Established May 28, 1883, by primarily German residents, this congregation was the first Lutheran church in the Twin Cities to use the English language from its beginning. In 1881, prior to the formation of the congregation, one Dr. W. A. Passavant bought a church building from the Swedish, Augustana Lutheran congregation and moved it to a lot he owned on 5th Street and 8th Avenue, South. This became the initial home of the congregation. In 1891, they built a church at Chicago Avenue and 17th Street, dedicating it on February 20, 18895. In 1925, the congregation merged with that of St. James Lutheran and erected a new church at 10 West 49th Street., dedicating it in February 1927. The congregation remains extant at this location in the 21st century.
- WPA Report, G. Wallace, 1936-37. St. John's Lutheran website: http://www.stjohnsmpls.org/st-johns-lutheran-church-history/ Atwater, Isaac. History of the City of Minneapolis. Minneapolis: Munsell, 1893. P. 231.