St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Corning, Missouri) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and Parochial School
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St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church circa 1894
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 Location in Missouri
Location in the United States
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| Location | 112 Walters Street, Corning, Missouri |
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| Built | 1893 |
| Architect | Rev. John Proft; Peter Thull |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 07001339 |
| Added to NRHP | January 4, 2008 |
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church is an old and important church in Corning, Missouri. It is a Lutheran church, which is a type of Christian church. This church was started by people who followed specific beliefs of the Lutheran faith. Later, it joined a larger group called the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS).
This church and its school building were added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 4, 2008. This means they are recognized as important historical sites. In 2011, a big flood from the Missouri River badly damaged the building. Now, the St. John's Historical Society owns it and is working to fix it up.
Contents
History of St. John's Church
How the Church Started
The church began in the spring of 1860. It was founded by German immigrants who moved to Northwest Missouri. They called their group "Deutsch Evangelish Lutheraner St. Johannes." In October 1860, they built their first church. It was a wooden building, sometimes called the "Church in the Timber." This first church was near the Missouri River, about two miles from Corning.
Building the Current Church and School
By 1872, the church community had grown too large for the first building. So, they bought land in Corning where the church stands today. The brick church building you see now was built in 1893. A builder named Pete Thull from Rock Port, Missouri constructed it. This building has been used ever since.
A small, one-room schoolhouse was built behind the church in 1912. This school taught classes in the German language until 1917. Later, in 1953, a parish hall was added to the church.
Surviving Floods
The church has faced many challenges, including big floods. It survived major floods in 1951 and 1993. However, a very severe flood in 2011 caused a lot of damage. The church is currently being restored after this flood.
What the Church Looks Like Inside and Out
Church Design and Windows
The brick church building has a special design called Gothic Revival. It is shaped like a Latin cross when you look down from above. This design includes a narthex (entrance area), a nave (main seating area), transepts (arms of the cross), and a choir area. The windows are tall and pointed, which is a common feature of Gothic Revival churches.
The beautiful stained glass windows were put in during 1943. They were made with blue glass from Czechoslovakia. These windows show many important Christian symbols. You can see the Luther rose, which is a symbol for Lutherans. There is also an eagle in a boiling pot, which represents St. John. Other symbols include a crown of thorns, a throne, a Bible, and the Ark of the Covenant.
Inside the Church
Inside the church, you can find the original pipe organ. It has hand-painted designs on it. There are also three large paintings, called murals. One mural shows Christ as the Good Shepherd. Another shows Jesus teaching near the Sea of Galilee. The third mural shows a picture of Heaven.
The church also has a tall, white wooden altar and pulpit. This structure rises 24 feet from the floor. It features a large, handmade picture of the Kingdom of Heaven, as described in the Book of Revelation.
External links
- LCMS congregation profile
