By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
A cornerstone of Okarche, the church has stood for more than 100 years.
It is the oldest Lutheran establishment in what is now Oklahoma
The St. John’s Lutheran Church, with its towering parapets and the three arched entryways to the wooden front doors was completed and opened in 1922. The church opened to the first Lutheran congregation in what was then the Unassigned Lands.
Back in 1924, a new Lutheran district was created in what would become the state of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod denomination was established at a convention at the Okarche church in May 1924. The centennial of that momentous occasion was celebrated May 19 at a special church service this year at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche.
Another monumental landmark was reached this year as well.
The historical high
The church is now on the National Register of Historic Places. The announcement has been made by the Oklahoma Historical Society and the State Historic Preservation Office.
The church at 408 Colorado Ave.
This year the state of Oklahoma proclamation recognized the 100th anniversary of the Lutheran denomination in the state. The Town of Okarche has also proclaimed May 19 as St. John’s Lutheran Day.
The establishment of the church predates Oklahoma statehood that came in 1907.
St. John’s was established in 1892, about 42 miles northwest of what would be downtown Oklahoma City.
The cost to build the church in the early 1890s was reportedly $55,000. It is described as Gothic-revival architecture.
Kim Ahlden has been the church leader who helped land the historic registry listing. She spent two years working on getting the church on the list.
She was part of the three major events celebrated May 19, the first Lutheran denomination being organized in a wooden building in 1892 before statehood, the opening of the building in 1922 and the 100th anniversary of the Lutheran-Missouri Synod establishment.
St. John’s was presented with a bronze plaque commemorating the high honor. The Oklahoma Historical Society has presented certificates designating St. John’s as a new listing in their records.
Ahlden explained that the church hired the Reagan Smith Company to help manage the efforts to get the church on the historic registry.
“We could not have done anything without them,” Ahlden said.
Also to commemorate the occasion, St. John’s placed a 12-foot granite cross in the front lawn. The cross features a Luther rose medallion at the center of the cross and sits on a pedestal inscribed with “He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia”.
A 5-foot matching bench accompanies the cross. These were dedicated at the ceremony May 19. St. John’s builders for Christ, a group of men from St. John’s, helped the contractor build the church and later traveled to help build other churches in the area. Today, the original altar, organ, bell, windows, pulpit, and pews remain a testament to the vision and loving efforts of that faithful congregation over 100 years ago.
Also, the church bell was cast in 1921 at the Stuckstede Bell Foundry Company in St. Louis for $130. Weighing in at 3,000 pounds, consider what it took to raise and mount the bell in St. John’s 66-foot-tall bell tower. Oxen tied to ropes and pulleys hoisted the bell into place. A striking painting “The Lord’s Ascension into Heaven” graces a recessed area of the wall next to the pulpit.
About 700 people attended the service May 19.
It was given as a memorial to H. W. Schröder by his wife in 1937. Among St. John’s 24 stained-glass windows are three breathtaking depictions of Jesus that captivate visitors: Jesus in Gethsemane; Jesus the Good Shepherd; and Jesus Knocking at the Door.
The Rev. Joel Heckmann, pastor of St. John’s, is quoted in a news release from the district that reads, “The people of St. John’s treasure the honors bestowed on us by the National Register of Historic Places and the Oklahoma Historical Society. We envision many future generations worshipping in the beautiful church with which we are blessed.”
