Established in 1873, St. John’s Evangelical Free Church, initially called the Evangelical Church of St. John’s of America, proudly claims to be one of the first German-speaking churches in North Minneapolis. Its members also take pride in being “very active in the interest of the city’s civic welfare as well as the spiritual welfare” (WPA records, 1936). The Evangelical Free movement was formed to attract Pietistic Germans who were dissatisfied with the formal Lutheran Church. The congregation’s first church erected at 16th Avenue and 3rd Street North was dedicated in 1873. Fifteen years later it was demolished and a new church was erected on the site where it remained throughout the period when the neighborhood underwent religious and racial changes. It is of interest to note, however, that the parsonage was located at 1307 24th Ave. North, not next door to the church as was usually the case.