In 1916, a group of German immigrants from the Volga Colonies of Russia met to discuss the founding of a congregation. St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Greeley, Colorado was formed and became a member congregation of the Evangelical Synod of North America. In 1934, this denomination of German background congregations became a part of the Evangelical and Reformed Church which in 1957 united with the Congregational Christian Churches to form the United Church of Christ.
Fifty families formed the foundation of St. John’s and in the unbelievably short span of three months, completed and dedicated the church building located at Fourth Avenue and Eleventh Street. It provided space for worship, education and fellowship for 53 years.
As the membership of St. John’s grew, the building on 4th Avenue could no longer accommodate everyone comfortably. In 1965, the church council voted to purchase land for a future building site. In March of 1966, 10 acres were purchased at 20th Street and 38th Avenue at a price of $2,500 per acre. Estimated cost of the completed building was $250,000. Rev. Samuel Foos was the pastor during this period of growth and relocation.
A building program was undertaken by St. John’s and a building permit was issued in March of 1969. The ground breaking ceremony followed soon after.
The old church was sold and the cornerstone for the new church building was laid in September 1969. Dedication and occupation of the new building occurred in December of that year.
