen and family came to St. John's, and for several years it became obvious that the facilities had been outgrown, and it was necessary to provide additional space for the various phases of parish work. The 1922 parsonage/Sunday school building was sold for removal. In its place ground breaking ceremonies were held April 16, 1967 for an educational unit and connecting wing to the church, and the cornerstone was laid July 30, 1967. Upon its completion, church services were held in the new Fellowship Hall of the unit while the church was remodeled. Easter Sunday April 15, 1968 services were resumed in the church proper. Dedication ceremonies were held on June 2, 1968.
In December of 1972 the Sanger property adjacent to the new education unit was purchased for future needs and was used in 1976 when a parsonage was built on that location.
There has been active ladies' organizations through the years from Ladies' Aid, Concordia Society, Easter Division Aid to the ALCW and present WELCA Circles, and Bible studies. Stewardship projects have always been emphasized. At one time there was an active Lutheran Brotherhood men's group, but now there is a monthly men's breakfast. Guidance and spiritual education for people of all ages is provided by Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Youth leagues, our affiliate Sugar Creek Bible Camp and the Sunday Adult Forums.
The American Lutheran Church became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America in 1987 and this national merger put St. John's in the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin amidst the restructuring. That same year the women produced the cookbook "Family Favorites Shared With You" Vol. 2, The church interior was refurbished, and a bequest of air conditioning added to the comfort of the newly painted sanctuary in 1988.
In October of 1990 the Rev. Paul F. Andersen retired, and he and his wife Sarah moved to Decorah, Iowa after having faithfully served and nurtured the families of the congregation for 26 years. They left a legacy of stewardship and mission outreach.
The months and years that followed were transitional ones with many changes occurring. Interim pastors Burkum and Sterner served until Rev. Bruce Burnside was called and installed April 21, 1991. June 16th of that year a lovely stained glass window designed and executed by Denis and Janine Daniels was dedicated in the narthex. it was to commemorate the forty years of service of Rev. Fred W. and Rev. Fred J. Landdeck.
A musical program ChristmasFest was presented in December 1991 by an ecumenical group representing various area churches...It has become an annual event.
In 1992 a new front sign was added as a memorial to Mabel Molldrem, and St. John's began preparations for their 125th anniversary. With banners, mugs, plates, pictorial and musical memories we remembered "Always a New Journey in Christ's Love".
Rev. Burnside and Cynthia left in 1993 and interim pastors Splett and Wascher filled the pulpit and assumed pastoral duties. The congregation voted in 1994 to provide access to the church by adding an elevator and a second story coffee area connecting the elevator to the church proper. By the time construction has begun the Rev. Charles W. Koester and family had arrived to St. John's and Rev. Charles W. Koester retired in July of 2018.
St. John's has a history of excellent music with Senior and Youth choirs whose members and directors give of their time and talent to enrich services. The ability to praise the Lord through music was enhanced with the gift of bells in 1992 as a memorial to Mark Bender, which allowed a Bell Choir to be established and added to the musical groups. An augmented keyboard was given in November of 1995 as a memorial to Frances Salzgeber, and bell accessories in memory of Shirlee Griswold were added in November 1997. Coupled with excellent organists, joyful sounds of praise echo through the church.
St. John's has had faithful and dedicated pastors through the years, and under their guidance has grown in membership and service. A number of young men from the congregation became ministers: Ernest Mutschmann, Carl Heller, Henry Kurtz, Carl E. Boebel, Herbert Landdeck, Fred J. Landdeck, William Gebhard, Allen Schoonover and Alan Oman. Also Claire Gunderson served as a deaconess. In its early years St. John's pastors were permitted to hold services at Fennimore, Cobb, Stitzer, Bagley and Wauzeka thus promoting the development of other Lutheran congregations in the area. This spirit continued through a mission partnership with Grace Lutheran Church of East Dubuque IL. which was established in 1986.
Throughout the autumn of 1996 and summer of 1997 the memorial garden and landscaping were expanded to beautify the grounds and to make St. John's both a haven of serenity and a place of vitality from which the Gospel and service pour forth.
In December of 1972 the Sanger property adjacent to the new education unit was purchased for future needs and was used in 1976 when a parsonage was built on that location.
There has been active ladies' organizations through the years from Ladies' Aid, Concordia Society, Easter Division Aid to the ALCW and present WELCA Circles, and Bible studies. Stewardship projects have always been emphasized. At one time there was an active Lutheran Brotherhood men's group, but now there is a monthly men's breakfast. Guidance and spiritual education for people of all ages is provided by Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Youth leagues, our affiliate Sugar Creek Bible Camp and the Sunday Adult Forums.
The American Lutheran Church became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America in 1987 and this national merger put St. John's in the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin amidst the restructuring. That same year the women produced the cookbook "Family Favorites Shared With You" Vol. 2, The church interior was refurbished, and a bequest of air conditioning added to the comfort of the newly painted sanctuary in 1988.
In October of 1990 the Rev. Paul F. Andersen retired, and he and his wife Sarah moved to Decorah, Iowa after having faithfully served and nurtured the families of the congregation for 26 years. They left a legacy of stewardship and mission outreach.
The months and years that followed were transitional ones with many changes occurring. Interim pastors Burkum and Sterner served until Rev. Bruce Burnside was called and installed April 21, 1991. June 16th of that year a lovely stained glass window designed and executed by Denis and Janine Daniels was dedicated in the narthex. it was to commemorate the forty years of service of Rev. Fred W. and Rev. Fred J. Landdeck.
A musical program ChristmasFest was presented in December 1991 by an ecumenical group representing various area churches...It has become an annual event.
In 1992 a new front sign was added as a memorial to Mabel Molldrem, and St. John's began preparations for their 125th anniversary. With banners, mugs, plates, pictorial and musical memories we remembered "Always a New Journey in Christ's Love".
Rev. Burnside and Cynthia left in 1993 and interim pastors Splett and Wascher filled the pulpit and assumed pastoral duties. The congregation voted in 1994 to provide access to the church by adding an elevator and a second story coffee area connecting the elevator to the church proper. By the time construction has begun the Rev. Charles W. Koester and family had arrived to St. John's and Rev. Charles W. Koester retired in July of 2018.
St. John's has a history of excellent music with Senior and Youth choirs whose members and directors give of their time and talent to enrich services. The ability to praise the Lord through music was enhanced with the gift of bells in 1992 as a memorial to Mark Bender, which allowed a Bell Choir to be established and added to the musical groups. An augmented keyboard was given in November of 1995 as a memorial to Frances Salzgeber, and bell accessories in memory of Shirlee Griswold were added in November 1997. Coupled with excellent organists, joyful sounds of praise echo through the church.
St. John's has had faithful and dedicated pastors through the years, and under their guidance has grown in membership and service. A number of young men from the congregation became ministers: Ernest Mutschmann, Carl Heller, Henry Kurtz, Carl E. Boebel, Herbert Landdeck, Fred J. Landdeck, William Gebhard, Allen Schoonover and Alan Oman. Also Claire Gunderson served as a deaconess. In its early years St. John's pastors were permitted to hold services at Fennimore, Cobb, Stitzer, Bagley and Wauzeka thus promoting the development of other Lutheran congregations in the area. This spirit continued through a mission partnership with Grace Lutheran Church of East Dubuque IL. which was established in 1986.
Throughout the autumn of 1996 and summer of 1997 the memorial garden and landscaping were expanded to beautify the grounds and to make St. John's both a haven of serenity and a place of vitality from which the Gospel and service pour forth.
