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St. John's Windish Evangelical
Lutheran Church was founded in
1910 by immigrants from a region of what is now modern day Slovenia in the
former Yugoslavia. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, this ethnic group is
known as the "Windish".
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Pre-1910 |
The first Windish
Lutheran immigrants worshipped at
St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Bethlehem.
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1910 |
St. John's Evangelical
Lutheran Slovenian Church was organized under the Rev. William R.
Lambert.
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1910-1914 |
Rev. Lambert served as
Pastor. He learned Windish in order to minister to his people
more effectively.
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1914-1956 |
Rev. Dr. Ernest A.
Steigler served as Pastor. A native of Hungary, he, too, learned
Windish and conducted services in English, Windish, and Hungarian. For many years the congregation maintained a parish
school in which the children learned both English and Windish (taught
by
Rev. Steigler). During his service, the congregation also
organized an insurance society granting sick and death benefits (known
as the Windish Sick and Beneficial Society).
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1916 |
The congregation
dedicated its new house of worship.
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1923 |
A home for the parish
education teacher was added.
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1925 |
A summer picnic grove,
St. John's Park, was acquired. This was the site of many grape
festivals through the years.
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1951-1989 |
Rev. Dr. Frank Flisser
served as Assistant Pastor until the retirement of Rev. Steigler in
1956, then as Pastor. He learned Windish and conducted services in English, Windish,
and Hungarian.
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1954 |
The Christian Education
Building was constructed.
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1976-1986 |
The Rev. Ralph Hartzell
served as Assistant Pastor in cooperation with Rev. Flisser.
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1989 |
The Rev. Robert Williams
served as Interim Pastor following the retirement of Rev. Flisser.
Tragically, he was killed in an automobile accident on December 23rd
as the congregation was preparing to call him as its Pastor.
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1990-
2013 |
The Rev. Dr. Gary J.
Langensiepen began his ministry at
St. John's on June 4th.
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2004-2005 |
Restoration of Nave
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2006 |
"New Beginnings"
Committee was formed to plan for the 100th Anniversary of St. John's
in 2010. Roast Beef Dinner on October 29 was kick-off for this
multi-year celebration.
Restoration of Exterior of Church
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2014-
2023 |
The Rev.
Suzanne M. Trump began her ministry at
St. John's on July 16. |
True to its traditions and the reasons
for which it was founded,
St. John's continued to serve the ethnic Windish
community of Bethlehem, and the people whose ancestors came from
Slovenia continued to find a home at St. John's. However, in recent years the congregation has sought
ways to broaden its scope of ministry to become more inclusive.
Proud of the role that historically she has played in the development of
the community on the southside of our city, St. John's now seeks new ways
to share its ministry with its neighborhood. Thus, in some ways,
this large congregation of nearly 1,000 members is a congregation in
transition seeking new ways to minister in Christ's name to both its
traditional Windish constituents, as well as to those outside of that
tradition.
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Sons of the Congregation to Enter Ministry |
| Rev. Stephen Ballek, ordained in 1937, died in
1950. |
| Rev. Charles Kercsmar, S.T.M., ordained in 1944,
retired. |
| Rev. F. Peter Muhr, ordained in 1967. |
| Rev. Jimmy Lee Werley, ordained in 1978. |
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Church Musicians |
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Pre-1970 |
| Ida Steigler,
Organist/Choir Director, wife of Rev. Steigler |
| Margaret Banfi, Organist/Choir Director |
| Helen Unger, Organist |
| 1970 to present |
| Maryanne Dedekind,
Director of Music, 1970 to 1990 |
| Frank E. Podleiszek,
Choir Director |
| James H. Long,
Minister of Music, 1991 - 2023 |
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